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Riccarton, New Zealand

Suburb:Riccarton
City:Christchurch
Island:South Island
Surrounded by:
 to the northIlam and Fendalton
 to the eastHagley Park
 to the southAddington and Middleton
 to the westSockburn

Riccarton is a major residential suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand. It is on the main approach to the city from the south, but due to the gradual curve of State Highway 1, it is actually due west of the city centre.

Riccarton's location on this busy thoroughfare, and its proximity to the University of Canterbury in nearby Ilam makes it one of the city's busiest retail zones.

A prominent feature is Deans' Bush, also known as Riccarton Bush and Putaringamotu. It was one of only two remnants of the original forest which covered the Canterbury plains, escaping the huge fires which swept across the province during the moa hunter period (Before European settlement) - the other remnant, at Papanui, was cut down in the 1850's. Deans bush is dominated by Kahikatea trees. A predator-proof perimiter fence has now been erected, with the hope of reintroducing kiwi to the reserve. Immediately adjacent to the bush is Riccarton House, homestead of the Deans family who were the first europeans to settle in Christchurch in 1840. There is also a replica of their original cob cottage. Riccarton Hose is now a function centre. The Deans brothers named the River Avon after a river in their home town in Scotland.

The western end of Riccarton is known as Upper Riccarton and is widely accepted as a separate suburb. Upper Riccarton includes a major intersection known as "Church Corner", that forms the start of State Highway 73 to the West Coast.

Until local government amalgamation in 1989, Riccarton was an independent borough

Last updated: 07-15-2005 23:28:11
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