Waimakariri History
In pre-European times there were several important Ngai Tahu settlements in the area now occupied by the Waimakariri District. The centre of Ngai Tahu was the pa of Taurakautahi, known as Kaiapoi. Today, the hapu Ngai Tuahuriri is based at Tuahiwi, to the north of Kaiapoi. People who identify themselves as having NZ Maori ancestry presently represent 8.5% of the District’s population, and most of these people live in the eastern part of the District.
During the early years of European settlement, Kaiapoi developed as a river port. Rangiora was the area’s main market town, and the development of Oxford was based on timber milling. The roles of the District’s main urban areas have changed during recent years, mainly as the result of the rapid population growth.
European settlement concentrated on the fertile soils of the plains. Until the middle of the 20th century extensive agricultural and pastoral farming predominated. More recently, horticultural and forestry have gained in importance. Today some 11% of the District’s labour force is now involved with agriculture, forestry and fishing.
(Data source: Waimakariri District Council)
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