Freshwater River
The Freshwater River is the longest river on Stewart Island / Rakiura, the third largest of New Zealand's islands. It arises close to the island's northwestern point, from which it is separated by a ridge, and flows southeastward through the Ruggedy Flat for before reaching the Paterson Inlet on the island's central east coast. The Freshwater is the longest New Zealand river not to be located in either of the country's two main islands.
The river's catchment dominates much of the island's north, forming a wide swampy basin that covers some .
A tramping track runs along the lower reach of the river.
