Port Hills

For the electorate, see Port Hills (New Zealand electorate).

Portion of the Port Hills, with Summit Road

Model of Banks Peninsula; the Port Hills are the volcanic ridge on the left

The Port Hills form the northern rim of the ancient Lyttelton volcano, separating the port of Lyttelton from the city of Christchurch in Canterbury, New Zealand. The volcanic crater is one of two from which Banks Peninsula (Horomaka) was originally formed over 12 million years ago, the Port Hills range running approximately east-west and rising to summits of between 350 and 500 metres above sea level. The range is notable for its significant geological, environmental and recreational importance.

History

The area was first populated by Māori during the 16th century. During early European settlement some 300 years later the Port Hills presented a challenging barrier between the harbour and the planned settlement of Christchurch, their steepness and ruggedness making access extremely difficult. For many years the majority of settlers used the precipitous Bridle Path to transport themselves and their belongings to the plains on the other side. Today the Lyttelton road tunnel and a separate rail tunnel connect the port and the city suburbs, and three road routes crossing the range – via Evans, Dyers and Gebbies passes – are connected by the Summit Road.

Geography and conservation

Several suburbs of Christchurch extend onto the northern slopes of the Port Hills, including Cashmere, 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.

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.

Flora and fauna

Despite the heavy deforestation and clearance of native bush that took place during early settlement, a diverse range of wildlife and plant life populates the Port Hills. Native birds such as the bellbird (korimako or koparara) fantail, silvereye, grey warbler and shining cuckoo are commonly found in the remaining bush. While the wood pigeon often seen in the area is a native to New Zealand others, such as the blackbird, chaffinch and thrush are introduced and very populous species. As well as a great many insect species, gecko and skink are commonly found.

Indigenous plant species such as Banks Peninsula hebe inhabit rock crevices along with rare ferns. The more exposed hillsides are covered with silver tussock and other native grasses, unusually so for an area so close to urban development.

The remaining podocarp forest contains 500-600 year old matai, totara and kahikatea trees as well as fruit and flowering species such as kowhai, ribbonwood, mahoe, cabbage trees, kanuka and fuchsia.

Further reading

• Wall, Arnold (1918). Ferns of the Port Hills. Christchurch: Lyttelton Times Co. Ltd., Printers. 
• Ogilvie, Gordon (2009). The Port Hills of Christchurch. Christchurch: Phillips & King Publishers. ISBN 9780958331562. 
• Koller, Rosemary (2010). Ferns of the Port Hills. ISBN 9780473173098. 

External links

• Port Hills at the Christchurch City Council
• Christchurch Gondola