Cave Rock is an unusual volcanic formation near the town centre on Sumner Beach, in Christchurch. It includes a cave through the rock that you can walk through at low tide and a short, steep hike to the top. You will find some rough steps in the rock on the south side. From the top of the rock, the beach views are stunning.
On the top is a small tower, flag pole, and plaque dedicated to the Captain of the Sumner Lifeboat, Joseph Day. Day saved many lives in the late 1860s, and the organisation is still active today.
The Māori name for Cave Rock is Tuawera, meaning “cut down as if by fire”. It arises from a story where Tūrakipō, a chief of Ōpawāho, sought Hineao, a daughter of Te Ake of Akaroa, for a wife. She wasn’t interested, so Tūrakipō cast a death spell upon her. In revenge, Te Ake went to a hill overlooking Sumner and uttered a karakia (incantation) against Tūrakipō and his people. A whale was stranded on the shore that Tūrakipō’s people eagerly feasted upon. Those who ate the whale fell asleep and died. Tūrakipō, suspicious that the stranded whale resulted from makutu (black magic), did not partake, but with few followers left, Te Ake’s party duly slew him as well!
