Local History

Local History

Explore local history - the people and places of Ōtautahi.

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Tī Kōuka Whenua

Explore the vibrant past of Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region that extends back many hundreds of years before 1850.
Early Cashel Street looking east

Ōtautahi Christchurch Central City Living History Walk

Christchurch City Council Archives & Christchurch City Libraries have launched the Ōtautahi Christchurch Central City Living History Walk.

Family history eResources

Explore online resources for researching family history and genealogy.

Ancestry Library Edition

Trace your family history. Includes records from U.S., U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Access on library computers.

Featured

Exhibition: Tuakiri Investigates: Eccentric Christchurch, part of a series

This summer the Tuakiri team investigates Eccentric Christchurch - the unusual people, places and events of the 19th and 20th century.

Tūranga - Heritage Highlights: Canterbury Museum

Feb 26th | 10:30am - 11:30am
Sarah Murray, Canterbury Museum’s Deputy Director, will give an illustrated talk about the Museum’s major redevelopment.

Māori Land Court Drop In Advisory Clinic, part of a series

Do you have a Māori Land Court enquiry? Staff from the Māori Land Court will be available to answer questions and provide advice.

Events

Popular resources

Popular resources

Poster collection: Rock music

Local band posters digitised from the libraries' ephemera collection.

He Kohinga Pūranga / Archives

Located on Tuakiri | Identity, Level 2 of Tūranga the Archives are a rich collection of primary sources on the city’s history.

Digital maps

This is a collection of digital images of historical maps. The maps focus mostly on Christchurch and Canterbury.

An army marches on its stomach: Picturing Canterbury

New Zealand Defence Force soldiers having a meal at the corner of Bealey Avenue and Park Terrace, 2011. An image from Canterbury Stories.

Stanbury family at 29 Church Road: Picturing Canterbury

The family of Ann and Colin Stanbury standing in front of their house at 29 Church Road, Little River. An image from Canterbury Stories.

Men and boys stringing up eels to dry: Picturing Canterbury

Stringing up eels to dry at Rāpaki for the 120th anniversary of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1960. An image from Canterbury Stories.

Hillmorton High School band, No Compromise

John Borlase, Ricky Boyd, Jason Mitchelmore, and Michael Carpinter of No Compromise. An image from Canterbury Stories.

Discover Canterbury: Water Fun

Splash into summer with this look back at people enjoying the water during New Zealand summers.

Discover Canterbury: Happy New Year!/Ngā mihi o te Tau Hou!

Some favourite photographs of Cantabrians and their baches from Canterbury Stories.

Discover Canterbury: ChristChurch Cathedral Christmas

Enjoy memories of Christmastime splendour as observed at Christchurch Cathedral over the years.

QUIZ: Firsts, sunny days, summer sports and ice cream

Test your knowledge of a mixture of local history questions including some historic firsts and summery facts.

Quiz: Christmas questions

This month’s quiz is dedicated to the celebration of Christmas in Ōtautahi Christchurch!

QUIZ: Parihaka - The Canterbury Connection

Explore facts relating to the invasion of Parihaka, commemorated on 5 November every year, and Canterbury connections to this event.

QUIZ: Active Heritage - Sports, Recreation and Leisure

Test your knowledge of local sporting and leisure facts of an bygone era in our active heritage quiz.

1974 Commonwealth Games

Xth British Commonwealth Games 1974

The 1974 Commonwealth Games were known as the Friendly Games. They took place in Christchurch from 24 January to 2 February 1974.

So Many Stories: 1974 Christchurch Commonwealth Games: Pt 1

Hear from the folks who made the 1974 Commonwealth Games happen, from security guards to drivers, to committee members and media.

So Many Stories: 1974 Christchurch Commonwealth Games: Pt 2

A special episode includes memories from athletes, organisers and staff who were central to the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch.
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