Ōtara Creek

Ōtara Creek
The mouth of the creek as it enters the Tāmaki River
Route of the Ōtara Creek
Mouth of the Ōtara Creek Show map of Auckland Ōtara Creek (New Zealand) Show map of New Zealand
Location
Country	New Zealand
Region	Auckland Region
Physical characteristics
Source	Papatoetoe
• coordinates	36.97782°S 174.87351°E / -36.97782; 174.87351
Mouth	Tāmaki River
• coordinates	36.94539°S 174.86224°E / -36.94539; 174.86224
Basin features
Progression	Ōtara Creek → Tāmaki River → Tāmaki Strait → Hauraki Gulf → Pacific Ocean
Bridges	Ōtara Creek Bridge, Ōtara Creek Pedestrian Bridge

The Ōtara Creek, is a major stream in South Auckland, in the Auckland Region of New Zealand's North Island. It flows northwards, then westwards into the Tāmaki River.

Etymology

Pukewairiki, near the mouth of the Ōtara Creek

Aerial view of the Ōtara Creek in 1959

The name of the creek comes from its name in Māori, Te Waiōtara. The name literally means "The Waters of Tara", referencing Tara Te Irirangi, a Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki rangatira of the early 19th Century.[1][2] During the 19th and early 20th centuries, European farmers referred to the creek as Goodfellow's Creek.[3]

Description

The creek begins in Papatoetoe, near Allenby Park and Papatoetoe High School. It flows north through the suburbs of Papatoetoe and Ōtara, becoming a tidal estuary that separates Ōtara from East Tāmaki in the north.[4] The tidal creek flows into Pukewairiki, a volcanic maar that erupted an estimated 130,000 years ago.[5][6][4]

The creek's catchment covers an area of 3,477 hectares (8,590 acres).[7]

History

The creek is in the traditional rohe of Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki. The stream was used as a source for freshwater resources, including koura and eels, and the banks of the stream were the location of many kāinga.[1][2]

In 2007, a 210 metres (690 ft) bridge was constructed at the mouth of the creek along Highbrook Drive, as a new motorway exchange to connect East Tāmaki to the Auckland Southern Motorway.[8]

In June 2016, the Ōtara Waterways & Lake Trust was formed, as a community organisation that focused on the clean-up and revitalisation of the creek.[9][10]

Amenities

The Ōtara Path is a major walking path on the western/southern banks of the creek.[11] Ngāti Ōtara Park is a large park found on the southern banks of the creek.[12] In 2020, a new public bridge was constructed at Ōtara Creek Reserve, crossing the creek.[13]

See also

• List of rivers of New Zealand

References

1. Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua (December 2012). Redoubt Road – Mill Road Corridor Project Maori Values Assessment for Auckland Transport (PDF) (Report). Auckland Transport. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
2. Green, Nat (2010). Ōtau: a Ngāi Tai Cultural Heritage Assessment of Clevedon Village, Wairoa Valley (PDF) (Report). Auckland Council. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
3. Clark, Jennifer A. (2002). East Tamaki: Including the Adjoining Areas of Flat Bush and Otara. Papatoetoe Historical Society. p. 28. ISBN 0-473-09058-9. OCLC 156099387. Wikidata Q120020174.
4. "Ōtara Creek". New Zealand Gazetteer. Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
5. Hopkins, Jenni L.; Smid, Elaine R.; Eccles, Jennifer D.; Hayes, Josh L.; Hayward, Bruce W.; McGee, Lucy E.; van Wijk, Kasper; Wilson, Thomas M.; Cronin, Shane J.; Leonard, Graham S.; Lindsay, Jan M.; Németh, Karoly; Smith, Ian E. M. (3 July 2021). "Auckland Volcanic Field magmatism, volcanism, and hazard: a review". New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics. 64 (2–3): 213–234. doi:10.1080/00288306.2020.1736102. hdl:2292/51323. S2CID 216443777.
6. Volcanoes of Auckland: A Field Guide. Hayward, B.W.; Auckland University Press, 2019, 335 pp. ISBN 0-582-71784-1.
7. "About the catchment". Ōtara Waterways & Lake Trust. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
8. "New Motorway Interchange Opens Up Opportunities". Scoop. 17 April 2007. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
9. "About Us". Ōtara Waterways & Lake Trust. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
10. Harrowell, Chris (11 September 2017). "Trust aims to reverse two decades of waterway neglect and pollution". Stuff. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
11. "Ōtara Path". Auckland Council. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
12. "Ngati Otara Park". Auckland Council. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
13. OurAuckland (14 February 2020). "New pedestrian bridge brings public art to Ōtara Creek Reserve". Auckland Council. Retrieved 5 May 2023.