# Weka Pass > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Weka_Pass > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Weka_Pass.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weka_Pass > Source revision: 1321659058 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Locality in Hurunui District, Canterbury Region, New Zealand Frog Rock **Weka Pass** is a [locality](/source/Human_settlement) in the northern [Canterbury](/source/Canterbury%2C_New_Zealand) region of New Zealand's [South Island](/source/South_Island) between the towns of [Waipara](/source/Waipara) and [Waikari](/source/Waikari).[1] The [Waipara River](/source/Waipara_River_(Canterbury)) cut the Weka Pass by wearing down the soft [limestone](/source/Limestone) and [mudstone](/source/Mudstone) in the area. Erosion has created a number of distinctive limestone formations in the pass, which are known by descriptive names such as Frog Rock and The Seal. The Pass is home to various species of bird, including the [kiwi](/source/Kiwi_(bird)), New Zealand's national bird[2] and the surrounding area is known for its wine.[3] [Māori](/source/M%C4%81ori_people) rock art can be found under a limestone overhang, and it is now the prime attraction of the Weka Pass Historic Park. Māori first explored the area approximately a millennium ago and used the limestone overhang for shelter.[4] Early European explorers utilized the overhang for the same purpose.[4] The art cave can be visited via a 2.25 km[5] hike, but the ancient art was painted over in 1930,[6] with the intention of preserving the markings for future generations. Images and reproductions of the original, untouched cave paintings can be seen at the [Canterbury Museum](/source/Canterbury_Museum%2C_Christchurch) in [Christchurch](/source/Christchurch). [State Highway 7](/source/New_Zealand_State_Highway_7) runs through the Weka Pass, and so does a railway line. This railway was established in 1882 and although originally intended to be part of the [Main North Line](/source/Main_North_Line%2C_New_Zealand) from [Christchurch](/source/Christchurch) to [Nelson](/source/Nelson%2C_New_Zealand) and [Blenheim](/source/Blenheim%2C_New_Zealand), the main line ultimately took a coastal route northwards from Waipara and the line through the Weka Pass became part of the [Waiau Branch](/source/Waiau_Branch). This [branch line](/source/Branch_line) operated until 15 January 1978, and the section through the Weka Pass has been saved by a preservation group, the [Weka Pass Railway](/source/Weka_Pass_Railway). It is now a restored railway which primarily serves tourists.[7] ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Place name detail: Weka Pass"](https://gazetteer.linz.govt.nz/place/6928). *New Zealand Gazetteer*. [Land Information New Zealand](/source/Land_Information_New_Zealand). Retrieved 18 May 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Kiwi Bird | The New Zealand National Bird - New Zealand Trails"](https://newzealandtrails.com/news/new-zealand-kiwi-bird/). *newzealandtrails.com*. Retrieved 15 October 2023. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** McFarland, Rob (11 April 2018). ["Best wine regions in New Zealand: Marlborough isn't the only outstanding kiwi wine region"](https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/inspiration/best-wine-regions-in-new-zealand-marlborough-isnt-the-only-outstanding-kiwi-wine-region-20180321-h0xsdd.html). *The Sydney Morning Herald*. Retrieved 15 October 2023. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_4-1) ["Weka Pass Historic Reserve"](https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/canterbury/places/weka-pass-historic-reserve/). *www.doc.govt.nz*. Retrieved 15 October 2023. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Mark (19 June 2021). ["Māori Rock Art Walk at Waikari"](https://nzraw.co.nz/hiking/maori-rock-art-walk-waikari/). *NZ Raw*. Retrieved 15 October 2023. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Preserving the rock art at Weka Pass"](https://www.canterburymuseum.com/explore/our-stories/preserving-the-rock-art-at-weka-pass). *Canterbury Museum*. Retrieved 15 October 2023. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Weka Pass Railway Inc – Weka Pass Railway Inc"](https://wekapassrailway.co.nz/). Retrieved 15 October 2023. ## External links - [Official website of the Weka Pass Railway](http://www.wekapassrailway.co.nz/) - [Department of Conservation: Weka Pass Historic Reserve](http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/page.aspx?id=34200) - [Information about and photos of the railway through Weka Pass](http://www.trainweb.org/enzedrail/branch/waiau/02/) v t e Hurunui District, New Zealand Seat: Amberley Populated places Amberley Ward Amberley Balcairn Broomfield Leithfield Amuri-Hurunui Ward Culverden Hawarden Medbury Mount Lyford Pyramid Valley Rotherham Lake Sumner Waiau Waikari Weka Pass Cheviot Ward Cheviot Gore Bay Hawkswood Hundalee Parnassus Glenmark Ward Greta Valley Motunau Omihi Waipara Hanmer Springs Ward Hanmer Springs Lewis Pass Geographic features Ashley Forest Conway River Doubtful River Doubtless River Edwards River Empson River Esk River Gelt River Glencoe River Glencoe River Glenrae River Grantham River Greta River Hanmer River Harper Pass Hundalee Hills Hurunui River Motunau Island Mount Grey / Maukatere Lake Tennyson Waiau Uwha River Waimakariri River Waipara River Facilities and attractions Hanmer Conservation Park Hurunui River South Branch Kate Valley Landfill Waiau Branch Weka Pass Railway Government District Council Mayor Regional Council [43°00′25″S 172°42′14″E / 43.007°S 172.704°E / -43.007; 172.704](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Weka_Pass¶ms=43.007_S_172.704_E_type:pass_region:NZ) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Weka Pass](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weka_Pass) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weka_Pass?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.