Hinds River facts for kids

The Hinds River is a river in the Canterbury area of New Zealand. It's a special river that starts high up in the mountains and flows all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

Exploring the Hinds River

The Hinds River has two main parts, like two arms reaching out. These are called the north and south branches. They begin on the eastern side of the Moorhouse Range, which is part of the big Southern Alps mountain range.

Where Does the River Flow?

The two branches of the Hinds River meet near the towns of Anama and Mayfield. From there, the river flows across the wide, flat Canterbury Plains. It passes through the small town of Hinds on its way to the sea. In Hinds town, a major road called State Highway 1 and the Main South Line railway line cross over the river. The river finally reaches the Pacific Ocean between the places called Longbeach and Lowcliffe.

In its upper parts, the southern branch of the Hinds River flows close to the Rangitata River. The northern branch flows near another important river, the Ashburton River / Hakatere.

How the River Got Its Name

The Hinds River was named after a person called Reverend Samuel Hinds. He was a member of a group called the Canterbury Association. This group helped plan and set up the settlement of Canterbury. Samuel Hinds was known for his ideas about how to start new communities. The river also has a special Māori name, which is Hekeao.