The Waitaki River separates New Zealand’s Otago Region from the Canterbury Region

iss074e0375261 (March 7, 2026) --- The Waitaki River separates New Zealand’s Otago Region (top) from the Canterbury Region (bottom) along the nation’s South Pacific coast. The Waitaki is fed by glacial lakes, flows through three major hydroelectric lakes, and anchors one of New Zealand’s largest hydroelectric networks. The coastal area surrounding the river is flat, fertile, and ideal for farming. Credit: NASA/Chris Williams