2009. Mulgans Track and Aranoni Track, Clifton and Sumner

2009. Moncks Bay, Avon-Heathcote Estuary, Christchurch

I parked my car beside Main Road by Moncks Bay near Avon- Heathcote Estuary mouth, as I wanted to walk up Mulgans Track, go over the top of Clifton Hill and walk down Aranoni Track to Sumner. The Sumner / Redcliffs Rowing Club old wooden shed stood on posts above the water. The shed was later owned by Christchurch Yacht Club. A roadside info board gave the history:

"THE SUMNER AMATEUR ROWING CLUB

The Sumner Amateur Rowing club (later Redcliffs Rowing Club) was formed in 1909. The building was built from wood from old Burns Jetty which stood near Shag rock in 1912.

During World War 11 because the men were away overseas the Club went into recess and the Sumner Borough Council used it as Morgue No 2 in case of the arrival of the Japanese.

Later when Kerrs Reach was constructed the club folded and the building was finally bought by Christchurch Yacht Club." (CCC)

After the 13.06.11 earthquake, the Rowing Club shed was demolished, as it had quake-tilted towards the estuary.


2009. Rowing Club Info Board, Main Road, Moncks Bay, Christchurch


2009. Start of Mulgans Track, Main Road, Christchurch

I crossed Main Road, and by a cliff-front house I began the steep climb up tarsealed Mulgans Track. I passed iceplants, cotyledons, geraniums and echiums on the north-facing cliff, while zigzagging up, reminding me of Flowers Track and Edwin Mouldey Track on Scarborough.

Going up, I had spectacular views of Barnett Park, Moncks Spur, Mount Pleasant, Redcliffs and moored yachts in Moncks Bay.


2009. Mulgans Track view of Main Road, Moncks Bay, Avon- Heathcote Estuary & Redcliffs, Christchurch


2009. Mulgans Track view towards Barnett Park, Port Hills, Christchurch


2009. Kinsey Terrace view of Moncks Bay, Redcliffs, Avon-Heathcote Estuary, Canterbury Plains & Southern Alps


2009. Kinsey Terrace view of Avon-Heathcote Estuary, Canterbury Plains & Southern Alps


2009. Kinsey Terrace view of Moncks Bay, Redcliffs, Moncks Spur & Mount Pleasant, Christchurch


2009. Kinsey Terrace view of Avon-Heathcote Estuary, Southshore Spit, Redcliffs, Canterbury Plains & Southern Alps

At the top of Mulgans Track I walked up Kinsey Terrace a bit while admiring views over rooftops of Avon-Heathcote Estuary, Southshore Spit and beyond to Canterbury Plains and snowy Alps. Kinsey Terrace was badly damaged during 2010-2011 earthquakes.

I turned right up a steep tarsealed right-of-way between houses, and slogged straight up till I came to Tuawera Terrace. (Also badly damaged during 2010-2011 quakes).


2009. Right-of-Way below Kinsey Terrace view of Southshore Spit, Avon-Heathcote Estuary, Christchurch


2009. Tuawera Terrace view of Avon-Heathcote Estuary, Canterbury Plains & Southern Alps

Like Kinsey Terrace, Tuawera Terrace went over the top of Clifton Hill and down the other side to Clifton Terrace. I admired views of Sumner Beach, Cave Rock, Sumner Esplanade and Scarborough.

Sumner was badly damaged by the 22.02.11 earthquake. During the 13.06.11 quake, at the end of Scarborough, a large chunk of sea cliff fell from Whitewash Head into the Pacific, thus changing Whitewash Head Track. Scarborough end tracks were fence cordon closed for months.


2009. Tuawera Terrace view of Cave Rock, Sumner Esplanade & Scarborough


2009. Top of Aranoni Track with Cave Rock backdrop, Sumner, Christchurch


2009. Aranoni Track view of Sumner beachfront, Cave Rock & Pacific Ocean


2009. Lower Aranoni Track view of Nayland Street, Sumner & Scarborough

I crossed Clifton Terrace and went down Aranoni Track towards Sumner. Aranoni Track had wooden, tarsealed and concrete steps. I zigzagged down with glimpses of Cave Rock and Sumner through shrubs and trees.


2009. Nayland Street view of start of Aranoni Track up Clifton Hill. See bolted rocks above garage, left.

Clifton Hill was so steep, I watched a workman riding up to a house in a small gondola from Nayland Street. I walked along Nayland Street, and looked at cliff faces above garages and flats, protected by thick wire-mesh bolted against the cliffs. I thought building and living below a bolted cliff was insane, due to cold, water and falling rock hazards.

During the 22.02.11 quake, tons of rock fell on Sumner, destroying a Returned Servicemen building, crunching newly built wooden housing there. Several houses and cottages were closed due to falling rocks hazard. During subsequent quakes, a shipping container cordon lined Wakefield Ave, protecting buildings and people from rockfalls.

Post quakes, on the other side of Sumner, Heberden Ave had several shipping container cordons below Scarborough bluffs. For months during aftershocks, huge rocks fell on Wakefield Ave from Richmond Hill bluffs and on Heberden Ave from Scarborough bluffs.


2009. Nayland Street, Sumner view of Clifton Hill, Christchurch. Nayland Street buildings were damaged by the 22.02.11 and 13.06.11 quakes

I strolled to the old Sumner Borough Council Chambers on the corner of Nayland Street and Wakefield Avenue, where I snapped the WW1 grey granite war memorial embedded in the wall.

Old, brick Sumner Borough Council Chambers was trashed by the 22.02.11 quake and demolished after the 13.06.11 quake.


2009. WW1 Memorial on Sumner Borough Council Chambers wall, Nayland Street & Wakefield Avenue corner, Christchurch. The bldg was trashed by the 22.02.11 quake and demolished


2009. Sumner Coronation Garden, Main Road, Sumner, Christchurch

At Clifton Bay, I stopped at Sumner Coronation Garden opposite Sumner beach to look at pohutukawas, palms, yuccas and Natal aloes. At the back of the garden a lamp memorial had a grey granite plaque stating:

"...TO COMMEMORATE THE CORONATION OF
HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH 11"


2009. Coronation Memorial to "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11," Coronation Garden, Clifton Bay, Sumner, Christchurch. The 22.02.11 quake trashed Clifton Bay garden walls

A garden info board told of early Sumner:

"BEFORE THE FIRST FOUR SHIPS

Sumner was surveyed as a suitable access port for the new city of Christchurch. On this spot the first buildings were erected in anticipation of the arrival of the Canterbury Association settlers in 1850.

... In late 1849 a store was built here for the Canterbury Association to house goods in transit from Lyttelton to the city site.

A PIONEER ENTREPRENEUR

Like most successful pioneers, the first permanent resident in Sumner in 1849, George Day, could turn his hand to anything.

Goods shipped by Day in his 10-ton schooner Flirt, here to Clifton Bay from Banks Peninsular included timber for the Christchurch barracks and the first government buildings. He supervised North Island Maori labourers working on the road from Lyttelton to Sumner and became the first publican in Sumner.

In 1854 Day bought the Canterbury Association store and converted it into a hotel. A landmark here for many years, it became known as Days Hotel.


2009. Sumner History Info board, Sumner Coronation Garden, Clifton Bay, Christchurch

ACROSS THE BAR

Crossing the Sumner bar proved treacherous. The first recorded mishap involved three notable pioneer families.

In 1845, the Gebbies and Mansons set off from Deans farm at Riccarton to take up land at the head of Lyttelton harbour. In rough seas the men offloaded the women and children on the beach here to spend a cold night in a nearby cave. The men set off across the bar, but the boat capsized. They all survived although William Deans reached shore only by clinging to a box of tea.

Despite the difficulties, until the railway linking Lyttelton and Christchurch was completed in 1867 all heavy goods were landed here then shipped across the bar to the Avon or Heathcote rivers." (CCC)


2009. Clifton Hill Sea Cliff, Main Road, Sumner. The 22.02.11 quake caused rockfalls from Clifton Hill Sea Cliff. Along Main Road, for months shipping containers cordoned the cliff base, after 22.02.11 and 13.06.11 quakes

I walked along Main Road with Sumner beach on my right and volcanic layers of Clifton sea cliff on my left. I walked past Gallons Point Cave and watched pigeons roosting on the sea cliff. Cars, walkers and cyclists passed me by.

The 22.02.11 quake caused tons of rock to fall off the sea cliff. After the quake, by Avon- Heathcote Estuary mouth, near Shag Rock two layers of roadside shipping containers protected traffic from falling rocks for months.


2009. Hazard Signs, Shag Rock, Avon-Heathcote Estuary Mouth, Main Road, Christchurch. The 04.09.10 quake, 22.02.11 quake and 13.06.11 quake shattered and crumbled Shag Rock

On the roadside by Shag Rock, signs warned about strong currents, inshore holes, submerged rocks and falling rocks, as Main Road turned sharply round Clifton sea cliff by Avon-Heathcote Estuary mouth towards Moncks Bay.

I stopped and watched walkers on the beach by Shag Rock, and read a roadside info board about Maori settlements, fishing and Shag Rock:

"LIVING NEAR THE ESTUARY

Early Waitaha had two main settlements near this estuary. They lived here year-round, taking advantage of the plentiful supply of eels, fish and shellfish.

When Europeans arrived Ngai Tahu no longer lived here, but still regularly visited their traditional food gathering sites.


2009. Info Board: Ancient Maori Fishing, Settlements & Rapanui, near Shag Rock, Main Road, Christchurch

A FISHING LIFE

From the arrival of the first people, the waters and mudflats of this estuary have provided many foods.

FISHING FOR FLOUNDER

Fishing grounds for flounder stretch across the mudflats from Redcliffs... their name Wai-pataki.

In early times Ngai Tahu waded the shallow water to fish for pataki by torchlight, using pronged wooden spears... In the right season, they caught the fish in kaka nets of woven flax.

Dried pataki were stored for winter and exchanged with other settlements. Hung on racks, the rows of drying fish were protected by a rough roof of raupo or flax.


2009. Shag Rock, Avon-Heathcote Estuary Mouth, Main Road, Christchurch. The 04.09.10 quake, 22.02.11 quake and 13.06.11 quake shattered and crumbled Shag Rock

RAPANUI - SHAG ROCK

This striking column of rock guarding the entrance to the estuary is one of the oldest landmarks in Canterbury. Its ancient name Rapanui likens the rock to the sternpost of a canoe." (CCC)

The 04.09.10 quake, 22.02.11 quake & 13.06.11 quake shattered and crumbled Shag Rock.


2009. Rapanui - Shag Rock, Avon-Heathcote Estuary Mouth, Main Road, Christchurch. The 04.09.10 quake, 22.02.11 quake & 13.06.11 quake shattered and crumbled Shag Rock

Given sewage and other estuary pollution, I doubted flounders were caught in Avon-Heathcote Estuary in 2009. Only flounders were idiots allowing pollution to happen. I looked across Avon-Heathcote Estuary towards Bromley sewage farm and thought of Shelley's words:

"My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings:
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!"

Although Christchurch City Council claimed that water flushing from Bromley sewage farm into the estuary was clean, I wondered why it was necessary in 2008 for CCC to build a pipe to flush sewage directly into the Pacific? I though of all the waterbirds crapping in the estuary, and all the horse, cow and sheep dung flushed into the estuary by streams I'd crossed in Port Hills valleys. I thought kayakers paddling Christchurch rivers and Avon-Heathcote estuary would get the shits.

With wintry Pacific winds on my back, I returned to my car, enjoying views of Moncks Bay, Avon-Heathcote Estuary, Port Hills, Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps. The circuit walk took me 1 hour 45 minutes, with many stops.

Coda: In April 2010 Christchurch City Council's "our christchurch" journal rejoiced at opening the Council's Ocean Outfall pipe, which flushed Christchurch sewage into the Pacific:

"Christchurch's biggest construction project to date - the $87.2 million Ocean Outfall pipeline - is now in operation after a community opening ceremony in March." With Christchurch city sewage flushed into the Pacific, I wondered what effect it would have on coastline ecology northwards to Brooklands Lagoon, Waimakariri River, Ashley River and Pegasus Bay, and southwards to Lyttleton Harbour, Port Levy and Banks Peninsula?

The 2010-2011 Christchurch quakes caused huge damage to Christchurch sewage system, at Bromley sewage ponds and especially eastern suburbs. Thousands of quake damaged houses were red zone condemned and abandoned.

It would take years to fix Christchurch sewage system. Months after the quakes, sucker trucks from all over NZ roamed Christchurch, sucking & unblocking drains & sewage pipes.

One sucker truck I saw in Bexley had the tanker logo: YOU POO WE SUCK. Another sucker truck, regularly parked on Geraldine St, had a SLURP registration plate.

For months after after the quakes, Avon River and Heathcote River were used as open sewers to relieve Christchurch's quake trashed sewage system. It would take years to clean sewage polluted Avon-Heathcote Estuary. So much for Clean Green NZ.

Content & pics Copyright Mark JS Esslemont.

2009. Eastenders Track, Barnett Park, Christchurch

2009. Bay View Road Entrance to Barnett Park, Redcliffs, Christchurch

I parked my car at Barnett Park carpark, by Ferrymead Bays Soccer fields, as I wanted to climb Eastenders Track to the top of Clifton Hill by Summit Road, Port Hills. I walked past several Saturday afternoon soccer matches with fit players and fat linesmen.

I went up the eastside of Barnett Park Valley, crossed a stile and wooden footbridge, and crossed another stile and wooden footbridge over the valley stream by Bay View Road entrance, where a sign stated:

BARNETT PARK
WALKWAY

THIS WALKWAY PASSES
THROUGH LAND WHICH
HAS BEEN LET FOR
GRAZING

DOGS MUST BE
KEPT ON A LEASH
AT ALL TIMES


2009. Lower Barnett Park Walkway, Redcliffs Christchurch

I followed a grey-haired couple through a cattle paddock and passed a pylon on my left. I crossed another footbridge over the stream and climbed the steep path on the eastside of the valley, up Clifton Hill. On the fourth footbridge I passed the wheezing couple while they stopped and looked at the valley view.


2009. Barnett Park Walkway view of Moncks Spur & Avon-Heathcote Estuary, Christchurch

At the EASTENDERS TRACK / CAVE junction, I briefly went left up Eastenders Track, crossed a stile, and turned right along a muddy cattle track beside the fence, to make my walk more interesting.

I reasoned that stock tracks would be the easiest way up, so I followed hoofprints and dung. I headed towards caves at the valley head, then scrambled over rocks up the valley wall parallel to the ridge where Eastenders Track went.


2009. Barnett Park Walkway going towards Caves, Port Hills, Christchurch


2009. Clifton Hill view of Moncks Spur, Avon-Heathcote Estuary & Pegasus Bay, Christchurch


2009. Clifton Hill view of Eastenders Track ridge, Barnett Park, Monks Spur, Redcliffs, Avon-Heathcote Estuary, Pegasus Bay & Southern Alps


2009. Clifton Hill view of wintry Redcliffs, Avon-Heathcote Estuary, Pegasus Bay & Southern Alps

I became intimate with cow dung, sheep dung and divaricating Muehlenbeckia, and at times slipped my jandals off to climb the slippery slope over rocks and grazed grass. In windy tussock grassland above the cave bluffs, I had views of John Britten Reserve on the skyline to my left, wintry Christchurch westwards, Pegasus Bay beyond New Brighton Pier and Avon-Heathcote Estuary. The wind was strong, so I had to hold my Nikon firmly to stop blurry coolpix.


2009. Clifton Hill view of skyline John Britten Reserve, Port Hills, Christchurch


2009. Clifton Hill western view over Port Hills, Canterbury Plains & Southern Alps

I saw the grey couple up on my left and thereafter I lost them in the hills. The higher I went in tussock grassland the colder it became, due to a chilly southerly, which blew clouds over the Port Hills, like a tablecloth.


2009. Summit Road view of skyline John Britten Reserve, Port Hills, Christchurch


2009. Summit Road view of wintry Avon-Heathcote Estuary & Southern Alps

I reached the top in 1 hour by a pine shelterbelt, Summit Road. I coolpixed views, but didn't linger, as the southerly raced clouds down valleys and threatened me with hypothermia.

I crossed flat top Clifton Hill and walked down Summit Road a bit to snap Sumner Valley and Scarborough. When clouds lifted briefly, I glimpsed Evans Pass and beyond to Lyttelton Harbour. It was pointless me summiting Mount Pleasant as it was cloud-covered.


2009. Clifton Hill view of wintry Sumner & Scarborough, Port Hills, Christchurch


2009. Summit Road glimpses of Evans Pass & Lyttelton Harbour left. Cloudy Banks Peninsula backdrop

By a sharp corner, three cyclists passed me when I returned up Summit Road to the pine shelterbelt. I crossed a stile into Greenwood Park on top of Clifton Hill.


2009. Greenwood Park on Clifton Hill view of wintry Avon-Heathcote Estuary & Pegasus Bay, Christchurch


2009. Clifton Hill view of misty Moncks Spur, Avon-Heathcote Estuary & Pegasus Bay, Christchurch


2009. Clifton Hill view of wintry Moncks Spur, Redcliffs, Avon-Heathcote Estuary & Pegasus Bay, Christchurch

Clouds raced over Port Hills down Barnett Park Valley and Sumner Valley, then dissipated in rising warmth. Sheep and cattle trotted downhill to avoid the cold, wet wind.

I crossed a stile and quickly walked down a wide, grassy track on Clifton Hill. I crossed another stile, and further down the green track I found upper EASTENDERS TRACK sign.


2009. Upper Eastenders Track view of wintry Redcliffs, Avon- Heathcote Estuary & Pegasus Bay, Christchurch


2009. Eastenders Track view of wintry Redcliffs, Avon-Heathcote Estuary & Pegasus Bay, Christchurch

Further down Eastenders Track I passed cattle by a round reservoir, crossed another stile, passed an unused footbridge due to a mud slip, then zigzagged down Eastenders Track, guided by fence standards with orange plastic caps beside the track.

On my way down, I enjoyed views of cloudy Christchurch, low tide Avon-Heathcote Estuary, Pegasus Bay and glimpses of snowy Alps above clouds.


2009. Eastenders Track view of wintry Barnett Park Caves, Port Hills, Christchurch


2009. Eastenders Track view of wintry Barnett Park, Redcliffs, Avon-Heathcote Estuary & Pegasus Bay, Christchurch

I recrossed the stile above lower Eastenders Track sign, and returned to my car the way I'd come up. Eastenders Track stiles had red and white NO BIKES signs. A young couple returning from the caves followed me down. A man, slogging upwards, rocked his head in greeting.


2009. Ferrymead Bays Soccer, Barnett Park, Redcliffs, Christchurch

By my car, soccer matches were still playing, spectators clad in winter clothes.

Downhill walk time from Summit Road: 50 minutes.

Content & pics Copyright Mark JS Esslemont

2009. Barnett Park Walkway and Caves, Redcliffs

2009. Barnett Park Carpark, Redcliffs. Port Hills backdrop, Christchurch

I parked my Toyota at Barnett Park carpark off Main Road, Redcliffs, as I wanted to walk Barnett Park Walkway to the big cave below John Britten Reserve in the Port Hills. By the carpark a wooden sign stated:

BARNETT PARK WALKWAY
CAVE AND COASTAL VIEWS
ROUND TRIP 1 HR 45 MINS


2009. Barnett Park Walkway Sign, Redcliffs, Christchurch


2009. Barnett Park Information, Redcliffs, Christchurch

A carpark info board described walks in Barnett Park, Redcliffs and Moncks Bay. A REDCLIFFS RIFLE RANGE info board stated:

"Redcliffs and Moncks Bay played a part in the military history of Christchurch throughout the 20th century. During the first and second World Wars defensive positions were built on vantage points on the Port Hills and along the coast from Ferrymead to Lyttelton.

The Redcliffs Rifle Range was opened in 1902 on land leased from JS Monck the owner. It was renamed Barnett Park in the 1960s.

The most accessible pillbox along the coast is a few minutes walk from here, on the coastal path to Sumner. It housed a medium machine gun.

Day-to-day living took second place to the war effort in many of New Zealand's coastal communities during World War 2. Here at Redcliffs soldiers recuperated in the local school and its pupils were taken by tram to Woolston School.

A hospital for minor surgery was set up in the park..." (CCC)


2009. Barnett Park Military History, Redcliffs, Christchurch

I walked to the end of muddy soccer fields, and crossed a stile on Moncks Spur side of the valley. In the leased cattle and sheep paddock a wooden sign stated:

BARNETT PARK WALKWAY
ROUND TRIP 1 HR 30 MINS

A blue and white sign below stated:

DOGS ON LEAD
THIS LAND LEASED FOR GRAZING...


2009. Stile at start of Barnett Park Walkway below Moncks Spur, Christchurch

During my Barnett Park circuit-walk I saw several walkers with their dogs, and not one dog was leashed. A green sign had pictures forbidding things like biking, horseriding, shooting... and ended with the slogan, "Take only photographs. Leave only footprints."


2009. Barnett Park Walkway view of Gorse Infestation, Port Hills, Christchurch

I walked the steep path up the west side of the narrow valley, below bluffs and caves. I passed dead, sprayed gorse beside the path, which was useless, as above the fence towards Moncks Spur housing, gorse grew prolifically. Beyond the cattle paddock, gorse infestation increased then changed to native bush and grass higher up the valley.


2009. Barnett Park Walkway view towards Avon-Heathcote Estuary, Christchurch

I crossed a duckboard bridge over a dry gully stream, and on the east side of the valley I saw teenagers wandering downwards. On my way up I passed through a small gate, and a woman and her leadless dog passed me going down. A man with long blonde hair and his two leadless dogs passed me going up. A man in black, nattering on his cellphone, smiled, going down.


2009. Barnett Park Walkway view of valley towards Avon-Heathcote Estuary & Southshore Spit, Christchurch

Valley walls closed in, and I passed below pylon cables strung from a pylon on top of Moncks Spur across the valley to a pylon on the valley floor beside a stream on the east side. I sat on a wooden bench, and drank Schweppes Sparkling Duet, while admiring views over low tide Avon-Heathcote Estuary, cloudy Pegasus Bay beyond.


2009. Barnett Park Walkway Pigs Ear, Cotyledon orbiculata, (from Namaqualand), Port Hills, Christchurch

Red-flowering Pigs Ear, Cotyledon orbiculata, grew amongst rocks and native scrub, some smothered by native Muehlenbeckia creeper. Valley-sides were full of caves, and I passed below a cave which had rock-climbing pitons attached to the cave roof and rock wall above the cave. I passed another wooden bench below a bluff, and dodged dog crap on the path.


2009. Barnett Park Walkway view of valley towards misty Avon-Heathcote Estuary, Christchurch


2009. Barnett Park Walkway view of valley Caves, Port Hills Christchurch


2009. Barnett Park Walkway valley head Caves, Port Hills, Christchurch


2009. Caves at valley head of Barnett Park Walkway, Christchurch

I crossed a wooden footbridge over a gully and passed another wooden bench on my way up. At the valley-head, I climbed a series of 100 wooden steps to the big cave. Beyond, two more big caves loomed, one with its own waterfall.

Sheltered from the chill wind, I lingered in the dry, sandy cave, and coolpixed the cave, narrow valley and Avon-Heathcote Estuary.


2009. Barnett Park Walkway Cave view down valley to Avon- Heathcote Estuary, Christchurch


2009. Barnett Park Walkway Cave view of valley, Avon-Heathcote Estuary, Southshore Spit & misty Pegasus Bay, Christchurch


2009. Barnett Park Walkway view of native bush & misty valley head, Port Hills, Christchurch


2009. Barnett Park Walkway junction to Eastenders Track & Cave, Port Hills, Christchurch

I walked down the east side of the valley, and dodged more dog drols on the path. I passed a wooden sign pointing up to EASTENDERS TRACK and CAVE. I admired bits of native bush beside the path, but beyond Barnett Park fence on upper slopes cattle grazed tussock grassland.


2009. Barnett Park Walkway, Moncks Spur left. Avon-Heathcote Estuary, Southshore Spit & misty Pegasus Bay backdrop, Christchurch


2009. Bottom of Barnett Park Walkway. Avon-Heathcote Estuary & Southshore Spit backdrop, Christchurch

Further down I passed through gorse again, and sat on a bench and watched a fantail watching me from the banister of a wooden footbridge. Below, I watched a couple walk beside the stream on the valley floor, past cattle and sheep to the end of the paddock, then climb up the west side of the valley and begin their cave walk.


2009. Barnett Park Walkway, Port Hills, Christchurch

At the bottom of the valley, I crossed a wooden footbridge over the stream, by the lower pylon, and returned to my car. The walk took me 1 hr 30 mins.


2009. Moncks Cave off Main Road, Redcliffs, Christchurch. After the 22.02.11 earthquake, the cave entrance was used as a rubble dump

Back on Main Road, I parked at Cave Terrace near Redcliffs New World supermarket to see Moncks Cave, where a man pushed a pram and looked at Moncks Cave with his infant son. Hanging over the cave mouth was an iceplant curtain. (After the 22.02.11 earthquake, New World supermarket was demolished & the cave entrance was used as temp rubble dump). An info board beside Moncks Cave stated:

"Interpreting the past

Here in Redcliffs are three nationally significant architectural sites. Buried in the sandy floors of two caves are traces of the first people who used them for shelter. Nearby is one of the oldest Waitaha settlement sites in Canterbury. From these sites archeologists can interpret information from the past.


2009. Moncks Cave Information, Redcliffs, Christchurch

A changing lifestyle.

About 700 years ago people were living in a large settlement, Rae Kura, among sandhills where the Redcliffs School now is. At about the same time, people used caves like this one for shelter and other activities.

By analysing the material they left behind archeologists have learnt a lot about the hunter-gatherer lifestyle of these early people - the food they ate, the implements they used, and how they made their stone tools.

Radiocarbon dating shows that 600 to 700 years ago people were hunting and eating moa as one of their main foods. They prepared them and ate them in the large cave, Te Ana O Huneraki, Moa-Bone Point Cave further along the Main Road. The cave floor yielded bones of moa, sea mammals, and smaller bird and fish bones.

But by 500 to 600 years ago, people were relying on other food. Here at Moncks Cave the only moa bone found had been worked into artefacts. Nothing suggested the people had been eating moa. The archeologists conclude that moa were no longer available in the area.

Many artefacts and treasures collected from these sites in the nineteenth century are now in the Canterbury Museum..." (CCC)

Like no more moa, in 2009 few Maori lived in upmarket Redcliffs.

Redcliffs was badly damaged by the 22.02.11 earthquake.


2009. Moncks Cave view of Main Road, Redcliffs, Christchurch

Content & pics Copyright Mark JS Esslemont