The Port Hills

Visitor information

There is something for everyone on the Port Hills with many roads, car parking areas and access points to the reserves on the Port Hills. The Summit Road provides excellent access, as do the many tracks that cross the Port Hills.

About the Port Hills

The Port Hills are one of the best-loved landscapes of Christchurch. The tussock grasslands and rugged rock out-crops, contrast the flatness of the Canterbury Plains whilst remnants of podacarp forest are reminders of the past.

People enjoy the Port Hills in many different ways, from scenic drives along to picnic lookouts. Walking, running, mountain biking and road biking are all very popular. Botanists explore the crater rim forests, rock climbers dangle down the sheer volcanic bluffs, and paragliders soar high over the tussock slopes. There are permanent orienteering courses set up, great places from which to launch model planes, and many a photogenic view and rock.

The Christchurch City Council manages 31 of the 39 reserves on the Port Hills. Other reserves are run by the Department of Conservation, privately or by trusts.

Henry George Ell (Harry Ell), as a Member of Parliament, lobbied for The Scenery Preservation Act 1908. Harry’s vision was to establish a network of scenic reserves along the Port Hills, with the Summit Road providing the linkage between reserves and regularly spaced rest houses for walkers and travellers. In 1906 Harry secured the first scenic reserve, Kennedys Bush and in 1903, work on the Summit Road commenced.

During Harry’s term in Parliament, 1899–1919, he secured over 500 scenic reserves. Harry worked hard to encourage the conservation of the Port Hills and was an advocate for increased public access. In 1948 the Summit Road Scenic Society was formed and continues the work of maintaining and developing the reserves and tracks that Harry envisioned nearly a hundred years ago.

Wildlife

The native remnants of bush on the Port Hills are home to some of our native birds. Many of the native birds visiting city gardens in the winter come from the Port Hills forest areas. The clear notes of the bellbird (korimako or koparara) can be heard in the bush during the summer months. Fantail, silvereye, grey warbler, shining cuckoo and a few South Island tomtits are commonly seen and heard in the bush.

The New Zealand wood pigeon (kukupa or kereru) is the largest berry-eating bird in New Zealand and an important seed-disperser for many native plants. The wood pigeon can often be seen when walking through the bush areas. The most common birds seen on the Port Hills are introduced, such as the blackbird, chaffinch and thrush.

A large range of native insects occupy the Port Hills forest areas, while gecko and skink species are commonly found.

Plant life

The contrasting sheltered valleys and exposed windswept hillsides provide a range of growing conditions for a wide variety of plants. Local endemic plants found only on Banks Peninsula and nowhere else in the world such as: Banks Peninsula hebe, Banks Peninsula blue tussock and Hebe strictissima, inhabit rock crevices on the outcrops along with other plants and rare ferns. Silver tussock and grasses cover the northern slopes of the Port Hills. Extensive areas of short tussock grassland close to metropolitan areas are rare worldwide.

Remnant pockets of podocarp forest shelter 500-600 year old matai, totara and kahikatea trees and regenerating seedlings. A diverse range of fruit and flowering hardwood species including kowhai, lancebacks, ribbonwoods, mahoe, five finger, cabbage trees, kanuka, fuchsia and many shrub species thrive in these remnants. Many areas of vegetation are continually changing as fire, extreme drought, snow and slips influence the growing conditions on the hills.

Getting involved

Many organisations have an interest in the Port Hills including the Christchurch City Council, Department of Conservation, Ngai Tahu and Ngai Tahuriri, the Summit Road Protection Authority, Summit Road Society, Selwyn District Council, Environment Canterbury, Mt Vernon Trust, John Britten Trust, and Godley Head Trust.

Summit Road Society
The Society is a voluntary group promoting the enhancement, preservation and protection of the character of the Port Hills for people’s enjoyment.