Natural Waterways of ChristchurchClick image for enlargement.
The Origins of Waterways and Wetlands
The First Settlement
The European Settlement
Restoring our Waterways and Wetlands
An example of restoration - Kirkwood Intermediate
Today, the Waimakariri River forms the northern boundary of Christchurch and is held in its current position by a large stopbank.
There are many other smaller meandering springfed waterways within the Christchurch area and these reflect the former courses of the Waimakariri River. They are the Heathcote, Avon and Styx Rivers, together with the Halswell River that flows along part of the eastern edge of the city.
Natural Waterways of Christchurch
Click image for enlargement.
Smaller tributary waterways feed into these rivers, creating a network of waterways, rather like the veins of the body.
The very nature of the plains meant that in many localities such as Christchurch, groundwater levels were very near the surface, or above the surface. Large wetland habitats established in these areas as can be seen in the early habitat map of Christchurch below.
Christchurch and Estuary in Pre-European Times
Click image for enlargement.
The waterway, wetland, and estuarine ecosystems supported varied and complex food chains. At the bottom level was the plant life, providing habitat and enriching the system with nutrients. On the next level were invertebrates and above them the fish and birds.
The Avon River in the 1860's
A Maori eel weir in the Avon Heathcote Estuary
The European Settlement
Waterways
As the city developed, there was a need to avoid flooding and disease from polluted stagnant water. Consequently, the primary focus of waterway management was draining the land and removing water as quickly as possible. This resulted in the waterways being straightened and channelised and many of the smaller waterways piped underground.
The Avon River looking down from the "new" Provincial Building 1860's
Wetlands
Not only were waterways channelised and piped but wetlands were also drained and filled. Consequently today, wetlands occupy less than 10% of their former area and many of these are still under threat from development.
Hendersons Road natural retention basin after the 1992 snow storm. This area was once a large raupo swamp that is now being used for farming.
Examples of wetlands that have been given protection through public ownership
Sibley's drain looking upstream from Centaurus Rd near the Heathcote River.
People also came to regard many of the channelised waterways as drains, areas to be fenced off or to be used as a good location for a compost heap.
There is now a growing appreciation of the importance of waterways and wetlands. This has resulted in the realization for the need to conserve, restore and enhance these important environmental assets. Consequently, they are now managed not only for their drainage function, but also for their ecological, cultural, recreational, heritage, and landscape values.
The Christchurch City Council, Canterbury Regional Council, and other government organisations have been given the responsibility to ensure that the waterways and wetlands are managed in a sustainable way. Local and central government cannot do it on their own. The task is everyone's responsibility and we need to work together to achieve it.
Community planting day at Farnley Reserve adjacent to the Heathcote River, behind the Centaurus Shops (1996).
In order to do this, the Water Services Unit promotes working together in partnerships with individual people and groups (eg schools, developers, adjacent land owners and the Tangata Whenua) for the protection and restoration of the city's waterways and wetlands.
An example of restoration - Kirkwood Intermediate School
Proper management of Tane's domain, of Tangaroa's realm, Ensures the survival of all people.
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Christchurch City Council PO Box 237, Christchurch, New Zealand Ph +64 3 371-1270, Fax +64 3 371-1384 |
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Christchurch City Council |