The Waihopai River — the more southerly of two New Zealand rivers of that name — runs through the
South Island
The South Island ( , 'the waters of Pounamu, Greenstone') is the largest of the three major islands of New Zealand by surface area, the others being the smaller but more populous North Island and Stewart Island. It is bordered to the north by ...
's
Southland Region
Southland () is New Zealand's southernmost region. It consists of the southwestern portion of the South Island and includes Stewart Island. Southland is bordered by the culturally similar Otago Region to the north and east, and the West Coast ...
. A narrow stream for much of its length, it has its source in several streams arising in low hill country between
Edendale and
Dacre, all of which run generally west-southwest, passing through or close to the township of
Woodlands. These streams gradually merge, becoming one river some east of
Invercargill
Invercargill ( , ) is the southernmost and westernmost list of cities in New Zealand, city in New Zealand, and one of the Southernmost settlements, southernmost cities in the world. It is the commercial centre of the Southland Region, Southlan ...
. The Waihopai runs west from this point, passing through the northern suburbs of Invercargill City and then turns south, running between Invercargill's built-up area and
Invercargill Airport
Invercargill Airport is a fully secured controlled international designated airport located 1.6 km (one mile) west of the Central business district of Invercargill at the bottom of the South Island of New Zealand. It is the southernmost co ...
, before flowing into the northern end of the
New River Estuary
New or NEW may refer to:
Music
* New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz
* ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013
** "New" (Paul McCartney song), 2013
* ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator, 1995
* "New" (Daya song), 2017
* "New" (No Doubt song), 1 ...
at Stead Street Bridge.
The river lends its name to the Māori name for Invercargill, ''Waihōpai''.
References
Rivers of the Southland Region
Rivers of New Zealand
{{Southland-river-stub