Riwaka

Riwaka
Riuwaka (Māori)
The Riwaka Hotel
Interactive map of Riwaka
Coordinates: 41°5′S 173°0′E / 41.083°S 173.000°E / -41.083; 173.000
CountryNew Zealand
Territorial authorityTasman
WardMotueka Ward
CommunityMotueka Community
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityTasman District Council
 • Mayor of TasmanTim King
 • West Coast-Tasman MPMaureen Pugh
 • Te Tai Tonga MPTākuta Ferris
Area
 • Total
5.49 km2 (2.12 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2025)
 • Total
740
 • Density130/km2 (350/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)
Area code03

Riwaka (Māori: Riuwaka) is a small settlement in the Tasman District of New Zealand's South Island. It lies beside Tasman Bay / Te Tai-o-Aorere, five kilometres north of Motueka, and close to the mouth of the Riuwaka River. The land where the town is based was a swamp known as Tureauraki. Europeans first settled in Riwaka in May 1842. The Riwaka economy has been based around growing tobacco and hops.