Jacobs River (New Zealand)

The Jacobs River or Makawhio River is located some 30 km (19 mi) south of Fox Glacier in South Westland, New Zealand. From its headwaters near Fettes Peak below the Hooker Range it flows in a westerly direction to enter the Tasman Sea near Hunts Beach.[2] Its tributaries include Jumbo Creek and Pavo Creek. Just upstream from the bridge is Borat Flat.

Makawhio / Jacobs River
The State Highway 6 bridge over the Makawhio River / Jacobs River
Map
Route of the Makawhio / Jacobs River
Jacobs River (New Zealand) is located in New Zealand
Jacobs River (New Zealand)
Mouth of the Makawhio / Jacobs River
Jacobs River (New Zealand) is located in South Island
Jacobs River (New Zealand)
Jacobs River (New Zealand) (South Island)
EtymologyFrom Kāi Tahu Māori: stream of whio; also named after Hākopa Kāpō, a ferryman at the river mouth.[1]
Native nameMakaawhio (Māori)
Location
CountryNew Zealand
regionWest Coast Region
DistrictWestland District
Physical characteristics
SourceBannock Brae Range
 • locationSouthern Alps / Kā Tiritiri o te Moana
 • coordinates43°44′20″S 169°51′35″E / 43.738933°S 169.859834°E / -43.738933; 169.859834
 • elevation1,340 m (4,400 ft)
MouthBruce Bay
 • location
Tasman Sea
 • coordinates
43°34′00″S 169°38′09″E / 43.56672°S 169.63587°E / -43.56672; 169.63587
 • elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Length32 km (20 mi)
Basin features
Tributaries 
 • leftGreer Creek, Kini Creek, Papakeri Creek
 • rightJumbo Creek, Pavo Creek, Hermann Creek

The river is of cultural significance to Ngāi Tahu, a South Island iwi (tribe), which holds manawhenua or tribal authority over the land in accordance with the Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998. There are a number of sacred sites and burial places along the river. The river has also been a source of seafood for Ngāi Tahu, and is a source of Aotea, a rock containing kyanite that is only found in the river.[3][4][5] In 2016 GNS Science was awarded funding to investigate the commercial potential of Aotea.[5]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Cultural Atlas - Makaawhio". Kā Huru Manu. Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  2. ^ "Jacobs River". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  3. ^ "Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998 | Schedule 38 Statutory acknowledgement for Makaawhio (Jacobs River)". New Zealand Legislation. Parliamentary Counsel Office. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  4. ^ Thornton, Jocelyn (12 June 2006). "Kyanite". Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Commericial [sic] potential of rare South Westland rock investigated". Greymouth Star. 25 June 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2022.