Kowhai River

The Kowhai River is a river of the northeast of New Zealand's South Island. It flows south from the slopes of Manakau in the Seaward [Kaikōura Range], turning southeast as it reaches its narrow coastal plain. The Kowhai River flows to the ocean to the west of the Kaikōura Peninsula, three kilometres west of the town of Kaikōura.
The town of Kaikōura was severely affected when the Kowhai River burst its banks on 23 December 1993, flooding the main street to a depth of 1 metre. A civil defence emergency was declared, and over 60 residents were evacuated. Many homes, businesses and school buildings suffered flood damage.