# Pegasus Bay

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For the statistical area, see [The Pines Beach § Pegasus Bay statistical area](/source/The_Pines_Beach#Pegasus_Bay_statistical_area).

Bay in South Island

Pegasus Bay Pegasus Bay, with New Brighton the spit in the foreground Location of Pegasus Bay Location South Island Coordinates 43°20′S 173°00′E / 43.333°S 173.000°E / -43.333; 173.000 Type Bay Part of Pacific Ocean Basin countries New Zealand Location Interactive map of Pegasus Bay

**Pegasus Bay**, earlier known as **Cook's Mistake**, is a bay on the east coast of the [South Island](/source/South_Island) of New Zealand, to the north of [Banks Peninsula](/source/Banks_Peninsula).

## Toponymy

A view of Pegasus Bay, New Brighton, New Zealand from Mount Pleasant. 30 October 2022.

Pegasus Bay takes its name from the [brig](/source/Brig) *Pegasus*, a sealing ship that was sailing from Hobart to London via the *sealing islands* and was surveying this part of the South Island in 1809. Attempting to sail into Gore's Bay shown on Captain Cook's map between the supposed *Island* that Cook had named after Banks, the crew discovered a mistake in Cook's chart and found the island was a peninsula connected to the rest of the South Island mainland by a low-lying isthmus.[1] Fortunately they discovered this before trying to pass between the supposed island and the mainland before dark while approaching from the north and were still in about 27 metres (15 fathoms) of water.[1] Captain Chace (or Chase) and his first officer William Stewart, who had also surveyed Stewart Island on the same journey, were reported in the Oriental Navigator in 1816.[1][2] Charts made of this part of New Zealand from the 1809 survey give the names Cook's Mistake or Pegasus Bay to this large bay.[1]

[Māori](/source/M%C4%81ori_people) do not divide this part of the coast in the same way, so there is no equivalent Māori name. However, the sandy beach on the shoreline between the Ashley River and [Avon Heathcote Estuary](/source/Avon_Heathcote_Estuary) is known as *Kairaki* (which is an ancient name of unknown meaning for the Pacific). While a fishing ground to the east of Pegasus Bay is known as *Komaka a Te KaiKai a Waro* meaning *the foodstore belonging to KaiKai a Waro*.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Geography

Pegasus Bay lies on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand, between the [Motunau River](/source/Motunau_River) and [Motunau Island](/source/Motunau_Island) in the north and [Banks Peninsula](/source/Banks_Peninsula) in the south.[3] The bay is nearly 75 kilometres (40 nautical miles) across and 28 kilometres (15 nautical miles) deep, with 37 metres (20 fathoms) of water that gradually shoals to about 11 metres (6 fathoms) or 13 metres (7 fathoms) about 2 kilometres (1 nautical mile) from shore.[3] The northern part of the coast are mostly cliffs, with stony or sandy beaches at low tide.[3] The bay has a sandy beach that runs for about 50 kilometres (31 miles) from about the [Waipara River](/source/Waipara_River_(Canterbury)) mouth to the [Christchurch](/source/Christchurch) suburbs of [Sumner](/source/Sumner%2C_New_Zealand) and [Scarborough](/source/Scarborough%2C_New_Zealand) on [Banks Peninsula](/source/Banks_Peninsula).[3]

### Rivers

Rivers flowing into Pegasus Bay, from north to south, are:

- [Motunau River](/source/Motunau_River)

- [Waipara River](/source/Waipara_River_(Canterbury))

- [Ashley River / Rakahuri](/source/Ashley_River_%2F_Rakahuri)

- [Waimakariri River](/source/Waimakariri_River)

- [Avon River / Ōtākaro](/source/Avon_River_%2F_%C5%8Ct%C4%81karo) and [Ōpāwaho / Heathcote River](/source/%C5%8Cp%C4%81waho_%2F_Heathcote_River) via the [Avon Heathcote Estuary / Ihutai](/source/Avon_Heathcote_Estuary_%2F_Ihutai)

## Fauna

Spencer Beach, [Spencerville](/source/Spencerville%2C_New_Zealand)

Other than [dolphins](/source/Dolphin) including the endemic, endangered [Hector's dolphins](/source/Hector's_dolphin) that regularly live or visit into the waters, [whales](/source/Whale) such as [southern right](/source/Southern_right_whale) and [humpback](/source/Humpback_whale) are known to migrate into the bay.[4][5]

## Discovery

The *Pegasus* was the name of the sailing ship which surveyed part of the South Island in 1809. The [brig](/source/Brig) *Pegasus* was the former *Pegaso*, captured at the Peruvian port of [Trujillo](/source/Trujillo%2C_Peru) on 28 July 1807 by the British frigate [HMS *Cornwallis*](/source/HMS_Cornwallis_(1805)), commanded by Captain Charles James Johnston, during a cruise against Spanish shipping and ports along the coasts of Spanish America.[6] Johnston dispatched *Pegaso* to [Port Jackson](/source/Port_Jackson), where she arrived at the end of October.[7] Submitted to the Court of Admiralty in Sydney, *Pegaso*, was condemned as a prize on 24 January 1808 and sold off, renamed *Pegasus*. A few months later she was acquired by Thomas Moore and in May of that year she was made ready to go on the sealing trade to the southern part of New Zealand. This expedition took place between August 1808 and March 1809, when *Pegasus* was commanded by Captain [Eber Bunker](/source/Eber_Bunker).[8] *Pegasus* went on a second expedition under the command of Samuel Chase from Port Jackson to London by way of the sealing grounds in southern New Zealand from May 1809 to August 1810: [William W. Stewart](/source/William_W._Stewart) was first officer and made charts of the New Zealand coast, including [Stewart Island](/source/Stewart_Island), which was subsequently named after him.[9][2][10][11][12][13][14][*[excessive citations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources#Bundling_citations)*] William Stewart gave Pegasus Bay its name.[15] The captain of the ship, Captain Samuel Chase (not to be confused with his contemporary, Captain Samuel Rodman Chace),[16] lays claim to correcting [James Cook](/source/James_Cook)'s charts by determining that "Banks Island" was in fact a peninsula. As late as 1843, the bay was referred to as Cook's Mistake.[17]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-McNab_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-McNab_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-McNab_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-McNab_1-3) McNab, Robert (1909). "Chapter XIII. — Stewart Island Exploited, 1809 and 1810". [*Murihiku: A History of the South Island of New Zealand and the Islands Adjacent and Lying to the South, from 1642 to 1835*](http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-McNMuri-t1-body-d1-d13.html). Wellington: Whitcombe and Tombs Limited. pp. 160–161. Retrieved 7 February 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Purdy_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Purdy_2-1) Purdy, John (1816). *The Oriental Navigator*. London. p. 90.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-NZPilot_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-NZPilot_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-NZPilot_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-NZPilot_3-3) Richards, G. H. (George Henry); Evans, F. J. (Frederick John Owen) (1875). ["Pegasus Bay"](https://archive.org/details/thenewzealandpilot/page/n231/mode/1up). *The New Zealand Pilot*. London: Hydrographic Office, Admiralty. pp. 209–210. Retrieved 7 February 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Clement D.. 2009. [Assessment of Potential Effects on Marine Mammals of Proposed Capital Dredging of Approach Channel to Lyttelton Port of Christchurch and Offshore Disposal of Spoil](https://www.lpc.co.nz/TempFiles/TempDocuments/Other/Maintenance%20Dredging/Appendix%2010%20-%20Cawthron%20report%201705.pdf). Cawthron Report. No. 1705. retrieved on 5 November 2014

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [Description of the Environment](http://resources.ccc.govt.nz/files/AssessmentOfEnvironmentalEffectsSection05-abouttheproject.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023630/http://resources.ccc.govt.nz/files/AssessmentOfEnvironmentalEffectsSection05-abouttheproject.pdf) 4 March 2016 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine). Retrieved on 5 November 2014

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Marshall, John (1827). *Royal Naval Biography, Supplement, Part I*. London. p. 168.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** John Harris to Anna Josépha King, 25 October 1807, *Historical Records of New South Wales,* Sydney, Vol.VI, 1898, p.348.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Ross, John O'C. (1987). *William Stewart, Sealing Captain, Trader and Speculator*. Aranda (A.C.T): Roebuck Society. p. 100.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** *The Sydney Gazette,* 15 May 22 May, 29 May 5 June 17 July 24 July 21 August 28 August 11 September 18 September 1808, 19 March 12 March 9 April 16 April 7 May 1809.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Wilkes, Charles (1844). *Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition*. Vol. 2. Philadelphia. p. 405.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Marshall, John (1827). *Royal Naval Biography*. Vol. Supplement, Part I. London. p. 168.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** McNab, Robert (1907). *Murihiku and the Southern Islands*. Invercargill: William South. pp. 155–162.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Ross, John O'C. (1987). *William Stewart, Sealing Captain, Trader and Speculator*. Aranda (A.C.T): Roebuck Society. pp. 97–117.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Whitaker, Anne-Marie (2004). "From Norfolk Island to Foveaux Strait: Joseph Foveaux's Role in the Expansion of Whaling and Sealing in Early Nineteenth Century Australasia". *The Great Circle*. **26** (1): 51–59.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Christchurch Chronology 1809 – Heritage"](http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Heritage/Chronology/Year/1809.asp). Christchurch City Libraries. 12 June 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** [Entwisle, Peter](/source/Peter_Entwisle) (2005). [*Taka: a vignette life of William Tucker 1784–1817*](https://books.google.com/books?id=ELYS5ftt7NgC&q=%22The+pegasus%22+captain+samuel+chase&pg=PA49). Port Daniel Press. p. 49. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-473-10098-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-473-10098-3). Retrieved 19 August 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** [Hight, James](/source/James_Hight); Straubel, C. R. (1957). *A History of Canterbury: to 1854*. Vol. I. Christchurch: Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd. p. 35.

v t e Waimakariri District, New Zealand Populated places; seat: Rangiora • Waimakariri District Council Kaiapoi-Woodend Ward Kaiapoi-Tuahiwi Sub-Division Clarkville Kaiapoi Kairaki Ohapuku The Pines Beach Flaxton Tuahiwi Woodend-Sefton Sub-Division Coldstream Pegasus Saltwater Creek Sefton Waikuku Waikuku Beach Woodend Woodend Beach Oxford-Ohoka Ward Ohoka-Swannanoa Sub-Division Eyreton Eyrewell Mandeville North Ohoka Swannanoa West Eyreton Wetheral Wilsons Siding Oxford Sub-Division Ashley Gorge Bennetts Bexley Burnt Hill Carleton Coopers Creek Gammans Creek Glenburn Glentui Horrellville Lees Valley Oxford Okuku Range Rockford Starvation Hill The Warren View Hill Okuku Hills Rangiora-Ashley Ward Ashley Sub-Division Ashley Loburn Loburn North Okuku Whiterock Cust Fernside Springbank Summerhill Rangiora Sub-Division Rangiora Southbrook Schools Primary Ashgrove Ashley Clarkville Cust Fernside Kaiapoi Borough Kaiapoi North Loburn North Loburn Ohoka Pegasus Bay (formerly Waikuku) Rangiora Borough Sefton Southbrook St Joseph's St Patrick's Swannanoa Tuahiwi West Eyreton Woodend View Hill Secondary Kaiapoi High Karanga Mai Young Parents' College Rangiora High Area Oxford Area Rangiora New Life Disestablished Primary Okuku Whiterock Facilities Dudley Park, Rangiora Mandeville Sports Centre Rangiora Recreation Ground Rangiora Airport Sports clubs Rangiora AFC Waimakariri United Electorates Historic Ashley Hurunui Kaiapoi Rangiora Current Kaikōura Waimakariri Member of Parliament for the Kaikōura electorate N Doug Kidd (1996–99) N Lynda Scott (1999–2005) N Colin King (2005–14) N Stuart Smith (2014–present) for the Waimakariri electorate L Mike Moore (1996–99) L Clayton Cosgrove (1999–2011) N Kate Wilkinson (2011–14) N Matt Doocey (2014–present) Mayor Trevor Inch (1989–95) Janice Skurr (1995–2001) Jim Gerard (2001–07) Ron Keating (2007–10) David Ayers (2010–2019) Dan Gordon (2019–present) Bodies of water Ashley Gorge Ashley River / Rakahuri Cam River / Ruataniwha Cust River Glentui River Kaiapoi River Karetu River Lilburne River Makerikeri River Okuku River Pegasus Bay Waimakariri Gorge Waimakariri River Ashley Estuary Transportation State Highway 71 Main North Line Eyreton Branch Oxford Branch Public transport in Christchurch Go Bus Christchurch Other MainPower Compass FM 104.9 bold - main town; bold & italics - minor town; normal text - locality; italics - minor locality

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Pegasus Bay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pegasus_Bay) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pegasus_Bay?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.