Arrow River (New Zealand) facts for kids
The Arrow River is a small but famous river in Otago, New Zealand. It flows into the Kawarau River, which then joins the mighty Clutha. The charming town of Arrowtown is built right on its banks. This river is well-known for two main reasons: it was a key spot during the exciting Central Otago Gold Rush in the 1860s, and it was also a filming location for Peter Jackson's epic Lord of the Rings movies.
Contents
Discovering Gold in the Arrow River
The First Finds
The story of gold in the Arrow River began in August 1862. A small amount of gold was first found by a person named Jack Tewa. Just a few months later, in early October, much larger amounts of gold were discovered. These exciting finds were made by John McGregor and Peter Stewart, who were part of the McGregor and Low group, and also by William Fox. There was some disagreement about who found the gold first, but everyone agreed it was a very important discovery.
The Gold Rush Era
The gold found in the Arrow River became a big part of the Central Otago Gold Rush of the 1860s. This was a time when many people rushed to the area, hoping to find their fortune in gold. The Arrow River quickly became a busy place, with miners from all over trying to strike it rich. This period changed the history of the region forever, leading to the growth of towns like Arrowtown.
The Arrow River in Movies
A Scene from Middle-earth
The beautiful scenery of the Arrow River caught the eye of famous director Peter Jackson. He chose this location for a memorable scene in his Lord of the Rings film trilogy. This is where the brave elf Arwen faced off against the scary Nazgûl. She was rushing to get Frodo to safety at Rivendell. The stunning natural beauty of the river made it a perfect fit for the magical world of Middle-earth.
The River's Original Name
Māori Heritage
Before European settlers arrived, the Māori people had their own name for the Arrow River. They called it Haihainui, which means "big scratches." Māori often visited this area during the summer months. They came for seasonal hunting, especially for birds, and also for gathering pounamu, which is a precious greenstone. The name "big scratches" likely referred to the marks left on the land or rocks by the river's flow or by people searching for pounamu.
