Lake Poteriteri

{{Short description|Large lake in Fiordland National Park in New Zealand's South Island}}

{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}

{{Infobox body of water

| name = Lake Poteriteri

| native_name = {{lang|mi|Potiritiri}}

| image = Lake poteriteri.jpg

| caption = Lake Poteriteri

| alt = Lake Poteriteri

| image_bathymetry =

| caption_bathymetry =

|image_map = {{Infobox mapframe |point=none|shape-fill-opacity=0|stroke-width=1|stroke-color=#0000ff|zoom=8}}

|pushpin_map=New Zealand South Island

| pushpin_map_alt = Location of Lake Poteriteri

| location = Fiordland, Southland District, North Island

| coords = {{Coord|-46.02|167.114|region:NZ_type:waterbody|display=inline,title}}

| type =

| inflow = Princess Burn

| outflow = Waitutu River

| catchment =

| basin_countries = New Zealand

| length = {{convert|28|km|abbr=on}}

| width =

| area = {{convert|43|km2|abbr=on}}

| depth = {{convert|113.1|m|abbr=on}}

| max-depth =

| volume = {{convert|4.86|km3|abbr=on}}

| residence_time =

| shore =

| elevation = {{convert|30|m|abbr=on}}

| islands =

| cities =

}}

Lake Poteriteri is the southernmost of the large lakes in Fiordland National Park in New Zealand's South Island. Only Lakes Hakapoua and Innes lie further south on the southern of New Zealand's two main islands. It is located {{convert|40|km}} to the west of the town of Tuatapere.

Lying in a steep-sided mountain valley, Poteriteri runs roughly north–south for a distance of {{convert|28|km}} with an average width of under {{convert|2|km}}. It covers an area of {{convert|43|sqkm}}. The outflow of Poteriteri is the Waitutu River, a short {{convert|8|km}} river which flows into the western end of Foveaux Strait.

The naming of the lake is unclear. The Māori word may mean 'to drift forwards and backwards', with another theory that the spelling of the lake should be Poutiritiri, which would translate as a 'post on which offerings are hung'. A third theory is that the spelling should be Poeteretere, in which case it would mean 'dripping wet'.{{cite book |last = Reed |first = A. W. |authorlink = Alexander Wyclif Reed |title = Place Names of New Zealand |year = 2010 |publisher = Raupo |location = Rosedale, North Shore |isbn = 9780143204107 |editor = Peter Dowling |page = 322}}

Access to the lake is via helicopter, a rough deer trail from Slaughter Burn or Harry's Track, a marked route from the outlet of Lake Hauroko.