Makarora is a small community within the Queenstown-Lakes District of the Otago region of the South Island of New Zealand.

It is situated on State Highway 6 on the eastern side of the Haast Pass and adjacent to the Makarora River.

Local tourism operators offer scenic plane flights and jetboating tours on the Makarora River, which is the border of the Mount Aspiring National Park.

The 2022 film Nude Tuesday was shot at the Wonderland Lodge in Makarora.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 64.7% had no religion, and 29.3% were Christian.