Publications

Management plans

Styx Mill Reserve Development Concept October 1993

History

In 1880, Ngai Tahu Kaumatua met at Kaiapoi to compile names of settlement and mahinga kai sites situated on lands within the Kemp Deed of Purchase on the 12th June 1848. The following sites located near the Styx River were identified as being important for food production - Te Warokuri, Te Kopareoihu, Orawhata, Otamateraki, Te Rauakaaka.

The following foods were collected from these sites - aruhe (fernroot). kiore (rat), koreke (quail), tiroki, tutukiwi (preserved in fat), eels, kanakana, duck (grey and paradise), koau (shag), panako (species of fern), oho (species of bird). Turnip and potato cultivation was also undertaken at Te Rauakaaka and Tuamatanui.

Maori settlement occurred at Orawhata, Te Rauakaaka and Taumatanui.

Historically, the Styx Mill Reserve was very swampy and the maori use of this area as a food production site reflects this earlier wetland landscape. It would have also been very important as a source of materials such as raupo, flax, kiekie and rushes.

The first European owners in this area was a church organisation known as the `Dean in Chapter'. This land was given to them as a source of income in the original settlement of Christchurch.

Otukaikinoi is the Maori name for the Styx River, but the early European settlers used this name when referring to the swamp.

The Main North Road was a traditional route for the Maori connecting the settlement areas in Christchurch with those at Kaiapoi. In order to safely cross the Styx River, the firm ground was marked with sticks. The name Styx originated with the Railways when the railway line was put through, that they felt that the name Sticks was too plain for a railway station and so changed it to Styx Mill.

The first mill was either a saw or flax mill. William Orchard and Sam Trevleaven took it over and converted it to a flour mill. At this time, it was located in the centre of a rich wheat growing area. During their time the original mill burnt down and was rebuilt. The mill probably ceased operations about the time of WWI.

The Mill House was located on the southern side of the south side of the Styx River. The Styx River Resource Study states that ` The concrete pad of the building remains, although a dairy shed has been constructed on it.'