Kaituna River (Canterbury)

The Kaituna River is a small watercourse[1] which drains the high ground on the Banks Peninsula before discharging into Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora.[2] It gives its name to a steep sheep grazed valley which provides access to the walking tracks and mountain tops of Mount Bradley and Mount Herbert / Te Ahu Pātiki.

Kaituna River
Kaituna River near State Highway 75
Location of the Kaituna River
Kaituna River (Canterbury) (New Zealand)
EtymologyFrom Māori: Kai (meaning food) and tuna (meaning eel)
Location
CountryNew Zealand
RegionCanterbury
Territorial areaChristchurch City
Physical characteristics
SourceMount Herbert / Te Ahu Pātiki
  coordinates43.701745°S 172.758679°E / -43.701745; 172.758679
  elevation670 metres (2,200 ft)
MouthLake Ellesmere / Te Waihora
  coordinates
43.77836°S 172.651005°E / -43.77836; 172.651005
  elevation
2 metres (6 ft 7 in)
Length18 kilometres (11 mi)
Basin features
Tributaries 
  leftOkana Stream

The river and its valley were a traditional ara tawhito (travel route) for Māori living on Banks Peninsula, providing a relatively easy route to connect mahinga kai (food gathering sites) at Te Waihora with the more established settlements around Whakaraupō and Koukourarata to the north.[3]

References

  1. "River flow data - Kaituna". Environment Canterbury. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  2. "Kaituna River at Kaituna Valley Road". LAWA.
  3. "Cultural Atlas - Kaituna". Kā Huru Manu. Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
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