Know your streams – Oldham Creek

​Oldham Creek runs through Dodson Valley, from the base of Kaka Hill and towards Tui Glen.

It is named after John Oldham of Werneth House, 'a retired gentleman', who lived at Dodson Valley. It was said that at one time Dodson and Oldham were the only two residents in the immediate locality. 

Oldham is also credited with being the inspiration for the name Atawhai, which means ‘to show kindness or generosity’, as he used to place cases of fruit on a seat beside the road with a notice inviting those passing by to help themselves. The name of Atawhai was later adopted for the district when a post office was started in John Oldham's house.

The main branch of the creek follows the road along Frenchay Dive and Dodson Valley Road, draining into the Atawhai Lagoon. It is met by a second branch of the Creek between Dodson Valley Road and Rainbow Drive. 

The stream channel is surrounded by residential properties, but otherwise follows a fairly natural course. There is plenty of fish life in the lower reaches of the creek with inanga, smelt, banded kokopu, eels and koura (freshwater crayfish) all found in the stream.