There is a sandbar at the Aparima river mouth that needs careful consideration when coming and going for the fishing boats of Aparima-Riverton. As in other coastal fishing villages, high tide is the better time for the boats to have easy access. Historically, Aparima Māori paddled their waka (canoe) through the mouth and up the river to berth at the tauraka waka (canoe landing) from where this photo was taken.The Aparima kaika (village), just above the tauraka waka, is where the Aparima College and Riverton rugby grounds presently stand.
All the little bays, streams and beaches around the Aparima Estuary had a Māori name which are no longer used or acknowledged. This area is also well known for its pipi and cockle beds.
