Ōtara Creek
Stream in Auckland, New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
| Ōtara Creek | |
|---|---|
The mouth of the creek as it enters the Tāmaki River | |
  Mouth of the Ōtara Creek .png)  Ōtara Creek (New Zealand) | |
 Route of the Ōtara Creek | |
| Location | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Auckland Region |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Papatoetoe |
| • coordinates | 36.97782°S 174.87351°E |
| Mouth | Tāmaki River |
• coordinates | 36.94539°S 174.86224°E |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Ōtara Creek → Tāmaki River → Tāmaki Strait → Hauraki Gulf → Pacific Ocean |
| Bridges | Ōtara Creek Bridge, Ōtara Creek Pedestrian Bridge |
Etymology
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]