List of waterfalls in New Zealand facts for kids
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
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
- Water in New Zealand
- List of waterfalls
