| Paterson Inlet / Whaka a Te Wera | |
|---|---|
 Paterson Inlet as seen from Observation Rock in Oban. Iona Island is visible just off shore. | |
| Location | Stewart Island, New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 46°56′24″S 168°05′27″E / 46.94000°S 168.09083°E |
| Type | Ria |
| Etymology | Whaka a Te Wera after Te Wera, a local chief. Paterson Inlet has unclear origins.[1] |
| River sources | Rakeahua River, Freshwater River, Tolson River |
| Basin countries | New Zealand |
| Max. length | 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) |
| Max. width | 6.3 kilometres (3.9 mi) |
| Surface area | 100 square kilometres (39 sq mi) |
| Max. depth | 45 metres (148 ft)[2] |
| Islands | Around 20 islands, including Ulva Island, Native Island, and Bravo Island |
| Sections/sub-basins | Big Glory Bay, South West Arm, North Arm |
Paterson Inlet (officially Paterson Inlet / Whaka a Te Wera[3]) is a large natural harbour—specifically a ria—in the eastern coast of Stewart Island, New Zealand. Much of the land surrounding Paterson Inlet is unspoilt forest, and runoff into the harbour is especially clean.
- ^ "Place name detail: Paterson Inlet/Whaka a Te Wera". New Zealand Gazetteer. Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Fisherieswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998 No 97 (As at 12 April 2022), Public Act Schedule 96 Alteration of place names – New Zealand Legislation".