The Tūtaekurī River starts near the Hope Pass, in the Southern Alps and flows north-west to join the Ahaura River.[1] The Ahaura joins the Grey River which flows to the Tasman Sea at Greymouth.[2] Tūtaekurī River has been its official name since 21 June 2019. Tūtae kurī is a grass with the latin name agropyron multiflorum.[3][4]
| Tūtaekurī River | |
|---|---|
_joins_the_T%C5%ABtaekur%C4%AB_River.jpg) Trent River (left) joins the Tūtaekurī River | |
 | |
| Location | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Southern Alps |
| • elevation | 1,600 m (5,200 ft) |
| Mouth | |
• location | Ahaura River |
• elevation | 270 m (890 ft) |
| Length | 25 km (16 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Trent River |
The Tūtaekurī flows down a long, low valley and is predominantly a shingle bed river flowing through beech forest with a margin of tussock grass along the banks. It can be kayaked, except during summer droughts.[5]
A pack-track ran to Canterbury via the 951 m (3,120 ft) Hope Pass and the Hope River.[5] In 1875 it was the route recommended for what later became the Midland Railway, on a route further southwest.[6][7] It was still being considered in 1887.[8] A route is still used over the pass,[9] taking about 7 hours for the walk to Top Hope Hut from Tutaekuri Hut. Tutaekuri Hut has 6 beds,[10] is 371 m (1,217 ft) above sea level and was built in 2008 to replace a hut about 20 minutes downstream, at the Trent River confluence. A 4x4 track runs to the hut, but is often washed out at the river crossings. In the opposite direction, the Elizabeth Hut on the Haupiri River can be reached in about 9 hours,[11] via the 1,071 m (3,514 ft) Trent Saddle,[12] on the Elizabeth Hut Route.[13]
The valley is part of the West Coast Divide TB Management Area, where pigs, deer and possums are controlled to minimise the spread of tuberculosis.[14]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Tutaekuri River, West Coast". NZ Topo Map. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
- ^ Peter Dowling, ed. (2004). Reed New Zealand Atlas. Reed Books. pp. map 70. ISBN 0-7900-0952-8.
- ^ "Place name detail: Tūtaekurī River". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
- ^ "Anthosachne kingiana subsp. multiflora". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
- ^ a b G. D. and J. H. Egarr (1981). "Recreational River Survey" (PDF). NIWA. ISSN 0110-4705.
- ^ "Statement By The Minister For Public Works. Grey River Argus". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 4 August 1875. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
- ^ "WEST COAST AND CANTERBURY RAILWAY. GREY RIVER ARGUS". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 18 Sep 1875. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
- ^ "THE MIDLAND RAILWAY. PRESS". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 18 Apr 1887. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
- ^ "Hope valley (Windy Point) tracks & routes". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
- ^ "Tutaekuri Hut". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
- ^ "Tutaekuri hut". New Zealand Tramper. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
- ^ "Trent Saddle, West Coast". NZ Topo Map. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
- ^ "Elizabeth Hut Route". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
- ^ "West Coast Divide TB Management Area". www.ospri.co.nz. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
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42°33′45″S 171°58′51″E / 42.56260°S 171.98074°E