Heathcote River

Position of the flux in Christchurch

Heathcote River in Beckenham

The Heathcote River ( Māori Ōpawaho ) is a river in the Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand.

Course

The river runs within the city limits of Christchurch and rises in the district near the Hornby Templeton Road. In heavy rainfall but he also receives inflow from west -lying areas to Pound Road. The catchment area extends to the suburb of Yaldhurst. Then he winds up in an easterly direction to the foot of the Port Hills ..

He happened Wigram, Hillmorton, Hoon Hay, Spreydon, Cracroft, Cashmere, Beckenham, St Martins, Opawa, Woolston and Ferrymead.

He mündert together with the Avon River in a common estuary, from which the water flows in the Pegasus Bay of the Pacific.

The Heathcote River by William Heathcote, secretary of the Canterbury Association, named.

Use by the Māori

The original name of the river, " Ō- pa - waho " means " place of the outwardly located Pā " and refers to one there as an outpost ( waho ) of Kaiapoi scale attachment (PA). The Pā was on higher ground base downriver today Opawa Road Bridge built. He served the traveling on the Banks Peninsula between Kaiapoi and Horomaka from Māori iwi of Ngai Tahuals resting place. The environment was an important mahinga kai, a food source especially for Tuere ( Blindaal ) and lampreys ( kanakana ).

Prior to the urbanization of the area, the river drew in meanders through an extensive wetland. Historical maps from the mid-19th century, the so-called "Black Maps", show that the flow at the time of dense stands ausNeuseelandflachs ( Harakeke ) Toetoe, Raupo, Tutu and ferns was surrounded by cabbage trees (ti kouka ) were interspersed.

The low-lying river valley was very damp and flood the nearby Waimakariri River could even high land are flooded.

For several centuries, the river served as a source of food and transportation. The Waitaha Iwi, Ngai Tahu and Kati mamoe had a close relationship with him. In the swamp forest water and forest birds were caught in water traps were Whitebait ( Inanga ), flounder ( Patiki ) and eel ( tuna) caught.

380467
de