Palliser Bay

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

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

{{Infobox body of water

| name = Palliser Bay

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| image = Cape Palliser coast.jpg

| alt = coastline in Palliser Bay

| caption = Typical coastline in Palliser Bay

| image_bathymetry = NZ-Palliser B.png

| bathymetry_size = 200px

| alt_bathymetry = Location of Palliser Bay

| caption_bathymetry = Location of Palliser Bay

| location = North Island

| group =

| coordinates = {{coord|41|25|S|175|05|E|region:NZ_type:waterbody|display=title,inline}}

| type = Bay

| etymology =

| part_of = Cook Strait/Pacific Ocean

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| basin_countries = New Zealand

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Palliser Bay is at the southern end of the North Island of New Zealand, to the southeast of Wellington. It runs for 40 kilometres along the Cook Strait coast from Turakirae Head at the southern end of the Remutaka Ranges to Cape Palliser, the North Island's southernmost point. The coastline is exposed to the weather and winds.{{cite web|url=http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/wairarapa-places/page-10|title=Wairarapa places - Palliser district'|author=Ben Schrader |website=Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |orig-date= 29 March 2007 |date= 11 Jun 2015 |access-date= 6 August 2022 }}

Inland from the bay is the plain of the Ruamahanga River, which has its outflow in the bay. This river flows through Lake Wairarapa, 10 kilometres from the coast.

There are several notable geographical features in the area, including the Pūtangirua Pinnacles, Kupe's Sail and the Whatarangi Bluff, the erosion of which has had dramatic effects on the coastline. Some of these cliffs are made of mudstone and are therefore easily eroded, and sometimes collapse.