Awarua Point

Awarua Point
Relief map of New Zealand
Relief map of New Zealand
Awarua Point
Location of Awarua Point
Coordinates: 44°15′39″S 168°03′13″E / 44.2607°S 168.0536°E / -44.2607; 168.0536
LocationWestland District, New Zealand
Offshore water bodiesTasman Sea, Big Bay
EtymologyFrom Māori awa - river, and rua - two
Defining authorityNew Zealand Geographic Board
Dimensions
 • Length4 kilometres (2.5 mi)
 • Width2 kilometres (1.2 mi)

Awarua Point is located on the southwestern coast of New Zealand's South Island, at the northern end of Big Bay, 40 kilometres (25 mi) north of Milford Sound / Piopiotahi, and 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) north of the mouth of the Hollyford River / Whakatipu Kā Tuka.[1]

Traditionally, Awarua Point is regarded as the end of Fiordland and the start of the West Coast region, although the boundary of Fiordland National Park is located 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) farther south at the northern end of Martins Bay.

The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "two streams" for Awarua.[2]

  1. ^ "Place name detail: Awarua Point". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 18 September 2009.
  2. ^ "1000 Māori place names". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 6 August 2019.