Te Tihi-o-Kahukura / Castle Rock
| Castle Rock | |
|---|---|
  Castle Rock Location of Castle Rock on Banks Peninsula | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 429 m (1,407 ft)[1] |
| Coordinates | 43°35′13″S 172°41′56″E / 43.58694°S 172.69889°E[2] |
| Geography | |
| Location | Christchurch |
| Parent range | Port Hills |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Basalt volcanic rock |
Te Tihi-o-Kahukura / Castle Rock is a prominent rock outcrop in the Port Hills above Christchurch, New Zealand. It is a short distance north of Te Moenga-o-Wheke / The Tors, on the northern side of Summit Road. It sits directly to the west of the Bridle Path and the Lyttelton road tunnel. The rocky outcrop itself is 167 metres (548 ft) long, 83 metres (272 ft) wide and up to 24 metres (79 ft) high.[1]
History[edit]
The te reo Māori name roughly means 'The summit of Kahukura'. The area was considered tapu to early Māori, as a pinnacle associated with Kahukura, an atua that manifests as part of a rainbow. According to a tradition, when Ngāi Tahu tribesmen were approaching up the valley below, the chief of Ngati Mamoe threw his spear from the top of the rock at them as a sign of frustration.[1]
The English name was coined by early European settlers, who used the prominent rock as a navigation reference.[1] Castle Rock is one of the Seven Brothers of hilltops around the Port Hills.[3] It was at various times known as Hammerton Crags, Dover Castle, and Heathcote Rock before the name 'Castle Rock' finally stuck.[1]
The rock was at one time owned by Arthur Dudley Dobson who briefly considered quarrying the rock to sell, however he never went through with these plans.[1]
The area is popular with walkers and rock-climbers.[4][1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g Ogilvie, Gordon (2009). The Port Hills of Christchurch (2nd ed.). Christchurch: Phillips & King. pp. 147–149. ISBN 9780958331562.
- ^ New Zealand Geographic Board, "Te Tihi-o-Kahukura / Castle Rock", New Zealand Gazetteer, Land Information New Zealand, archived from the original on 27 November 2021, retrieved 15 February 2024
- ^ Bulovic, Annette (18 April 2013), "The Seven Brothers/Sleepers", Discover The Delights Of Peeling Back History, archived from the original on 28 May 2022, retrieved 15 February 2024
- ^ "Castle Rock", ClimbNZ, archived from the original on 2 October 2023, retrieved 16 February 2024
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