Ōtara Creek

The Ōtara Creek, is a major stream in South Auckland, in the Auckland Region of New Zealand's North Island. It flows northwards, then westwards into the Tāmaki River.

Etymology


The name of the creek comes from its name in Māori, Te Waiōtara. The name literally means "The Waters of Tara", referencing Tara Te Irirangi, a Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki rangatira of the early 19th Century. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, European farmers referred to the creek as Goodfellow's Creek.

Description
The creek begins in Papatoetoe, near Allenby Park and Papatoetoe High School. It flows north through the suburbs of Papatoetoe and Ōtara, becoming a tidal estuary that separates Ōtara from East Tāmaki in the north. The tidal creek flows into Pukewairiki, a volcanic maar that erupted an estimated 130,000 years ago.

The creek's catchment covers an area of 3,477 ha.

History
The creek is in the traditional rohe of Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki. The stream was used as a source for freshwater resources, including koura and eels, and the banks of the stream were the location of many kāinga.

In 2007, a 210 m bridge was constructed at the mouth of the creek along Highbrook Drive, as a new motorway exchange to connect East Tāmaki to the Auckland Southern Motorway.

In June 2016, the Ōtara Waterways & Lake Trust was formed, as a community organisation that focused on the clean-up and revitalisation of the creek.

Amenities
The Ōtara Path is a major walking path on the western/southern banks of the creek. Ngāti Ōtara Park is a large park found on the southern banks of the creek. In 2020, a new public bridge was constructed at Ōtara Creek Reserve, crossing the creek.