The Punakitere River is a river of the Northland Region of New Zealand's North Island. It is a tributary of the Taheke River, which forms the Waimā River, though it is longer than the Waimā itself. The Punakitere is polluted, especially with e-coli and phosphorus, and has its origins in several streams which flow through and to the south of Kaikohe, as well as from Mount Hikurangi. The rivers flow predominantly westward to reach the Waimā close to the small settlement of Moehau.

• List of rivers of New Zealand

"Place name detail: Punakitere River". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 12 July 2009.

• Photos - 1902 Taheke Falls, 1910 bridge, 1911 floating logs down the river

35°27′S 173°39′E / 35.450°S 173.650°E / -35.450; 173.650