Waimakariri
Waimakariri is a river in the Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island. Its name comes from the Māori language, meaning "river of cold water." The Waimakariri originates in the Southern Alps and flows eastward for approximately 147 kilometers before emptying into the Pacific Ocean northeast of Christchurch. The river's braided nature is a prominent characteristic, with multiple channels weaving across a wide shingle bed. This braiding is a result of the high sediment load carried by the river, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall and snowmelt.
The Waimakariri catchment is a significant area, encompassing diverse landscapes from alpine regions to coastal plains.