Ōmawete / Coopers Knob

Ōmawete / Coopers Knob is a hill in the Port Hills approximately 13.5 kilometres (8.4 mi) south of Christchurch, New Zealand.[1] It is the highest point on the Port Hills, at 573 metres (1,880 ft).[2]

Coopers Knob
Ōmawete
Coopers Knob in 2020
Highest point
Elevation573 m (1,880 ft)[1]
Coordinates43°39′40″S 172°37′30″E / 43.66111°S 172.62500°E / -43.66111; 172.62500[1]
Geography
Coopers Knob is located in Banks Peninsula
Coopers Knob
Coopers Knob
Location of Coopers Knob on Banks Peninsula
LocationChristchurch
Parent rangePort Hills
Geology
Mountain typeBasalt volcanic rock

Coopers Knob sits between Tai Tapu to the west and Governors Bay to the east. Below the summit is the 39 acres (16 ha) Cooper's Knob Reserve, created in 1948 by the Christchurch City Council.[3]

Name

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The te reo Māori name, Ōmawete, comes from a story involving Te Rangiwhakaputa.[2] A hunting party led by Ngāti Mamoe chief, Mawete, was ambushed by Ngāi Tahu hunters in the forest just below the peak, with Mawete and most of his followers killed.[1][2]

The English name comes from Daniel Cooper, an early Australian convict and merchant whose ships visited the area before it was settled.[2][3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d New Zealand Geographic Board, "Ōmawete / Coopers Knob", New Zealand Gazetteer, Land Information New Zealand, archived from the original on 8 March 2022, retrieved 15 February 2024
  2. ^ a b c d Ogilvie, Gordon (2009). The Port Hills of Christchurch (2nd ed.). Christchurch: Phillips & King. pp. 311–312. ISBN 9780958331562.
  3. ^ a b Bulovic, Annette (14 April 2013), "Cooper's Knob", Peeling Back History, archived from the original on 28 May 2022, retrieved 15 February 2024