List of rivers of New Zealand by length

This is a list of the longest rivers in New Zealand, and some other prominent rivers, ordered by length.

South Island rivers are marked "SI", and North Island rivers "NI".

Over 100 kilometres

 * Ngaruroro River (NI) - 154 km (96 mi)
 * Mōtū River (NI) - 147 km (91 mi)
 * Rakaia River (SI) - 145 km (90 mi)
 * Pātea River (NI) - 143 km (89 mi)
 * Hurunui River (SI) - 138 km (86 mi)
 * Turakina River (NI) - 137 km (85 mi)
 * Wairoa River (Bay of Plenty) (NI) - 137 km (85 mi)
 * Wairoa River (Northland) (NI) - 132 km (82 mi)
 * Awatere River (SI) - 126 km (78 mi)
 * Ruamahanga River (NI) - 124 km (77 mi)
 * Grey River or Mawhera River (SI) - 121 km (75 mi)
 * Rangitata River (SI) - 120 km (74 mi)
 * Tukituki River (NI) - 119 km (74 mi)
 * Motueka River (SI) - 116 km (72 mi)
 * Waitaki River (SI) - 111 km (69 mi)
 * Aparima River (SI) - 102 km (63 mi)

50 to 100 kilometres

 * Tutaekuri River (NI) - 100 km (62 mi)
 * Whakatāne River (NI) - 95 km (59 mi)
 * Pomahaka River (SI) - 81 km (50 mi)
 * Waipaoa River (NI) 80 km (50 mi)
 * Selwyn River (SI) 80 km (50 mi)
 * Taramakau River (SI) 75 km (46 mi)
 * Ōpihi River (SI) - 75 km (46 mi)
 * Orari River (SI) - 74 km (46 mi)
 * Karamea River (SI) - 73 km (45 mi)
 * Ongarue River (NI) - 73 km (45 mi)
 * Ahuriri River (SI) - 70 km (43 mi)
 * Inangahua River (SI) - 65 km (40 mi)
 * Moawhango River (NI) - 62 km (38 mi)
 * Waitoa River (NI) - 62 km (38 mi)
 * Shotover River (SI) - 60 km (37 mi)
 * Hutt River (NI) - 56 km (35 mi)
 * Ruakituri River (NI) - 55 km (34 mi)
 * Manganui River (Northland) (NI) - 53 km (33 mi)
 * Whenuakura River (NI) -53 km (33 mi)
 * Eglinton River (SI) - 51 km (32 mi)
 * Kaituna River (NI) - 50 km (31 mi) (approx)
 * Tokomairaro River (SI) - 50 km (31 mi) (approx)

Under 50 kilometres

 * Waingawa River, (Wairarapa), a tributary of the Ruamahanga River - 48 km (13 mi)
 * Tauherenikau River, (Wairarapa), draining into Lake Wairarapa - 41 km (13 mi)
 * Waiohine River, (Wairarapa), a tributary of the Ruamahanga River - 35 km (13 mi)
 * Freshwater River (Stewart Island) - 25 km (15 mi) (longest New Zealand river not in the North or South Island)
 * Waiwawa River - 21 km (13 mi) (longest river on the Coromandel Peninsula)
 * Waimata River (NI) - 20 km (16 mi)
 * Makara River (Chatham Island) - 16 km (10 mi) (longest New Zealand river not in New Zealand's main island chain)
 * Avon River / Ōtākaro (SI) - 15 km (9.5 mi)
 * Water of Leith (SI) - 14 km (9 mi)

Shortest rivers

 * Awaroa River (Far North) (Northland) – 12 km (7.5 mi)
 * Awaroa River (Waikato River tributary) – 12 km (7.5 mi)
 * Tawatahi River (Waikato) – 2 km (1.2 mi)
 * Tūranganui River (Gisborne) – 0.9 km (0.56 mi)