Kaitangata is a town near the coast of South Otago, New Zealand, on the left bank of the Clutha River ten kilometres south east of Balclutha. Close to the town lies the small lake, Tuakitoto.
According to the 2001 census, the usually resident population of Kaitangata was 789, a decrease of 75 since 1996.
The origin of its name is uncertain. It is the name of a figure in Polynesian mythology, but more likely comes from cannibal feasts held after tribal fighting in the district between Kai Tahu and Kati Mamoe .
Kaitangata's European history is closely tied to coal extraction. One of New Zealand's early industrial disasters occurred at the Kaitangata mine in 1879, when the lives of 34 miners were lost in an underground explosion.
