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List of waterfalls in New Zealand facts for kids

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New Zealand is a country full of amazing natural wonders! One of the most beautiful sights you can see there are waterfalls. A waterfall is where water flows over a steep drop, creating a stunning cascade. New Zealand has many named waterfalls, and some even have rapids, which are fast-flowing parts of a river.

Many of these waterfalls have Māori names, which come from the native people of New Zealand. For example, the word "Rere" means "to leap or descend," and you'll find it in the names of several waterfalls. In the North Island, most waterfalls have Māori names. But in the South Island, more waterfalls have non-Māori names.

Sometimes, people disagree about what counts as a waterfall. For instance, some say the Browne Falls is a huge waterfall, dropping over 800 meters! Others think it's more like a very steep stream with many small drops.

Discover New Zealand's Amazing Waterfalls

Waireinga Falls
Wairēinga / Bridal Veil Falls

New Zealand is home to many incredible waterfalls, each with its own unique beauty. Some of the tallest waterfalls are found in a special area called Fiordland. Here is a list of some of the most well-known waterfalls in New Zealand, showing their height and where you can find them.

Name Height Location
Ananui Falls 106 metres (348 ft) South Auckland
Āniwaniwa Falls 15 metres (49 ft) Hawke's Bay Region
Bowen Falls 162 metres (531 ft) Fiordland National Park, Southland Region
Bridal Veil Falls 55 metres (180 ft) Waikato Region
Browne Falls 836 metres (2,743 ft) Fiordland National Park, Southland Region
Chamberlain Falls 700 metres (2,300 ft) Fiordland National Park, Southland Region
Fairy Falls 15 metres (49 ft) Auckland Region
Fantail Falls 23 metres (75 ft) Mount Aspiring National Park, West Coast Region
Grainger Falls Fiordland National Park, Southland Region
Haruru Falls 6 metres (20 ft) Northland Region
Helena Falls 50 metres (160 ft) Fiordland National Park, Southland Region
Huka Falls 11 metres (36 ft) Waikato River, Waikato Region
Humboldt Falls 275 metres (902 ft) Fiordland National Park, Southland Region
Hunua Falls 30 metres (98 ft) Auckland Region
Karekare Falls 30 metres (98 ft) Auckland Region
Kitekite Falls 40 metres (130 ft) Auckland Region
Lady Alice Falls 200 metres (660 ft) - 280 metres (920 ft) Fiordland National Park, Southland Region
Lake Unknown Falls 680 metres (2,230 ft) Fiordland National Park, Southland Region
Madonna Falls 5 metres (16 ft) Waikato Region
Maraetotara Falls 16 metres (52 ft) Hawke's Bay Region
Marokopa Falls 35 metres (115 ft) Waikato Region
Maruia Falls West Coast Region
Mauku Falls 5 metres (16 ft) Auckland Region
McLean Falls 22 metres (72 ft) The Catlins, Otago Region
Mōkau Falls 37 metres (121 ft) Te Urewera National Park, Hawke's Bay Region
Mount Damper Falls 74 metres (243 ft) Taranaki Region
Okere Falls 5 metres (16 ft) Bay of Plenty Region
Omaru Falls 45 metres (148 ft) Waikato Region
Owharoa Falls 6 metres (20 ft) Waikato Region
Palisade Falls 55 metres (180 ft) Fiordland, Southland Region
Purakaunui Falls 20 metres (66 ft) The Catlins, Otago Region
Rainbow Falls (Waianiwaniwa) 27 metres (89 ft) Northland Region
Roaring Billy Falls 30 metres (98 ft) Mount Aspiring National Park, West Coast Region
School Creek Falls (Ross Creek Falls) 20 metres (66 ft) Dunedin, Otago Region
Stirling Falls 151 metres (495 ft) Fiordland National Park, Southland Region
Sutherland Falls 580 metres (1,900 ft) Fiordland National Park, Southland Region
Tarawera Falls 35 metres (115 ft) Bay of Plenty Region
Te Rere I Oturu Falls 40 metres (130 ft) Kaimai Ranges, Bay of Plenty Region
Te Rere o Kapuni Taranaki Region
Terror Falls 740 metres (2,430 ft) Fiordland National Park, Southland Region
Thunder Creek Falls 28 metres (92 ft) Mount Aspiring National Park, West Coast Region
Wainui Falls 20 metres (66 ft) Wainui Bay, Tasman Region
Wairere Falls 153 metres (502 ft) Kaimai Ranges, Waikato Region
Waitakere Falls 95 metres (312 ft) Auckland Region
Whangārei Falls 26 metres (85 ft) Northland Region

Waterfalls of Fiordland National Park

Fiordland National Park is a stunning area in the South Island of New Zealand. It's known for its beautiful fiords and very high rainfall. This means it's also home to many of New Zealand's tallest and most impressive waterfalls!

Some of these waterfalls flow directly into the fiords, which are long, narrow inlets of the sea, off the Tasman Sea. For example:

  • Waterfalls that flow into Doubtful Sound include Chamberlain Falls, Helena Falls, and Lady Alice Falls.
  • Waterfalls that flow into Milford Sound include Bowen Falls and Stirling Falls.

See also

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List of waterfalls in New Zealand Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.