Te Rauakaaka is a regional park at Kainga, Christchurch 8083, on the south side of the Waimakariri River, rated 4.7 from 7 Google reviews. The Canterbury Regional Council describes it as popular with bird watchers, families and anglers.
The 212-hectare park includes a saltmarsh and the Styx River Mouth Nature Reserve. The Whites Crossing picnic area has tables and public toilets, and a shared-use track runs from there to Brooklands Lagoon. Other routes include the Templars Island Trail and Pikes Track, and Kainga Beach is known for bird viewing and whitebaiting. Dogs must be kept under effective control at all times. No barbecues are provided, though gas-only barbecues may be brought, and fires are not allowed.
For a picnic, a walk or a bird-watching visit by the Waimakariri River, Te Rauakaaka is worth a stop.