Editing Tory Channel (section)

{{Short description|Channel in New Zealand}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name               = Tory Channel / Kura Te Au
| native_name        ={{native name|mi|Kura Te Au}}
| other_name         = William the Fourth River
<!--    Images     -->
| image              = Wake of ferry entering Tory Channel.jpg
| alt                = Entrance of Tory Channel / Kura Te Au
| caption            = Entrance of Tory Channel / Kura Te Au
| image_bathymetry   = 
| alt_bathymetry     = 
| caption_bathymetry = 
<!--    Stats      -->
| location           = [[Marlborough Region]], [[New Zealand]]
| group              = 
| coordinates        = {{coord|41|14|24|S|174|14|00|E|region:NZ-MBH_type:waterbody_source:dewiki|display=inline,title}}
| type               = [[Ria]]
| etymology          = 
| part_of            = [[Marlborough Sounds]]
| inflow             = 
| rivers             = 
| outflow            = 
| oceans             = 
| catchment          = <!-- {{convert|VALUE|UNITS}} must be used -->
| basin_countries    =
| agency             = 
| designation        =
| length             = {{convert|16.8|km}}
| width              = {{convert|1.1|km}}
| area               = <!-- {{convert|VALUE|UNITS}} must be used -->
| depth              = {{convert|39.2|m}}
| max-depth          = {{convert|65|m}}
| volume             = <!-- {{convert|VALUE|UNITS}} must be used -->
| residence_time     = 
| salinity           = 
| shore              = <!-- {{convert|VALUE|UNITS}} must be used -->
| elevation          = <!-- {{convert|VALUE|UNITS}} must be used -->
| temperature_high   = <!-- {{convert|VALUE|UNITS}} must be used -->
| temperature_low    = <!-- {{convert|VALUE|UNITS}} must be used -->
| frozen             = 
| islands            = Moioio Island
| islands_category   = 
| sections           = 
| trenches           = 
| benches            = 
| cities             =
<!--      Map      -->
| pushpin_map             = New Zealand Marlborough Sounds#New Zealand
| pushpin_label_position  = right
| pushpin_map_alt         = Location of Tory Channel
| pushpin_map_caption     = Tory Channel / Kura Te Au
<!--   Below       -->  
| website            = 
| reference          = 
}}
'''Tory Channel''' (officially '''Tory Channel / Kura Te Au''') is one of the drowned valleys that form the [[Marlborough Sounds]] in New Zealand. Inter-island [[ferry|ferries]] normally use it as the principal channel between Cook Strait and the Marlborough Sounds.<ref>{{cite web|title= The Voyage|url= https://www.interislander.co.nz/The-Voyage.aspx|website= Interislander|accessdate= 16 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title= The journey|url= http://www.bluebridge.co.nz/trip-info/the-journey/|website= Buebridge|accessdate= 16 December 2014}}</ref>

Tory Channel lies to the south of [[Arapaoa Island]], separating it from the mainland. At its western end it joins the larger [[Queen Charlotte Sound / Tōtaranui|Queen Charlotte Sound]], which it meets halfway along the latter's length. Its eastern end meets Cook Strait close to the strait's narrowest point.<ref>{{cite web|title= Tory Channel, Marlborough – NZ Topo Map|url= http://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz42414/Tory-Channel/Marlborough|website= NZ Topo Map|publisher= Land Information New Zealand|accessdate= 16 December 2014}}</ref> The Channel is {{convert|16.8|km||abbr=on}} long, averages {{convert|1.1|km||abbr=on}} in width, and is up to {{convert|65|m||abbr=on}} deep, with an average channel depth of {{convert|39.2|m||abbr=on}}.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last1=Plew|first1=David R.|last2=Stevens|first2=Craig L.|date=1 September 2013|title=Numerical modelling of the effect of turbines on currents in a tidal channel – Tory Channel, New Zealand|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096014811300092X|journal=Renewable Energy|language=en|volume=57|pages=269–282|doi=10.1016/j.renene.2013.02.001|issn=0960-1481|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

Tory Channel forms a substantial part of the [[ferry]] route between Wellington and [[Picton, New Zealand|Picton]]. Erosion attributed to the wake from the ferries, particularly the new faster ones (discontinued in 2005<ref>{{cite web|title= History of The Lynx|url= https://www.interislander.co.nz/60years/the-lynx/|accessdate= 5 Apr 2023}}</ref>), has resulted in speed restrictions.<ref>{{cite web|title= Ecologically Significant Marine Sites in Marlborough|url= http://www.marlborough.govt.nz/Environment/Coastal/~/media/Files/MDC/Home/Environment/Coastal/Ecologically%20Significant%20Marine%20Sites/Part3SitesArea59.ashx|publisher= Marlborough District Council & Department of Conservation|accessdate= 16 December 2014}}</ref><ref>
{{cite news
|title= Speed limit on Marlborough Sounds upheld
|url= http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10384548
|accessdate= 16 December 2014|work= The New Zealand Herald
|agency= APN New Zealand Limited|date= 1 June 2006
}}
</ref>

One of the two candidates for the easternmost point in the South Island (along with [[Cape Campbell]]) lies at the entrance of Tory Channel. It is called West Head.