Whanganui River

Whanganui River Whanganui
The Whanganui River.
The Whanganui River system
Location
Country	New Zealand
Region	Manawatū-Whanganui
Towns and cities	Taumarunui, Whanganui
Physical characteristics
Source	Mount Tongariro
Mouth	Tasman Sea
- coordinates	39°56.89′S 174°59.22′E
- elevation	Sea level
Length	290 km (180 mi)
Basin size	7,380 km2 (2,850 sq mi)
Discharge
- average	219 m3/s (7,700 cu ft/s)
Basin features
Tributaries
- left	Whakapapa River, Retaruke River, Manganui o te Ao River
- right	Pungapunga River, Ongarue River, Ohura River, Tangarakau River, Whangamōmona River

The Whanganui River is a major river in the North Island of New Zealand. It is 290 kilometres (180 mi) long and is the third-longest river in New Zealand. It has special status owing to its importance to the region's Māori people. In March 2017 it became the world's first river to be given its own legal identity, with the right of legal person.

The river source is on the north-western side of Mount Tongariro. The river flows to the north-west before turning south at Taumarunui. It reaches the seat at Whanganui.