Jacobs River (New Zealand)

Makawhio / Jacobs River
The State Highway 6 bridge over the Makawhio River / Jacobs River
Route of the Makawhio / Jacobs River
Mouth of the Makawhio / Jacobs River Show map of New Zealand Jacobs River (New Zealand) (South Island) Show map of South Island
Etymology	From Kāi Tahu Māori: stream of whio; also named after Hākopa Kāpō, a ferryman at the river mouth.[1]
Native name	Makaawhio (Māori)
Location
Country	New Zealand
region	West Coast Region
District	Westland District
Physical characteristics
Source	Bannock Brae Range
• location	Southern Alps / Kā Tiritiri o te Moana
• coordinates	43°44′20″S 169°51′35″E / 43.738933°S 169.859834°E / -43.738933; 169.859834
• elevation	1,340 m (4,400 ft)
Mouth	Bruce Bay
• location	Tasman Sea
• coordinates	43°34′00″S 169°38′09″E / 43.56672°S 169.63587°E / -43.56672; 169.63587
• elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Length	32 km (20 mi)
Basin features
Tributaries
• left	Greer Creek, Kini Creek, Papakeri Creek
• right	Jumbo Creek, Pavo Creek, Hermann Creek

The Jacobs River or Makawhio River is located some 30 km (19 mi) south of Fox Glacier in South Westland, New Zealand. From its headwaters near Fettes Peak below the Hooker Range it flows in a westerly direction to enter the Tasman Sea near Hunts Beach.^[2] Its tributaries include Jumbo Creek and Pavo Creek. Just upstream from the bridge is Borat Flat.

The river is of cultural significance to Ngāi Tahu, a South Island iwi (tribe), which holds manawhenua or tribal authority over the land in accordance with the Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998. There are a number of sacred sites and burial places along the river. The river has also been a source of seafood for Ngāi Tahu, and is a source of Aotea, a rock containing kyanite that is only found in the river.^[3][4][5] In 2016 GNS Science was awarded funding to investigate the commercial potential of Aotea.^[5]