The river has also been a source of seafood for Ngāi Tahu, and is a source of Aotea, a rock containing kyanite that is only found in the river.
The river has been an essential part of the traditional way of life for Ngāi Tahu, offering a source of food, including seafood. Additionally, it's home to a distinctive geological feature, Aotea, a rock containing kyanite that can only be found in this river.