The Whakapapa River originates at Whakapapa skifield on Mount Ruapehu, running down the western slopes of the mountain through Owhango before finally merging with the Whanganui River just east of Kakahi. Peter McIntyre had a home at Kakahi overlooking the confluence of the Whanganui and Whakapapa rivers, and painted several landscapes of the Whakapapa River. Ironically after his death the Whakapapa River undermined the white pumice cliffs where his house was built and claimed the house as its own.