Kaiapoi

Kaiapoi (population about 5000) was initially a significant Ngai Tahu Pa. After various conflict and changes, it settled into it's 20th Century role as an agricultural service town. A little known historical fact is that in the 1850s Kaiapoi was initially an island, between the North and South branches of the Waimakariri (cold-water) river. The river was later channeled to the south. The 'mighty waimak' river was always the defining feature of Kaiapoi, first attracting Ngai Tahu, then Ngati Toa, then the Pakeha who built the town as a port, and built the railway toward it. It continued as a port for some purposes well into the 20th Century.

As Kaiapoi transformed gradually into a manufacturing town, producing well regarded woolen products, and hosted several other successful light industries before it devolved slowly into a sedate residential centre. Popular Labour Prime Minister Norman Kirk began his political career as mayor here before he entered Parliament. Then the town was bypassed by State Highway One, and not long after was shaken to bits in the earthquakes.

The liquefaction which pervaded Christchurch's seaside suburbs was even more prevalent here, where the water table is high and historically the land was riverbed. Not only did Kaiapoi lose the old courthouse, which had been acting as a museum, the community centre also fell down. Its eastern zone was severely affected by subsidence in the earthquakes giving rise to a 'red zone' from which 1,000 houses were cleared.

The fate of the town's George Troup designed Railway station has been similar to the path of the town, it was built up, shaken around, picked up and moved around and has changed purposes many times. It does not serve as the information centre anymore, but is still a handsome attraction on the riverside. One permanent loss to Kaiapoi was unrelated to the earthquakes. The MV Tuhoe, an old steamer which used to offer cruises on the river was tragically grounded at the Waimakariri river mouth on it's way back from refurbishment in Lyttelton in 2015.

An impressive renewal programme is underway, Ruataniwha Kaiapoi Civic Centre and lifestyle residences in Kaiapoi surrounds are proving popular. Kaiapoi Food Forest is a community garden of over an acre on Cass street, which has attracted 200 member families and begun planting in 2017. A vital infrastructure project for the regenerating town is the strengthening of the riverwall, to protect it from any potential future floods. A local farmers market takes place on the riverbank at Morgan Williams Reserve on Saturday Mornings.

Here at the i-site you can find about the attractions of the Waimakariri towns of Cust, Kaiapoi, Ohoka, Oxford, Rangiora, Pegasus, Waikuku and Woodend.