Wainui River (Tasman)
{{For|other rivers with this name|Wainui River (disambiguation){{!}}Wainui River}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox river
| name = Wainui River
| image = Wainui River on a rainy day.jpg
| image_size =
| image_caption = Wainui River on a rainy day
| map = {{Maplink|frame=yes|type=line|plain=yes|zoom=10|frame-align=center|frame-width=270|frame-height=270|stroke-color=#0000ff|stroke-width=2}}
| map_size =
| map_caption = Route of the Wainui River
| map_alt =
| pushpin_map = New Zealand#New Zealand South Island
| pushpin_map_size = 270px
| pushpin_map_caption = Mouth of the Wainui River
| pushpin_map_alt =
| source1_location =
| source1_coordinates = {{coord|-40.9333|172.9246|format=dms|display=inline}}
| source1_elevation =
| mouth_location = Wainui Inlet
| mouth_elevation = {{convert|0|m}}
| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|-40.82376|172.93960|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type1 = Country
| subdivision_name1 = New Zealand
| length = {{convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| discharge1_avg =
| basin_size =
| progression = Wainui River → Wainui Inlet → Wainui Bay → Tasman Sea
| tributaries_left =
| tributaries_right =
| waterbodies =
| waterfalls = Wainui Falls
| bridges =
}}
The Wainui River is a river of the Tasman Region of New Zealand's South Island. Wainui is a Māori language term (wai meaning water, and nui meaning large, expansive) and the umbrella entity for the three local iwi gives a meaning of "where the tidal flow leaves a big expanse of bay empty".{{cite AV media |title=Mohua place names|type=photo |url= https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mohua_place_names_79.jpg |access-date=6 August 2023|format= |time= |location= |publisher=Tasman District Library}}
Geography
File:Wainui Falls.jpg, which can be reached at the end of the Wainui Falls Track.]]
The Wainui River flows north through Abel Tasman National Park from its sources on the slopes of Mount Evans to reach the small Wainui Bay, an indentation close to the eastern end of Golden Bay. The sources of Wainui River near Wainui Saddle are close to the Abel Tasman Inland Track. Shortly after, the Wainui Track follows its course for a few kilometers, with Wainui Hut situated next to the river.{{cite web|title=Wainui Track, Tasman – NZ Topo Map|url=http://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/trck50374/Wainui-Track/|website=NZ Topo Map|publisher=Land Information New Zealand|accessdate=2015-11-18}}
Almost all of Wainui River's course is through dense native bush, with the lower half meandering through a narrow gorge where the river eventually flows over the {{convert|20|m}} tall Wainui Falls, one of the most accessible waterfalls in the Tasman region. Wainui Falls can be reached from a car park in Wainui Bay via the gentle Wainui Falls Track.{{cite web|url=http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/nelson-tasman/places/abel-tasman-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/wainui-falls-track/|title=Wainui Falls Track|publisher=Department of Conservation NZ|accessdate=2015-11-18}}
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References
{{reflist}}
{{Abel Tasman National Park}}
{{Tasman District}}
Category:Rivers of the Tasman District
Category:Rivers of New Zealand
Category:Abel Tasman National Park
{{Tasman-river-stub}}