The Mangaokewa Stream is a tributary of the Waipa River in the Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island, flowing through the area around Te Kuiti. The stream has two notably different characters depending on the section. The upper reaches pass through an extensive area of native forest and are described as very scenic. Access to this portion is off Mangaokewa Road and from the Mangaokewa Reserve, located just south of Te Kuiti, where a walkway follows the stream for 14 kilometres upstream.

The lower reaches, from Te Kuiti downstream to the confluence with the Waipa River, are slow and sluggish in character, and the water tends to run discoloured. The banks along this section are lined with willows, which restricts access and could present obstacles for paddlers navigating close to shore.

The Mangaokewa Reserve and its associated walkway represent the primary developed access point in the area. Beyond this, access to the upper headwaters crosses private land, and landowner permission is typically required to enter those reaches.

Note that this stream is documented primarily in a fishing context, and paddling-specific details such as put-in and take-out logistics, hazard assessments, flow data, and facilities for paddlers are not well documented in publicly available resources. Paddlers planning a trip should seek current local knowledge before launching.