Port Hills
The Port Hills (Māori: Ngā Kohatu Whakarakaraka o Tamatea Pōkai Whenua) are a range of hills in Canterbury Region of New Zealand, so named because they lie between the city of Christchurch and its port at Lyttelton. They are an eroded remnant of the Lyttelton volcano, which erupted millions of years ago.[1]
The hills start at Godley Head, run approximately east–west along the northern side of Lyttelton Harbour, and continue running to the south, dividing the city from the harbour. The range terminates near Gebbies Pass above the head of the harbour. The range includes a number of summits between 300 and 500 metres above sea level. The range is of significant geological, environmental and scenic importance.[1]
History
The volcano is one of two from which
In February 2017, bush fires in the Port Hills burned for days, destroying over 2000 Ha of bush and several[specify] homes.
Geography and conservation
The Port Hills are a prominent feature of the central Canterbury landscape, being visible for many kilometres from the north and west.
The crest of the Port Hills varies somewhat in height, being lowest at the eastern (seaward) end. Two road passes traverse the Port Hills from Christchurch. Dyers Pass (elevation c. 330 m), almost due south of central Christchurch is the more prominent of the two passes. Evans Pass (elevation c. 200 m), which is near the eastern end of the Port Hills, normally connects Sumner and Lyttelton but was closed since the 2011 Christchurch earthquake caused significant damage to Sumner Road on the Lyttelton side of the pass until reopening in 2019.[4]
Between Evans Pass and Dyers Pass are several significant summits, including
Several suburbs of Christchurch extend onto the northern slopes of the Port Hills, including Cashmere, Mt Pleasant, Heathcote Valley and Sumner. Other parts of the hills are used for farming and forestry, as well as a significant number of scenic reserves created for recreational and conservation purposes, following an initiative by Christchurch councillor Harry Ell at the turn of the 20th century. In 1948 the Summit Road Scenic Society was formed to continue development and maintenance of the reserves.[3]
The hills are an important recreation area for Christchurch residents, with several public parks and reserves, including tracks for mountain biking and walking. A gondola lift to the top of Mount Cavendish was opened in 1992, providing convenient access to the summit and a major tourist attraction for the Canterbury area.[5] The Christchurch Adventure Park was opened in 2016 which provides mountain biking opportunities on the slopes of Worsleys Hill.[6] Road cycling is also very popular on the Port Hills with "short bays" and "long bays" being two of the most popular longer routes.[7]
Demographics
The statistical area of Port Hills covers 44.46 km2 (17.17 sq mi).[8] It had an estimated population of 70 as of June 2023,[9] with a population density of 1.6 people per km2.
Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
---|---|---|
2006 | 84 | — |
2013 | 90 | +0.99% |
2018 | 72 | −4.36% |
Source: [10] |
Port Hills had a population of 72 at the
Ethnicities were 95.8% European/Pākehā, 8.3% Asian, and 4.2% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 20.8, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 58.3% had no religion, 20.8% were Christian, 4.2% were Hindu, 4.2% were Buddhist and 8.3% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 24 (42.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 3 (5.3%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $50,300, compared with $31,800 nationally. 18 people (31.6%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 30 (52.6%) people were employed full-time, 9 (15.8%) were part-time, and 3 (5.3%) were unemployed.[10]
Flora and fauna
Despite the heavy
Indigenous plant species such as Banks Peninsula
The remaining
References
- ^ a b c "Port Hills, Fact Sheet" (PDF). Christchurch City Council. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
- ^ "Port Hills natural history". Christchurch City Council. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
- ^ a b "Port Hills". Christchurch City Council Natural Areas webpage.
- ^ "Sumner Rd could close until 2015". 26 September 2012.
- ^ "Christchurch Gondola celebrates 30 years". Newsline Ōmawete / Coopers Knob. 20 November 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
- ^ "About Us". christchurchadventurepark.com. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
- ^ "The Short and the Long Bays". Kennett Brothers. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
- ^ "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
- ^ "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Port Hills (331600). 2018 Census place summary: Port Hills
- ^ "Port Hills natural history". Christchurch City Council. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
Further reading
- Wall, Arnold (1918). Ferns of the Port Hills. Christchurch: Lyttelton Times Co. Ltd., Printers.
- ISBN 978-0-9583315-6-2.
- Koller, Rosemary (2010). Ferns of the Port Hills. R. Koller and S. Tripp. ISBN 978-0-473-17309-8.
External links
- Port Hills at the Christchurch City Council
- Christchurch Gondola
- Photo album showing earthquake damage in Port Hills suburbs