Plunge: Water descends vertically, losing contact with the bedrock surface.

Examples: Omanawa Falls.

Horsetail: Descending water maintains some contact with bedrock.

Examples: Bowen Falls.

Cataract: A large, powerful waterfall.

Examples: Ariki Falls, Huka Falls, Okere Falls.

Multi-step: A series of waterfalls one after another of roughly the same size each with its own sunken plunge pool.

Examples: Kitekite Falls, Wentworth Falls.

Block: Water descends from a relatively wide stream or river.

Examples: Haruru Falls, Rere Falls.

Cascade: Water descends a series of rock steps.

Examples: Wairoa Falls, The Cascade Falls.

Segmented: Distinctly separate flows of water form as it descends.

Examples: Hays Creek Falls, Trident Creek Falls.

Curtain: Water descends from ledge, taller than it's wide but not a ribbon.

Examples: Rainbow Falls, Whangarei Falls, Mokoroa Falls.

Tiered: Water drops in a series of distinct steps or falls.

Examples: Tarawera Falls, Purakaunui Falls.

Punchbowl: Water descends in a constricted form and then spreads out in a wider pool.

Examples: Bridal Veil Falls, Taranaki Falls, Devil's Punchbowl Falls.

Fan: Water spreads horizontally as it descends while remaining in contact with bedrock.

Examples: Owharoa Falls, Marokopa Falls.

Glacier: Water descends a series of waterfalls from a glacier.

Examples: Rob Roy Falls, Mueller Glacier Falls.

Ribbon: Water descends in a narrow strip much taller than it's wide.

Examples: Fox Glacier Waterfalls, Camera Flat Falls.