Akaroa Historical Overview - Christchurch City Council
Akaroa Historical Overview - Christchurch City Council
Akaroa Historical Overview - Christchurch City Council
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EXTANT TOWN FABRIC & FEATURES DATING FROM PRE 1840<br />
Vegetation:<br />
Small stands and specimen Kahikatea, Totara and Matai are still visible in a<br />
number of properties in the upper valley areas, particularly Grehan Valley<br />
and upper Woodills Road. Many of these are understood to be over 700 years<br />
old. Specific examples include:<br />
• Tree Crop Farm, upper Rue Greehan - Kahikatea<br />
• Mill Cottage , 81 Rue Greehan - Kahikatea<br />
• Potter's Croft, 57 Rue Grehan - two Kahikatea<br />
• The Herb Farm, Upper Rue Grehan - Kahikatea and Matai<br />
Other properties in the Grehan Valley, including 121 Grehan Valley Rd are also<br />
known to have venerable Kahikatea and Totara and gardens in Woodills Road<br />
and Watson Street have a range of significant native species which include:<br />
• 67 Woodills Road – a group of 3 Totara and one Kahikatea<br />
• 14 Watson St - A group of 2 Rimu and 2 Tanekaha<br />
There are undoubtedly more surviving ancient specimens on the elevated<br />
valley slopes above the town. In the wider <strong>Akaroa</strong> area there are a number of<br />
locally rare and uncommon plants as documented by Hugh Wilson.*<br />
There are also threatened, nationally endangered, vulnerable and critical<br />
species in the wider landscape.**<br />
Landforms:<br />
Despite the loss of vegetation, the landforms which provide the town with its<br />
dramatical physical setting are unchanged.<br />
Watercourses:<br />
<strong>Akaroa</strong>'s four streams are understood to still reflect their pre-1840 courses.<br />
They continue to remain visible landmarks in the town however their names<br />
have been changed post 1840. They are now known as:<br />
• Walnut Stream<br />
• Aylmers Stream<br />
• Balguerie Stream<br />
• Grehan Stream<br />
Whaling industry fabric:<br />
Although not directly connected with the <strong>Akaroa</strong> township the whale try pots<br />
are part of the wider Banks Peninsular history and are a tangible reminder of<br />
this early industry.<br />
Significant <strong>Historical</strong> View Shaft:<br />
• views of Tuhiraki<br />
* Wilson, H. (2001) Rare plants of Banks Peninsula, Canterbury. Botanical Society<br />
Journal, Vol 37, pp. 21-31<br />
** de Lange, P. (2004) New Zealand Journal of Botany, Vol 42<br />
AKAROA HERITAGE OVERVIEW : SECTION 3 LANDSCAPE & HUMAN HISTORY TO 1840 PAGE 12