Kaiapoi Island
Mountain biking, fishing, whitebaiting near the Kaiapoi River mouth, walking, picnics, kayaking, motocross and jet boating - Kaiapoi Island has it all for the outdoors-minded.
There are separate areas for motocross, flat track and trials riding with dedicated spaces for learners and families.
Please check notices and events for the latest information or like our Facebook page to stay up to date.
How to get there
About 15km from Christchurch, the Kaiapoi Island section of the Waimakariri River Regional Park allows walking, running and cycling. It also provides access for anglers hoping to catch freshwater sport fish such as salmon and trout. Suitable for whitebaiting.
The entrance to Kaiapoi Island is next to the Challenge service station at the corner of Wrights Road and Main North Road. View the park location on Google Maps.
You can also access the park from Taylors Road in Clarkville. View the park location on Google Maps.
- Gates are open 7am to 7pm in winter and 7am to 10pm during daylight saving. Pedestrian access is available 24 hours.
- Dogs must be kept under effective control at all times.
- No barbecues are provided but visitors are welcome to bring their own, provided they are gas-only and used in areas clear of vegetation. Light no fires. Dial 111 immediately if you see smoke or flames.
Kaiapoi Island regional park
Park facilities
- Picnic tables about 10 tables available
- Public toilets
- Boat ramp has easy access to the river and is operated by Jet Boating NZ
- Car parking
Park activities
Shared use tracks for mountain biking and walking - There are 18km of two-way, shared-use tracks:
- Raven Quay Loop is 18.5km
- Wrights Road Loop is 8.5km.
Kaiapoi Island Motocross Park - Motocross track, flat tracks, learners area and family area.
Fishing – Anglers must have a current fishing license from Fish and Game New Zealand. In the river, you will find sea-run salmon and trout. Monopoli’s Pond is good for coarse fishing. Whitebaiting can be done along Anglers Causeway and downstream to the confluence of the Kaiapoi River. Fishers wanting night access can contact us for a key.
Swimming - There are swimming spots on the shingle fan opposite Reid’s Reserve. Swimming is prohibited at the jet boat ramp. See here for up-to-date swimming water quality reports. Please swim safely.
Jet boating - Speed uplift applies west of SH1. See recreational boating for more.
Kayaking - popular get-out spot, between the bridges. See recreational boating for more.
Please note the activities are separated so there is always plenty of space for a quiet picnic away from more noisy activities.
Toilet block
Park history
Before European settlement, the Waimakariri River was split into two main channels in the lower reaches forming several islands about 8km inland from the coast. Kaiapoi Island was the largest of these and covered around 2800 hectares.
Māori called the island Te Rakai a Hewa ‘the adornment of the deluded one’. The island was important spiritually and as an educational site. Te Tupapaku, now known as Courtenay Stream, ran through the island. Here, local Maori laid their dead with the ona upoko (head) staked to the bank and the tupapaku (body of the deceased) in the water. Eels would strip flesh from the body and the bones were later buried in dunes or caves.
In the early 1850s, European settlers were moving into North Canterbury. In 1854, a pastoral lease of 5000 acres of the island was taken by William Smith. The lease was transferred to George Day and then became known as Day’s Run. As settlement on the northeast corner of the island grew, the town and island became known as Kaiapoi, named after the pā located nearby, at present-day Woodend.