Waikari River (Hawke's Bay)

Waikari River
Waikari River near Putorino
EtymologyMāori meaning "dig for water"
Native nameWaikari (Māori)
Location
CountryNew Zealand
RegionHawkes Bay
SettlementsPutorino
Physical characteristics
SourceMaungaharuru Range
  coordinates39°5′50″S 176°48′21″E / 39.09722°S 176.80583°E / -39.09722; 176.80583
  elevation780 metres (2,560 ft)
MouthHawke Bay
  coordinates
39°10′8″S 177°5′23″E / 39.16889°S 177.08972°E / -39.16889; 177.08972
  elevation
0 metres (0 ft)
Length49 km (30 mi)
Basin features
Tributaries 
  rightMatahorua Stream
WaterfallsShine Falls

The Waikari River is a river in the Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand's North Island. It flows generally east from its source at the northern end of the Maungaharuru Range passing the settlement of Putorino to reach Hawke Bay 25 kilometres southwest of Wairoa. The name Waikari comes from the Māori words wai meaning "water" and kari meaning "dig". The river was called Waikare until given an official name in 1941.