Wairaurāhiri River

River in New Zealand

46°04′42″S 167°17′02″E / 46.0782°S 167.284°E / -46.0782; 167.284 • elevation157 m (515 ft) Mouth

• location

Foveaux Strait

• coordinates

46°15′44″S 167°12′57″E / 46.2621°S 167.2157°E / -46.2621; 167.2157

• elevation

0 m (0 ft)Length27 km (17 mi)Basin featuresProgressionWairaurāhiri River → Foveaux StraitTributaries • leftWaitapu Stream, Kaikokopu Stream, Waikakapo Stream, Wairere Stream, Kaituna Stream • rightRata Burn

The Wairaurāhiri River is a river in southern Fiordland, New Zealand, draining Lake Hauroko into the sea. Many boats have got into trouble along its length, as the river flows quite quickly with grade-3 rapids, so the main boats that use the river are commercial jetboats.^[1] There is a 157-metre (515 ft) drop from the source at Lake Hauroko to the mouth, which empties into Foveaux Strait.^[2]

There is an active stoat and rat trapping program set up along the length of the river and maintained by locals.^[3] Possums were plentiful in the area as early as 1900.^[4]

References

^ "Wairaurahiri Jet - Wairaurahiri Jet". Wjet.co.nz. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
^ Shirley Whyte (14 November 2012). "Jet boats strike trouble on Wairaurahiri River". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
^ "Wairaurahiri Jet - Wairaurahiri Jet". Wjet.co.nz. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
^ "ROUND ABOUT PRESERVATION. (Otago Witness, 1900-06-14)". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 24 June 2018.