Rivers make the plain

These are New Zealand's largest flat lands spreading over a length of 200 km.

This vast growing plain came from the eroding Southern Alps.

When the first people arrived to live on the plain it was a barren desert and early travelers could easily perish due to thirst.

Human endeavour has changed these plains. They are now very different because of the extensive use of irrigation and good farming management activities.

Travelling over these plains we encounter delightful farming communities, large braded rivers and modern productive farms providing food for the world.

Studies
We can examine land cycles, with formation and demise using tectonic forces, uplifting mountains, planetary air movements. flowing rivers and ocean currents.

Vast aquifers beneath are being developed and managed for drinking and farm irrigation.

Groups can learn how farmers transformed these unusable deserts into highly productive dairy farmlands despite a rainfall of just 500mm.