Manapouri, Southland Map

About Manapouri, Southland

Manapouri is a locality in the Southland Region of New Zealand. It is a small community with a population of 228. It sits at an elevation of around 205 m above sea level. It lies approximately 109 km north-northwest of Invercargill, the regional capital. Manapouri is located at 45.5669°S, 167.6115°E. It observes New Zealand Time (NZST/NZDT). Statistics New Zealand classifies the area as a rural settlement.

Manapouri rests beside the shimmering expanse of Lake Manapouri, its waters a deep, resonant blue mirroring the vast southern sky. It lies 108.8 km north-north-west of Invercargill (from Invercargill: bearing 328°T), and is situated 18.6 km south-south-west of Te Anau. The landscape here is a masterpiece of glacial sculpting, with rolling hills, cloaked in a patchwork of native bush and verdant farmland, gently descending towards the lake’s edge. To the north, the imposing Cheviot Hills rise, their slopes a rugged testament to ancient geological forces, while the Kepler Track beckons travellers into the surrounding wilderness, hinting at the wilder beauty that lies beyond the immediate settlement. The air, especially in the hushed moments of dawn and dusk, carries a crisp, invigorating coolness, a constant reminder of the proximity to wild, untamed country.

The history of Manapouri is inextricably linked to the immense power harnessed from its namesake lake, a story woven into the very fabric of its modern identity. For decades, the local economy has been shaped by the presence of the hydroelectric power station, its silent, efficient operation a cornerstone of regional industry. Beyond this significant enterprise, the surrounding land supports a steady flow of dairy farming and sheep and beef grazing, the woolly fleeces and contented cows dotting the hillsides like scattered clouds. The Waiau River, a kilometre distant, flows with a steady, purposeful current, a vital artery through this southern landscape, carrying with it the legacy of travellers and settlers who have navigated these waters for generations.

About This Manapouri Map Page

This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Manapouri, Southland, New Zealand — switch between views using the small square in the bottom left-hand corner of the map. Coordinates: -45.56695, 167.61154. Live weather conditions with current observations and a 7-day forecast are powered by Open-Meteo. Real-time New Zealand and world news feeds keep the page current, while an editorial description provides background on Manapouri.

Manapouri sits within the Southland Region. Location data is drawn from the GeoNames geographical database and verified by coordinates, ensuring the correct Manapouri is identified even where the name is shared across multiple New Zealand localities.