Matiri River

The Matiri River is a river located in the northwest of New Zealand's South Island. The river is in the Tasman Region.

Matiri River
Location
CountryNew Zealand
Physical characteristics
Mouth 
 • location
Buller River
 • coordinates
41°47′S 172°19′E
Length30 km (19 mi)

It runs south for 30 kilometres from its headwaters west of Mount Owen in Kahurangi National Park to its confluence with the Buller River just below the town of Murchison. Halfway along its length, it passes through Lake Matiri.[1] Downstream from Lake Matiri the banks of the river has mixed livestock farming and some small scale forestry. Downstream from Lake Matiri, the Matiri River East Branch and the Matiri River West Branch flow into the Matiri River.[2][3]

Recreation

The river is used for whitewater recreation. It has a tight grade III rapid in a narrow cleft of a gorge a short distance upstream of the road end. There are also two bouldery drops that can only be run in high flows when it may reach grade IV. The river is considered to be best run when the Buller River is too high and dangerous.[4]

A tramping track that starts at the road end runs along the western side of the river.

Hydroelectricity

New Zealand Energy Limited have proposed the Matiri Project hydroelectric power scheme on the river.

References
  1. "Parkmap North-west Nelson Forest Park NZMS274-13 1987". natlib.govt.nz. 1987. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  2. "Place name detail: Matiri River East Branch". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  3. "Place name detail: Matiri River West Branch". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  4. Egarr, Graham (1988). Whitewater River Running in New Zealand. Auckland: Reed Methuen. ISBN 0-474-00302-7.


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