The Waikawau River is a river of the Waitomo District in the southern Waikato region. It flows generally west from the Herangi Range to reach the North Taranaki Bight 20 kilometres (12 mi) north of Mokau.

The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "water of the shag" for Waikawau.

• List of rivers of New Zealand

"Place name detail: Waikawau River". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 12 July 2009.