In September 1991, several north‐south transects were made across the Chatham Rise along 179°E, using a ship equipped with a 150 kHz Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP). Current meters were deployed near the crest of the rise. There is good agreement between the ADCP and current meter measurements. Zonal (along‐rise) currents are dominated by diurnal tides, whereas meridian (cross‐rise) currents are dominated by semi‐diurnal tides. An estimate of the mean currents over 4 days of intensive observations over the northern flank of the Chatham Rise shows currents of up to 0.15 m s‐1, probably associated with meanders of the Subtropical Convergence.