Avon/Ōtākaro and Heathcote/Ōpāwaho River Estuary

The Ōtākaro-Avon River Catchment covers an area of approximately 89 km², extending for approximately 29 kilometres from its spring-fed source in Avonhead to the mouth at Te Ihutai (The Estuary of the Avon-Heathcote Rivers). The catchment has traditionally been a significant source of mahinga kai, and an iconic focus of natural, cultural and heritage values since earliest settlement over 600 years ago. Land use in the catchment is typically urban (residential and commercial).

The Ōpāwaho-Heathcote River Catchment flows from the south-west of Christchurch to Te Ihutai (The Estuary of the Avon-Heathcote Rivers). The river is approximately 27 kilometres in length and has an elevation of 0-10 metres above sea level. The catchment has traditionally been a significant source of mahinga kai, and a focus of natural, cultural and heritage values since earliest settlement. 1880 through to 1925 saw significant industrial pollution of the lower reaches of the river. It was not until 1970 that remaining industry had its effluent directed to the sewage treatment plant. Land use in the catchment is urban (residential, commercial and industrial) and rural.