| Waikari River | |
| Mouth Location: | Hurunui River |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | New Zealand |
| Length: | 41km (25miles) |
| Mouth Elevation: | 80m (260feet) |
The Waikari River is a river of the northern Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island. It flows generally east through a broad strath from its sources south of Hawarden, gradually veering northeast to reach the Hurunui 20km (10miles) southwest of Cheviot. The name Waikari comes from the Maori word wai meaning "water" and kari meaning "dig".[1]