Wairaurāhiri River

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]

Wairaurāhiri River
Mouth of the Wairaurāhiri River
Route of the Wairaurāhiri River
Mouth of the Wairaurāhiri River Show map of New Zealand Wairaurāhiri River (South Island) Show map of South Island
Location
Country	New Zealand
Physical characteristics
Source	Lake Hauroko
• coordinates	46°04′42″S 167°17′02″E
• elevation	157 m (515 ft)
Mouth
• location	Foveaux Strait
• coordinates	46°15′44″S 167°12′57″E
• elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Length	27 km (17 mi)
Basin features
Progression	Wairaurāhiri River → Foveaux Strait
Tributaries
• left	Waitapu Stream, Kaikokopu Stream, Waikakapo Stream, Wairere Stream, Kaituna Stream
• right	Rata Burn

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]