Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is a series of rapids on the Waikawa River in the Southland Region, where water cascades over rocky terrain creating swirling currents. The flow drops across multiple small steps with noticeable force as it continues downstream.

A surveyor named these rapids in the 19th century after the famous waterfalls in North America as a humorous reference. The choice deliberately highlighted how modest these rapids were in comparison to their celebrated namesake.

The falls carry the Māori name Mānga Piri and serve as a traditional spawning location for īnanga fish, connecting nature with indigenous heritage.

The rapids are accessible via walking tracks in the Catlins area, allowing visitors to view the water from different vantage points. The path to the river involves hilly terrain with occasional steep sections.

Locally known as Mānga Piri in the Māori language, these rapids serve as a spawning ground for īnanga fish that return here seasonally. The water conditions create ideal breeding habitat for this native fish species year after year.