Avon Heathcote Estuary

Story

The Estuary of the Heathcote and Avon Rivers / Ihutai is the largest semi-enclosed shallow estuary in Canterbury and remains one of New Zealand’s most important coastal wetlands. It is well known as an internationally important habitat for migratory birds, and it is an important recreational playground and educational resource. It was once highly valued for mahinga kai (Māori for food gathering).LocationThe Avon River enters the estuary from the northwest, and the Heathcote River from the south-west. The estuary has a triangular shape, a short inlet connection with Pegasus Bay, and is primarily enclosed by the 4km long Brighton Spit, on which the suburbs New Brighton, South New Brighton and Southshore are located.The most prominent features of the inlet are the single deep channel between Rapanui Rock ("Shag Rock") and Brighton Spit.DescriptionThe estuary has an area of 8km2, is shallow—the mean at high water of ordinary spring tides is 1.4m—and predominantly intertidal, as only about 15 percent of the area lies below low water of ordinary spring tides .Official nameThe estuary's official name became Estuary of the Heathcote and Avon Rivers / Ihutai as a result of the Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998.