Slate River (New Zealand)

Slate River
Route of the Slate River
Mouth of the Slate River Show map of New Zealand Slate River (New Zealand) (South Island) Show map of South Island
Location
Country	New Zealand
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Slate River Peak
• coordinates	40°54′19″S172°37′15″E / 40.9052°S 172.6209°E / -40.9052; 172.6209
• elevation	1,527 metres (5,010 ft)
Mouth
• location	Ōtere River
• coordinates	40°45′47″S172°42′36″E / 40.7631°S 172.7101°E / -40.7631; 172.7101
Basin features
Progression	Slate River → Aorere River → Ruataniwha Inlet → Golden Bay / Mohua → Tasman Sea
Tributaries
• left	Serpentine Creek, Whitehorn Creek, Kill Devil Creek, Snow River, Rocky River
• right	Fletcher Creek

The Slate River is located in the northwest of the South Island of New Zealand. It is a tributary of the Aorere River. It was a major source of gold during the Aorere gold rush. Slateford, a former gold mining town, was the main settlement during the rush in the 19th century. It was located on the true right of the Slate River, just above its confluence with the Aorere River. ^[1] From the Aorere River to Moonlight Flat, the Slate River forms the boundary between Kahurangi National Park and the Aorere Goldfields conservation area. ^[2]

References

1. Johnston, Mike (2025). Mohua Gold. Nelson: Derek Shaw. p. 85.
2. "Untitled". Top of the South Maps. Retrieved 26 December 2025.