Hāpuku_River
Hāpuku River
River in New Zealand
The Hāpuku River begins in the Seaward Kaikōura Range of New Zealand and flows south-east to enter the South Pacific at Hapuka, between Clarence and Kaikōura.[1] The name comes from the Māori word hāpuku or hāpuka, a deep-water marine fish.[2] Its main tributary is the Puhi Puhi River.
.jpg){kind=link}
.png){kind=link}
The Hāpuku is bridged by a 1,500 ft (460 m), 1940 bridge on 23 spans of 67 ft (20 m)[3] on the Main North Line[4] and by an 11 span, 227 m (745 ft) long, 8.6 m (28 ft) wide, 1983 SH1 bridge.[5] The first bridge was completed in 1915,[6] with foundations over 26 ft (7.9 m) deep,[7] though the approaches were a little later.[8]
Whilst other rivers were affected by serious flooding in 1953, the Hāpuku rose only 6.5 ft (2.0 m) at the railway bridge.[9] Presumably this was due to the short catchment, the tectonic uplift of its headwaters and the width of the braided river bed, which is a source of railway ballast.[10] However, an 1868 flood had more of an impact upstream, leaving a 30 ft (9.1 m) bank[11] and a 1941 flood damaged the railway.[12][13]
Wildlife associated with the area include black-eyed geckos, found near the headwaters of the north branch Hāpuku River,[14] and bluff wetas.[15] Banded dotterels breed in the Hāpuku.[16] Introduced species include red deer, goats (kept at low levels by culling), pigs and chamois.[17]
There were two DoC huts in the valley; Hapuku Hut and Barratts Bivvy, linked by walking tracks.[18] However, a slip triggered by the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake blocked the river, with water building up behind the slip[19] and destroying Barratts Hut[20] and Bivvy.[21]
Hapuka railway station was open from 13 March 1944 to 29 March 1981. A passing loop and ballast siding remain.[22]
