Heretaunga Plains facts for kids
- There are two places in New Zealand called Heretaunga. For the suburb of Upper Hutt, see Heretaunga, Wellington.
The Heretaunga Plains are a large, flat area of land in New Zealand. They are found on the east coast of the North Island, at the southern end of Hawke Bay. The cities of Napier and Hastings, along with the town of Havelock North, are all located on these plains.
How the Plains Were Formed
The Heretaunga Plains cover about 300 square kilometres. They were created over the last 250,000 years. This happened as three rivers – the Tutaekuri, Ngaruroro, and Tukituki River – carried tiny pieces of rock and soil, called sediment, down from the mountains. This sediment was dropped off, building up the land over a very long time.
The plains are made up of many layers of gravel, sand, and silt. These layers are like a giant natural filter.
Water for Life
Underneath the Heretaunga Plains are special underground areas called aquifers. These are like natural sponges made of permeable gravel beds that hold water. The water stored here is called groundwater.
This groundwater is very important. It provides 85% of the water needed for homes, farms, and factories in the area. This means most of the drinking water and water for watering crops comes from deep underground.
Farming and Food
The Heretaunga Plains are perfect for growing food. The soil is very fertile, which means it's rich in nutrients for plants. The weather is also warm and dry, which helps many crops grow well.
Because of the good soil and climate, and the easy access to water for irrigation, the plains are a major farming area. About half of all the fruit, vegetables, and grapes grown in New Zealand come from the Heretaunga Plains. It is also one of New Zealand's top areas for making wine.
Where Does the Name Come From?
The name Heretaunga comes from a special carved meeting house, called a wharenui, at a place called Whatonga. When Māori people travelled south, they carried this name with them. They gave it to a river, which is now known as the Hutt River.
