Tranquil Styx Mill reserve rich in history

Styx Mill Reserve, a haven in the northwest of the city.

Turn into Hussey Road off Gardiners Road and the rush of traffic and noise from the City heartbeat quickly disappears. Five hundred metres past Willowbank is the restful Styx Mill Conservation Reserve — a peaceful haven to rejuvenate the mind.

This tranquil reserve is the perfect place to relax. Enjoy your picnic or take a quiet walk beside the meandering Styx River, listening to the soothing sounds of nature.

The Styx Mill Conservation Reserve is located along the causeway that linked Maori settlements in Christchurch and Kaiapoi. This wetland is rich in history.

Early Maori marked the firm ground using sticks in order to cross the river safely. It has been utilised and valued by communities for centuries who enjoyed the natural habitat it fosters.The wetland was a food and resource gathering area.

The abundant flaxes were treated and woven by the Maori people, and later Europeans processed them in a flax mill.

Due to the wet nature of this site, the Styx Mill Conservation Reserve stayed relatively underdeveloped until bought by the former Waimairi District Council in the early 1970s. Development began in 1986 on the western end of the reserve.

Following amalgamation, the Christchurch City Council completed this development in 1992, followed by the creation of three lakes in 1995.

Now, the restoration and enhancement work of this wetland environment is (to a large extent) nurtured by the Christchurch City Council Ranger Services, caring for the Plains Region of Christchurch.

Volunteer community groups are helping to breathe new life into the reserve. Numerous planting days have successfully restored habitat for the wildlife.The wetland is part of a wider ecological corridor that enables upstream and downstream migration of birds, fish, invertebrates and plants.

Habitat restoration programmes improve learning opportunities and in time, enhancement will lead to research potential. This reserve builds on a "Source to Sea" vision for the Styx River catchment, establishing a green vein, a reflection of a wider vision for Christchurch.

Open spaces provide opportunities for recreational activities. Dog owners are accommodated with one of the city’s largest dog exercise area. The development of walkways provides access throughout the reserve, creating learning opportunities in the serenity of the natural environment and of course, time to contemplate.

The unique nature of this reserve has made visiting it a delight. Developed places mould together with natural wonders of bird life, plant life and wetland to create a harmonious haven.The Styx Mill Conservation Reserve is quite simply, a wonderful place to be.

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