The Leatham flows north in a parallel valley to the Branch for most of its length before turning northwest to join with the Branch 6 kilometres (4 mi) from its outflow into the Wairau 40 kilometres (25 mi) south of Richmond, New Zealand.

The Leatham River was named after George Leatham, an agriculture laborer who did tree felling and other timber work in the area during the 1800s.

He is buried in the Karori Cemetery[1] Much of the Leatham Region was part of the Birch Hill Station, an early Wairau Sheep station, once owned by Dr Thomas Renwick, member of the New Zealand Legislative Council.

[2] "Place name detail: Leatham River".

This article about a river in the Marlborough Region is a stub.