Opawaho is the Māori name for the Heathcote River.

The area known today as Opawa derives its name from the pā that once stood on the banks of the river where present-day Judges Street and Vincent Place intersect.

It was known as Opawaho, which refers to its function as a waho (outpost). It was a resting place for Ngāi Tahu travelling between Kaiapoi and Horomaka (Banks Peninsula.)

The land in this area was once marshy and covered in grasses, raupo and tussock.

Poho Areare, meaning pigeon-breasted was the name of an original chief of Opawaho and his name is given to the old Māori track that led over the sandhills from Opawa to South New Brighton. Turaki Po was its later chief.

The swamps draining the Opawaho were called Te Kuru and the upper reaches of the river at Spreydon bore the name Wai Mokihi after a smaller pā located there called O Mokihi meaning place of the flax staff rafts.

This area was an important mahinga kai, a source of plentiful food, especially tuere (blind eel) and kanakana (lamprey).

Sources:

• Tau, Te Maire, Anake Goodall, David Palmer & Rakiihia Tau. Te Whakatau Kaupapa: Ngāi Tahu Resource Management Strategy for the Canterbury Region, Aoraki Press, 1990.
• Taylor, W.A. Lore and History of the South Island Māori, Bascands, Christchurch, NZ, 1952.
• Walk Christchurch: 60 short walks that explore your city; / edited by Mark Pickering, compiled by Kjesten Nilsson, Karen Theobald and Lesley Symington. Published: [Christchurch, N.Z.] Leisure Unit, Christchurch City Council, 1998.