| Waipara River | |
| Pushpin Map: | New Zealand#New Zealand South Island |
| Pushpin Map Size: | 270px |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Mouth of the Waipara River |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | New Zealand |
| Subdivision Type2: | region |
| Subdivision Name2: | West Coast Region |
| Subdivision Type3: | District |
| Subdivision Name3: | Westland District |
| Source1: | Bonar Glacier |
| Mouth: | Arawhata River |
| Mouth Coordinates: | -44.2427°N 168.6535°W |
| Progression: | Waipara River → Arawhata River → Jackson Bay / Okahu → Tasman Sea |
| River System: | Arawhata River basin |
| Tributaries Left: | The Wilson, The Bascand, The Purser, Response Torrent, Cat O'Nine Tails, The Grease Pot, Tar Pot Creek, Butland Creek, The Second Mate, The Peter Walker, Ratlin Water, Saddle Creek |
| Tributaries Right: | The Bignell, The Steward, The Fireman, The Binnacle, The Funnel, The Stoker, The Cook, The Rudder, The Third Mate, The Larry Bell, The Cabin Boy, Engineer Creek, Sutherland Creek, Nob Creek |
| Waterfalls: | Cabin Pass Rapids, The Companion Ladder Rapids, Gorge Rapids |
The Waipara River drain from the Bonar Glacier on Mount Aspiring / Tititea before joining the Arawhata River and flowing northwest into the Tasman Sea near Jackson Bay. Its name translates to "Muddy Water", wai meaning water and para meaning mud.