
Christchurch loves the Avon, but our feelings about the river are now tinged with sadness. We just need to look at how some of the land and properties on its boundaries have fared since the earthquakes.
This geologically young river has a rich history. It was known as Ōtākaro – “the place of a game” – to local Māori, and was highly regarded as a mahinga kai by Waitaha, Ngāti Māmoe and Ngāi Tahu.
Tautahi is the chief from whom Christchurch Ōtautahi derives its name. In his time, few Māori would have lived in the Ōtākaro area itself. Those that did were known to Māori living outside the region as Ō Roto Repo (swamp dwellers).”
It was later named the Avon after the Avon River in Ayrshire, the home of pioneer settlers and farmers the Deans brothers.
You can find more about the Avon:
- Otakaro – information in Ti Kouka Whenua on this Maori history and use of the Avon.
- Heritage photos of the Avon River in our collection
- Search BiblioCommons for books and information on the Avon.