Taramakau River
| Taramakau River | |
|---|---|
View westwards from near Jacksons | |
Route of the Taramakau River | |
| Etymology | From Kāi Tahu Māori: tere – to flow, and makau – curve or bend |
| Native name | Teremakau (Māori) |
| Location | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | West Coast Region |
| District | Westland District |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Harper Pass |
| • location | Southern Alps / Kā Tiritiri o te Moana |
| • coordinates | 42°44′07″S 171°52′56″E / 42.735303°S 171.882091°E |
| • elevation | 1,220 m (4,000 ft) |
| Mouth | Kumara Junction |
• location | Tasman Sea |
• coordinates | 42°33′56″S 171°07′30″E / 42.565614°S 171.125064°E |
• elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Length | 75 kilometres (47 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Otehake River, Ōtira River, Taipo River, Big Wainihinihi River |
| • right | Michael Creek, Taverners Creek, Rubieslaw Creek, Greenstone River / Hokonui |
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The Taramakau River is a river of the West Coast Region of the South Island of New Zealand. It rises in the Southern Alps / Kā Tiritiri o te Moana near Harper Pass, 80 kilometres (50 mi) due east of Hokitika, and runs westward for 75 kilometres (47 mi) into the Tasman Sea 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) south of Greymouth.
The Taramakau River forms the administrative boundary between the Westland District to the south and the Grey District to the north.
Several small rivers are tributaries of the Taramakau. The largest of upper tributaries are the Otehake River and the Ōtira River. The valley of the Ōtira forms the western approach to Arthur's Pass. The Taipo River is a major tributary joining the Taramakau from the south, downstream of Inchbonnie.