The Waipawa River is a river of southern Hawke's Bay, in New Zealand's eastern North Island. It flows from the slopes of Te Atua Mahuru in the Ruahine Range southeast past the town of Waipawa before joining the Tukituki River.
The Old Bed of Waipawa River flows roughly parallel with and north of the present Waipawa River.
Coordinates: 39°58′S 176°38′E / 39.967°S 176.633°E