Papatowai is a small settlement in the Catlins ward of the Clutha District of the southeastern South Island of New Zealand.
The settlement is situated half-way between the cities of Dunedin and Invercargill, on the Pacific coast close to the mouth of the Tahakopa River.
The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "tōwai tree flat" for Papatōwai.
[1] Papatowai is surrounded by native podocarp forest and there are numerous walks in the area to waterfalls, and sand beaches in addition to bushwalks.
There is also a walk to an archaeological site where it is possible to see middens left by early Māori inhabitants of the area.