| Waipori River | |
|---|---|
 One of several dams on the Waipori River | |
 Route of the Waipori River | |
.png)  Mouth of the Waipori River   Waipori River (South Island) | |
| Location | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • coordinates | 45°49′43″S 169°44′21″E / 45.8286°S 169.7391°E |
| Mouth | |
• location | Taieri River |
• coordinates | 45°59′32″S 170°08′42″E / 45.9921°S 170.1449°E |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Waipori River → Taieri River → Pacific Ocean |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Deep Creek, Burnt Creek, Stony Creek, Mill Creek, Contour Channel, Bull Creek |
| • right | Shepherd Stream, Dowdle Creek |
| Waterfalls | Waipori Falls |
The Waipori River is in Otago in the South Island of New Zealand. Rising in the Lammerlaw Range, it flows southeast for 50 kilometres (31 mi) before joining the Taieri River near Henley, 30 kilometres (19 mi) southwest of Dunedin of which it is officially the southernmost border. Google Maps erroneously shows the stretch of Taieri river from the confluence to the mouth as Waipori River.[1] The correct name is shown on the New Zealand government's official NZ Topo Map.[2]
The upper reaches of the Waipori flow through rough hill country, much of it covered by the Berwick Forest. An artificial lake, Lake Mahinerangi is formed on the river behind a small hydroelectric station at Waipori Falls, which was built in 1880 to provide power for the city of Dunedin. Much of this area is within the Waipori Falls Scenic Reserve.[3]
The lower reaches of the river pass through an area of wetlands around Lakes Waihola and Waipori, both of which drain into the river. This area is a habitat for many species of wading birds. The Sinclair Wetlands reserve is located in this area.[3]
The name Waipori comes from Māori words meaning "dark water".[4]