Lake Ellesmere

Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora
Aerial view of 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; 172.417Coordinates: 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 located in the Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand. It is actually a broad, shallow lagoon located directly to the west of Banks Peninsula, separated from the Pacific Ocean by a long narrow sandy spit called 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.

Currently Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora is a brackish bar-type lagoon. The lake covers an area of 198 square kilometres (76 sq mi), and is New Zealand's 5th largest lake (by area).

Lagoons of this type form an interlinked chain of habitats or corridor, which run the length of the east coast of the South Island, from Wairau Lagoon and Lake Grassmere in Marlborough, through Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora and Coopers Lagoon in Central Canterbury, Washdyke and Wainono Lagoons in South Canterbury, to Waituna Lagoon in Southland.