Waikōau River

For the North Island watercourse of this name, see Aropaoanui River.

Waikōau River
Swing bridge over Waikōau River, Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track
Route of Waikōau River
Mouth of Waikōau River Show map of Fiordland Waikōau River (South Island) Show map of South Island Waikōau River (New Zealand) Show map of New Zealand
Location
Country	New Zealand
Region	Southland
District	Southland
Physical characteristics
Source
• coordinates	46°05′08″S 167°19′04″E
Mouth
• location	Te Waewae Bay
• coordinates	46°08′59″S 167°26′42″E
• elevation	0 metres (0 ft)
Basin features
Progression	Waikōau River → Te Waewae Bay → Foveaux Strait

The Waikōau River is a river in southern Fiordland, New Zealand. Since 21 June 2019 the official name has been Waikōau River.^[1] Waikōau River North Branch has been the official name of a tributary, which joins the river about a kilometre from the sea, since 19 December 2019.^[2] Rising north of the Hump Ridge, it flows south-eastward into Te Waewae Bay.

The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "waters of the shag" for Waikōau.^[3]

There is also a Waikoau River in Hawke's Bay, which flows into the Aropaoanui River.^[4]

See also

• List of rivers of New Zealand

References

1. "Place name detail: Waikōau River". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
2. "Place name detail: Waikōau River North Branch". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
3. "1000 Māori place names". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 6 August 2019.
4. "Place name detail: Aropaoanui River". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 12 October 2023.

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