The Turakina River is a river of the southwestern North Island of New Zealand. It flows generally southwestward from its source south of Waiouru,^[1] roughly paralleling the larger Whangaehu River, and reaches the Tasman Sea 20 kilometres (12 mi) southeast of Whanganui.^[2]

The river flows near Papanui Junction and Turakina. Pā sites existed at Te Maire, Pukemata, Toakaituna, and Maipaua.^[3] Donald McLean arranged signing of the Rangitīkei–Turakina deed with some of the owners on 15 May 1849,^[4] when The Crown claimed the Rangitīkei Block.^[5] Scottish settlers arrived from the late 1860s.^[6]

Floods on the Turakina are frequent, including 1897,^[7] 1920,^[8] 1939,^[9] 1940,^[10] 2013,^[11] 2015,^[12] 2017^[13] and 2021.^[14]

Te Araroa long-distance walkway crosses the river at the beach at Koitiata at low tide.^[15] The outlet of the river changes frequently, moving up to 4.5 km (3 mi) along the lagoon, which is formed by a sand bar.^[16][17][2] In 1997 an outlet was dug to reduce flooding.^[18][19]

12% of samples taken at the lagoon in 5 years to 2022 found E. coli levels too high for swimming.^[20] 81.1% of land in the catchment is used for animal grazing. Native bush covers only 8.5%.^[1]

Redfin bully live in the river.^[1]

Turakina Valley Road closely follows the river for 104 km (65 mi) between Tangiwai and Turakina.^[21] Much of it is a gravel road.^[22]

The river is crossed by SH3 and by the Marton–New Plymouth railway.^[2]