Aorere River

{{Short description|River in New Zealand}}

{{Use New Zealand English|date=May 2022}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}

{{Infobox river

| name = Aorere River

| image = Farewell_spit.jpg

| image_size =

| image_caption = The fertile plains around the lower Aorere lie in the lower left of this satellite view, which shows the river's outflow into Golden Bay

| map = {{Maplink|frame=yes|type=line|plain=yes|zoom=9|frame-align=center|frame-width=270|frame-height=270|stroke-color=#0000ff|stroke-width=2}}

| map_size =

| map_caption = Route of the Aorere River

| map_alt =

| subdivision_type1 = Country

| subdivision_name1 = New Zealand

| subdivision_type2 = District

| subdivision_name2 = Tasman

| pushpin_map = New Zealand#New Zealand South Island

| pushpin_map_size = 270px

| pushpin_map_caption = Mouth of the Aorere River

| pushpin_map_alt =

| source1_location = Domett Range

| source1_coordinates = {{coord|-41.0269|172.4212|format=dms|region:NZ_type:river_source:GNS-enwiki|display=inline}}

| source1_elevation =

| mouth_location = Ruataniwha Inlet

| mouth_elevation =

| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|-40.67638|172.66666|format=dms|display=inline,title}}

| length = {{convert|40|km|mi|abbr=on}}

| discharge1_avg =

| basin_size = {{Convert|573|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=https://www.tasman.govt.nz/my-region/environment/environmental-data/river-flow/aorere-at-devils-boots/|title=Aorere at Devils Boots|website= Tasman District Council|access-date=18 January 2024}}

| progression = Aorere River → Ruataniwha Inlet → Golden Bay / Mohua → Tasman Sea

| tributaries_left = Spey, Kaituna

| tributaries_right = Clark, Boulder, Little Boulder, Slate, Little Slate, Snow

| waterfalls = Salisbury Falls

| bridges =

}}

The Aorere River is in the Tasman District of the South Island of New Zealand that flows from headwaters in the alpine regions of the Kahurangi National Park. It has a catchment area of {{Convert|573|km2|abbr=on}}, representing around 11% of the total area of Kahurangi National Park. The river flows generally northwards for {{convert|40|km|mi|abbr=on}} before draining into Golden Bay at the town of Collingwood. The Heaphy Track's northeastern end is in the upper valley of the Aorere.{{Cite web |title=Aorere / West Coast FMU |url=https://tasman.govt.nz/my-region/environment/environmental-management/water/water-management/freshwater-management-units-2/aorere-west-coast-fmu-2/ |access-date=18 January 2024 |website=Tasman District Council}}{{Cite web |title=Aorere/West Coast Surface Water Zone Water Quantity Data |url=https://www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/tasman-region/water-quantity/surface-water-zones/aorerewest-coast-surface-water-zone/ |access-date=18 January 2024 |website=Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA)}}

Tributaries of the Aorere include the Spey, Boulder, and Slate Rivers.

The heaviest storm in 150 years hit the area on 28 December 2010. Two bridges were swept away, including the historic and recently restored Salisbury Swing Bridge.{{refn|{{Cite news |date=29 December 2010 |title=Golden Bay cleans up after worst flood in 150 years |language=en-NZ |work=The New Zealand Herald |agency=New Zealand Press Association |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/golden-bay-cleans-up-after-worst-flood-in-150-years/FDBZ6DWYV3SV6MH2TIPRU5K3SM/ |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=14 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214033514/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/golden-bay-cleans-up-after-worst-flood-in-150-years/FDBZ6DWYV3SV6MH2TIPRU5K3SM/ |archive-date=14 February 2022}}}}