Kawhātau River

Kawhātau River
Kawhātau River in 1954
Native nameKawhātau (Māori)
Location
RegionManawatū-Whanganui
DistrictRangitikei District
Physical characteristics
SourceOhuinga
  locationRuahine Range
  coordinates39°51′33″S 176°07′50″E / 39.85920°S 176.13065°E / -39.85920; 176.13065
  elevation1686m
MouthRangitīkei River
  coordinates
39°46′27″S 175°48′30″E / 39.77417°S 175.80833°E / -39.77417; 175.80833
  elevation
365m
Length55km
Basin size23,000ha
Basin features
River systemRangitikei River
Tributaries 
  leftPourangaki River

The Kawhātau River is a river of about 55 km (34 mi) in the southwestern North Island of New Zealand. Its source is in the Ruahine Range and its outflow is into the larger Rangitīkei River, which it meets close to Mangaweka. It was given the official name of Kawhātau River in 2020. It is joined by the Pourangaki River at Upper Kawhātau.