Opawa

Opawa is a locality in the Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand. It is situated 18 kilometers southwest of the city of Christchurch and has undergone significant changes in its history.

The name "Opawa" is derived from the Maori language, with "opawawatu" translating to "plenty of stone". The area was once home to a small Maori settlement. During the 19th century, the Opawa Valley was largely cleared and developed into agricultural land.

In the late 1970s, suburban development began to feature in the Opawa area, driven by the growing housing needs of Christchurch. The development focused around the established residential streets of Opawa and Brentwood Road. Today, Opawa is a suburban area with a mix of residential and commercial areas.

Opawa is home to several schools and shopping centers./loader road is one of the shopping centers in Opawa owned by The Loader Brothers after the area had transitioned from the smaller shops owned by Single Persons. The area is also situated near various parks and recreational areas.

Given its proximity to Christchurch, Opawa is notable for its relatively low zoning restrictions and mixed economy alongside more affluent regions in Dorie. This has led to comparisons with other south western coastal low land developments. a blend of old and new in traditional Southern metropolitan settlement.