Image: Rebecca Officer | ©
Kaituna Valley Reserve.
Kaituna Valley Scenic Reserve walk

Located in Banks Peninsula area and Christchurch area in the Canterbury region

This easy forest walk is ideal for families with young children. Starting and finishing at the picnic area, it winds through the trees of the reserve and surrounding grassy areas.

This easy walk is ideal for families with young children. Starting and finishing at the picnic area, it winds through the trees of the reserve and surrounding rank exotic grass.

From Christchurch travel along the Akaroa Highway about 40 km, turn left at Kaituna Valley Road and travel about 5 km.
  • There is a non-flush toilet and picnic tables in the picnic area.
  • There is also an unfenced river running by the reserve. Keep an eye on children at all times.

Take care near stinging nettle

Urtica ferox (ongaonga) is an endemic stinging nettle and common in this area. Take care not to touch these plants as they have a very strong sting. Ongaonga are an important host plant of Vanessa gonerilla (kahukura), the endemic red admiral butterfly.

Kaituna Valley Scenic Reserve is about 6 ha of bush remnant with a few large mataī and kahikatea.

The outstanding feature is the healthy even-aged stand of New Zealand ash/tītoki which dominates the forest. One of the largest stands left in Canterbury, it is known for a showy display of brilliant scarlet and black fruits. Flowering in the Spring, the bitter tasting fruit takes a year to ripen. Māori steamed these fruits open and squeezed oil from the seeds for medicine and perfume.

The strong, straight grained wood from the trees was also valued by Māori – leading to phrase “peka tītoki” which was used in proverbs to describe one who was strong and would not surrender to adversity. Early European settlers used the wood for tool handles, coach building, wheels and yokes for horses.