History of Mairehau

Christchurch has been settled by people either temporarily or permanently since the 16th Century (1500’s). Initially Maori settlement here was temporary and seasonal. Food would be gathered from the sea and wetlands, and then people would move on to other parts of the South Island. The iwi linked to Ōtautahi (in chronological order) are Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe, and Ngāi Tahu, with Ngāi Tahu being the iwi most prominent now. 

The first permanent settlements were erected by Māori near the mouth of the Avon and Heathcote Rivers, near Ihutai, the estuary. Other settlements were also erected along these rivers further inland on higher land like the market that was where Victoria Square is now. These settlements mostly came about because of the abundance of resources in the area. These resources included eel and other freshwater species in the rivers and wetlands, flounder and other fish and shellfish in the Estuary, and birds in the patches of forests on the plains and more extensive forests on the flanks of the Port Hills.  

When Europeans arrived the first site chosen to settle was to the west of Putaringamotu (now Riccarton), called Dean’s Farm in 1843. This was only a farm until the first proper town was placed in what is now the city centre. Originally, Christchurch was bounded by Hagley park to the west, Barbadoes St to the east, Salisbury St to the north, and St Asaph St to the south. This was settled in 1850 and eventually grew to the Christchurch we know today. 

Mairehau High School takes its name from the district of Christchurch in which it is situated, the name Mairehau having been adopted in 1916 as a compliment to Mrs Mairehau Hutton whose father, Arthur Gravenor Rhodes, owned considerable property in the area and was a notable benefactor to the district. The name mairehau belongs also to a shrub which grows well in the kauri areas of New Zealand. It is noted for its small, whitish, prolifically growing flowers and for its fragrance. According to legend Maire was the Maori mist maiden. She, of course, was invisible to mortal eyes and her presence could be detected only by her perfume (hau), the nearest to which in nature was the shrub which from then on was known as mairehau.