Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora

Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora
Aerial view of Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora
Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora
Location	Selwyn District and Christchurch City, Canterbury region, South Island
Coordinates	43°48′S 172°25′E / 43.800°S 172.417°E / -43.800; 172.417
Type	Brackish lagoon
Primary inflows	Selwyn River / Waikirikiri
Basin countries	New Zealand
Max. length	30.5 km (19.0 mi)
Max. width	14.5 km (9.0 mi)
Surface area	197.81 km2 (76.37 sq mi)
Max. depth	2.1 m (6 ft 11 in)
Surface elevation	2 m (6 ft 7 in)

Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora is a broad, shallow coastal lake or waituna, in the Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand.^[1] It is directly to the west of Banks Peninsula, separated from the Pacific Ocean by the long, narrow, sandy Kaitorete Spit, or more correctly Kaitorete Barrier. It lies partially in extreme southeastern Selwyn District and partially in the southwestern extension of the former Banks Peninsula District, which now (since 2006) is a ward in the city of Christchurch. The lake holds high historical and cultural significance to the indigenous Māori population and the traditional Māori name Te Waihora, means spreading waters. It has officially had a dual English/Māori name since at least 1938.^[2]