In the early 1800s , the local Karamu Stream was part of the much larger Ngaruroro River system . It was termed the " River Plassey " , the same name also being applied to a street in the village after the battle of Plassey of 1757 near Calcutta . Early survey plans of Havelock North show ferry landings where boats would sail up and down the river to collect and deliver supplies . This practice was phased out in the 1880s , when a number of large floods diverted the Ngaruroro River to its current course further north away from Havelock North . Later , during the 1931 earthquake , a bridge over the Karamu was completely destroyed . Like a number of North Island towns , Havelock North has grown larger than its South Island namesake , Havelock , in the Marlborough Sounds
1931 earthquake
1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake
Havelock North