The Port Hills are a range of hills running approximately east-west, between the port of Lyttelton and the city of Christchurch in Canterbury, New Zealand. The Port Hills are the northern rim of an ancient volcanic cone, one of two from which Banks Peninsula (Horomaka) was formed. The summits of the range are generally about 350 to 500 metres above sea level.
Several suburbs of Christchurch extend onto the northern slopes of the Port Hills. Other parts of the hills are used for farming and forestry.
The Summit Road runs along the top of the Port Hills. A road tunnel and a separate rail tunnel beneath the hills connect Lyttelton with Christchurch. Three road routes cross the range via Evans, Dyers and Gebbies passes.
The hills are an important recreation area for Christchurch residents, with several public parks and reserves, including tracks for mountain biking and walking.
The Port Hills formed a challenging barrier between the harbour and the planned site of Christchurch during early European settlement, their steepness and ruggedness making road-building difficult.
The PortHills are one of the best-loved landscapes of Christchurch.
Ngai Tahu’s main settlement on the PortHills was established in Rapaki.
Harry’s vision was to establish a network of scenic reserves along the PortHills, with the Summit Road providing the linkage between reserves and regularly spaced rest houses for walkers and travellers.
The PortHills are considered an outstanding natural feature and landscape of national importance, and within the area are a number of internationally significant geological features, including prominent rock outcrops and a number of volcanic dykes.
The PortHills are an important ingredient in the tourist experience of Christchurch, and thus have 'economic value' to the City.
Parts of the PortHills are susceptible to erosion, which endangers lives, reduces pasture areas, causes unsightly scars and contributes to problems with stormwater drainage and siltation of waterways.
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