Lake Mahinapua

Lake Mahinapua is a shallow lake on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. Once a lagoon at the mouth of the Hokitika River, it became a lake when the river shifted its course. Lake Māhinapua was the site of a significant battle between Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Wairangi Māori, and is regarded by them as a sacred site where swimming and fishing are prohibited. In European times it was part of an inland waterway that carried timber and settlers between Hokitika and Ross until the building of the railway. Today it is protected as a scenic reserve for boating, camping, and hiking.

Lake Mahinapua
Lake Māhinapua, Tāwiri a Te Makō
Lake Mahinapua
Lake Mahinapua
LocationWest Coast, South Island, New Zealand
Coordinates42°48′S 170°55′E
Primary inflowsFrosty Creek, Mirror Creek
Primary outflowsMahināpua Creek
Basin countriesNew Zealand
Max. length3 kilometres (1.9 mi)
Max. width2 kilometres (1.2 mi)
Surface area3 square kilometres (1.2 sq mi)
Surface elevation4 metres (13 ft)
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