| Mataura River | |
|---|---|
 TheMataura Paper Mill operated on the river until 2000 | |
 | |
| Native name | Mataura (Māori) |
| Location | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Southland |
| Towns | Athol,Gore,Mataura,Wyndham |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Mataura Saddle |
| • location | Eyre Mountains |
| • coordinates | 45°18′58″S168°25′12″E / 45.31611°S 168.42000°E /-45.31611; 168.42000 |
| Mouth | Toetoes Bay |
• location | Pacific Ocean |
• coordinates | 46°34′S168°43′E / 46.567°S 168.717°E /-46.567; 168.717 |
• elevation | Sea level |
| Length | 240 km (150 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Nokomai River,Waikaia River,Mokoreta River |
TheMataura River is in theSouthland Region of theSouth Island ofNew Zealand. It is 240 kilometres (150 mi) long.
The river's headwaters are located in the Eyre Mountains to the south ofLake Wakatipu. From there it flows southeast towardsGore, where it turns southward. It then passes through the town ofMataura, and enters thePacific Ocean atToetoes Bay on the southern coast of the South Island. Much of its channel isbraided.
The Mataura is renowned as a source ofbrown trout, and is a popular fishing venue, including whitebaiting. It has been identified as anImportant Bird Area byBirdLife International because it supports breeding colonies of theendangeredblack-billed gull.[1]
Until about 18,000 years ago the Mataura drainedLake Wakatipu. TheKingston Flyer follows part of the former river bed, now blocked by glacial moraine.[2]
ForMāori, the Mataura was an importantara tawhito (traditional travel route) that provided direct access from Murihiku to Whakatipu Waimāori (Lake Wakatipu).[3] The Mataura was a significantkāinga mahinga kai (food-gathering place) for localKāi Tahu, and was tribally renowned for its abundance ofkanakana (lamprey,Geotria australis). Kanakana are normally caught when climbing natural waterfalls, such as Te Au-nui-pihapiha-kanakana (Mataura Falls).
The Mataura, along with the three other main Southland rivers, theWaiau,Ōreti andAparima, breached during theSouthland floods of January 1984. Commercial and residential areas of the town of Mataura were particularly affected, including the pulp and paper plant.
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