Discover the Beauty of Lyttelton Harbour

Lyttelton Harbour is a stunning natural wonder that's just a short drive from Christchurch. Its picturesque landscape is dotted with boats and yachts.

The harbour's unique shape, with its narrow entrance and steep cliffs, makes it a challenging but rewarding place to explore. The surrounding hills are covered in native bush, adding to the harbour's natural beauty.

As you walk along the harbour's waterfront, you'll notice the historic buildings and charming shops that line the streets. The harbour's rich history is evident in its architecture and cultural attractions.

Lyttelton Harbour is also a popular spot for outdoor activities, such as sailing, fishing, and hiking.

Lyttelton Harbour is formed from the eroded caldera of an ancient volcano that has been flooded by the sea. This process occurred in the late Miocene, and the harbour shares a common entrance with adjacent Port Levy, about 2 nautical miles wide.

The harbour runs in a West-South-West direction for 7 nautical miles, with the port of Lyttelton being 4 nautical miles up the harbour from the heads. The port lies on the northern shore, and the harbour is generally 8 fathoms deep, reducing to 3.5 fathoms near the port.

The bottom of the harbour is mostly soft mud, and the only significant navigation hazard is Parson Rock, a detached submerged rock pinnacle, marked on the south side of the harbour about 200 metres north of Ripapa Island. The shipping channel has been dredged to accommodate larger container ships.

Lyttelton Harbour is formed from the eroded caldera of an ancient volcano that has been flooded by the sea. This unique geography creates a breathtaking landscape.

The harbour has a common entrance with Port Levy, about 2-nautical-mile (4-kilometre) wide, between Godley Head and Baleine Point. This entrance is a significant feature of the harbour.

Godley Head is a notable landmark at the entrance of the harbour. From the entrance, the harbour runs in a West-South-West direction for 7 nautical miles (13 kilometres). This stretch of water is a popular route for boats and ships.

The port of Lyttelton is 4 nautical miles (7 kilometres) up the harbour from the heads. It's located on the northern shore of the harbour. The harbour's depth gradually reduces from 8 fathoms (15 metres) between the heads to 3.5 fathoms (6 metres) near the port.

Parson Rock, a detached submerged rock pinnacle, is a significant navigation hazard in the harbour. It's marked on the south side of the harbour, about 200 metres north of Ripapa Island.

Lyttelton Harbour is a long and lovely safe anchorage, as described by Paul Theroux in The Happy Isles of Oceania.

The harbour's location is a key feature of its geography, providing a secure spot for boats to dock.

Lyttelton Harbour is a notable example of the natural beauty found in the region.

Lyttelton port is a crucial part of the South Island's geography and economy. It has been a major shipping hub for over 100 years.

The port has a rich history, with the Lyttelton Harbour Board starting to build an inner harbour in 1877. The Union Steamship Company of New Zealand began a steamship service on the route to Wellington in 1895.

The port has undergone significant changes over the years, with large reclamations carried out in the 1920s for petroleum storage tanks. The Cashin Quay container berth was built in 1965.

The Lyttelton port was chosen as one of the main ports in the South Island to be dredged and upgraded for containerisation in the 1970s. The container facility opened in 1977, the centenary of the initial opening.

Today, the port is the primary port for energy shipments in the South Island, with substantial quantities of South Island coal being shipped from here for the past 100 years. The port facilities have also provided for LP gas and petrol for the past 50 years.

The port is a regular port of call for cruise ships, and in November 2020, it opened a new purpose-built pier that can handle the largest modern ships.

Lyttelton Harbour is situated on the south coast of the South Island, approximately 12 kilometers southeast of Christchurch. It's a scenic and historic harbour that has been an important part of New Zealand's maritime history.

The harbour is nestled in a picturesque valley, surrounded by steep hills and mountains. The surrounding hills are home to the Lyttelton Volcanic Field, a region of volcanic activity that has created a unique landscape.

Lyttelton Harbour is a popular destination for sailing and fishing, with a range of charter boats and fishing tours available. The harbour's calm waters make it an ideal spot for families and beginners.

The harbour's rich history dates back to the early 19th century, when it was a major port for the Canterbury region. Today, it's a thriving community with a mix of residential and commercial areas.

Lyttelton Harbour is also known for its vibrant arts scene, with numerous galleries and studios showcasing local artists' work. Visitors can explore the harbour's many shops, cafes, and restaurants, which offer a range of cuisine and shopping options.

Lyttelton Harbour has a rich history that dates back to the time of Māori activity. The islands of Aua and Ōtamahua were important sources of resources for local Māori, despite being uninhabited.

The harbour became a centre of activity for early European settlers due to its easier access compared to the swamplands in present-day Christchurch. Lyttelton's population grew quickly as surrounding land and Quail Island were initially converted into farmland.

The harbour's position as the arrival port for many new settlers facilitated the development of new links to the wider island. The first of these links was the Bridle Path, completed in 1850 to coincide with the arrival of Canterbury Association ships.

Whakaraupō and the surrounding hills have a long history of Māori activity, with the islands of Aua and Ōtamahua serving as important sources of resources for local Māori.

Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Mamoe used the islands for shellfish, bird eggs, and flax, as well as stone for tools, with sandstone from Aua being used to work other stones like pounamu.

The nearby Ripapa Island has evidence of more permanent habitation, including a prominent defensive Pā built by the Ngāi Tahu chief Taununu, which was attacked and rebuilt multiple times.

Upon the initial settlement of Canterbury, the harbour became a centre of activity for early European settlers due to its easier access compared to the swamplands in present-day Christchurch.

Lyttelton's population grew quickly, with the surrounding land and Quail Island initially converted into farmland, and later used as a quarantine station from 1875 to 1929.

The island was also used to contain cases during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic and later as a leper colony from 1918 to 1925.

The growing population of Lyttelton and the harbour's position as the arrival port for many new settlers facilitated the development of new links to the wider island, starting with the Bridle Path in 1850.

The road tunnel between Lyttelton and Christchurch, which opened in 1964, was a major milestone in connecting the area, and was said to be among the most modern in the world at the time.

The proposal to extend the Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō Mātaitai Reserve was made by Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke (Rāpaki) Rūnanga.

A call for submissions was issued by Fisheries New Zealand, inviting the local community to share their thoughts on the proposal.

The consultation process involved two rounds of public engagement.

Public notices about the call for submissions were scheduled to appear in The Christchurch Press.