Papatowai

Papatowai is a small settlement in the Catlins ward of the Clutha District of the southeastern South Island of New Zealand. The settlement is situated half-way between the cities of Dunedin and Invercargill, on the Pacific coast close to the mouth of the Tahakopa River. There is a permanent population of around 30 people but with most of the houses in the town being holiday homes (locally known as "cribs") the population rises dramatically during the holiday seasons, particularly around New Year's Day and Easter.

Papatowai is surrounded by native podocarp forest and there are numerous walks in the area to waterfalls, and sand beaches in addition to bushwalks. There is also a walk to an archaeological site where it is possible to see middens left by early Māori inhabitants of the area. In the past, the bones of moa have also been found here.

The Papatowai Challenge, a 15.7 km bush and beach run and walk, is held annually on the first weekend in March. The 2008 event attracted over 360 people. Papatowai is also known for its big-wave surfing.

Coordinates: 46°36′S 169°28′E / 46.600°S 169.467°E / -46.600; 169.467

Towns and communities in the Clutha District territorial authority

Balclutha Ward	Balclutha Finegand Kaka Point Lochindorb Otanomomo Paretai Port Molyneux Stirling Waipeka

Bruce Ward	Adams Flat Clarendon Clarksville Crichton Glenledi Glenore Hillend Kapiti Manuka Creek Milburn Milton Moneymore Mount Stuart Pukekoma Round Hill Taieri Beach Taieri Mouth Titri Toko Mouth Tokoiti Waihola

Catlins Ward	Ahuriri Flat Awatea Caberfeidh Chaslands Glenomaru Hays Gap Hina Hina Houipapa Jack's Bay Kahuika Katea Maclennan Makura New Haven Nugget Point Otekura Owaka Owaka Valley Papatowai Pounawea Puerua Puketiro Purakauiti Purakaunui Purekireki Ratanui Romahapa Stuarts Tahakopa Tahatika Tahora Tarara Tautuku Tawanui Tirohanga

Clinton Ward	Arthurton Clinton Kuriwao Popotunoa Taumata Waipahi Wairuna

Clutha Valley Ward	Ashley Downs Awamangu Barnego Clifton Clydevale Greenfield Kaihiku Kakapuaka Pukeawa Pukepito Puketi Rongahere Stony Creek Te Houka Waiwera South Waitepeka Warepa Wharetoa

Kaitangata-Matau Ward	Benhar Kaitangata Matau Summer Hill Wangaloa

Lawrence-Tuapeka Ward	Beaumont Blue Spur Bowlers Creek Bungtown Craigellachie Forsyth Gabriel's Gully Johnston Kononi Lawrence Lee Flat Raes Junction Tuapeka Flat Tuapeka Mouth Tuapeka West Waipori Waitahuna Waitahuna Gully Waitahuna West Wetherstons

West Otago Ward	Black Gully Conical Hill Crookston Crossans Corner Dunrobin Dusky Forest Edievale Glenkenich Heriot Kelso Merino Downs Moa Flat Park Hill Pomahaka Rankleburn Tapanui Waikoikoi Wilden

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