| Makawhio / Jacobs River | |
| Name Etymology: | From Kāi Tahu Māori: stream of whio; also named after Hākopa Kāpō, a ferryman at the river mouth.[1] |
| Pushpin Map: | New Zealand#New Zealand South Island |
| Pushpin Map Size: | 270px |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Mouth of the Makawhio / Jacobs River |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | New Zealand |
| Subdivision Type2: | region |
| Subdivision Name2: | West Coast Region |
| Subdivision Type3: | District |
| Subdivision Name3: | Westland District |
| Length: | 32km (20miles) |
| Source1: | Bannock Brae Range |
| Source1 Location: | Southern Alps / Kā Tiritiri o te Moana |
| Source1 Coordinates: | -43.7389°N 169.8598°W |
| Source1 Elevation: | 1340m (4,400feet) |
| Mouth: | Bruce Bay |
| Mouth Location: | Tasman Sea |
| Mouth Coordinates: | -43.5667°N 169.6359°W |
| Mouth Elevation: | 0m (00feet) |
| Tributaries Left: | Greer Creek, Kini Creek, Papakeri Creek |
| Tributaries Right: | Jumbo Creek, Pavo Creek, Hermann Creek |
The Jacobs River or Makawhio River is located some south of Fox Glacier in South Westland, New Zealand. From its headwaters near Fettes Peak below the Hooker Range it flows in a westerly direction to enter the Tasman Sea near Hunts Beach.[2] Its tributaries include Jumbo Creek and Pavo Creek. Just upstream from the bridge is Borat Flat.
The river is of cultural significance to Ngāi Tahu, a South Island iwi (tribe), which holds manawhenua or tribal authority over the land in accordance with the Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998. There are a number of sacred sites and burial places along the river. The river has also been a source of seafood for Ngāi Tahu, and is a source of Aotea, a rock containing kyanite that is only found in the river.[3] [4] [5] In 2016 GNS Science was awarded funding to investigate the commercial potential of Aotea.[5]