Cook River

The Cook River / Weheka is in the South Island of New Zealand. The headwaters are from the La Perouse Glacier on the western flanks of the Southern Alps, and it flows west, then northeast, then northwest and into the Tasman Sea. Its tributaries include the Balfour River, fed by the Balfour Glacier, and the Fox River, fed by the Fox Glacier. Much of the river lies within the Westland Tai Poutini National Park. The river was renamed from Cook River to Cook River / Weheka as a result of the Ngai Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998.

Brown trout can be fished for in the river.

Access along the river by foot is difficult beyond the junction with the Balfour River. There are no approved helicopter landing sites in the river valley, but there are chamois, tahr and small numbers of red deer available to hunters.

Famous quotes containing the words cook and/or river:

    “The madness of love can always be suspended—to cook dinner or catch a plane, for instance.”
    —Mason Cooley (b. 1927)

    “We approached the Indian Island through the narrow strait called “Cook.” He said, “I ‘xpect we take in some water there, river so high,—never see it so high at this season. Very rough water there, but short; swamp steamboat once. Don’t paddle till I tell you, then you paddle right along.” It was a very short rapid. When we were in the midst of it he shouted “paddle,” and we shot through without taking in a drop.”
    —Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)