Local History
Explore local history - the people and places of Ōtautahi.
Featured
Tī Kōuka Whenua
Explore the vibrant past of Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region that extends back many hundreds of years before 1850.
Family history eResources
Explore online resources for researching family history and genealogy.
Christchurch Streets and Places
Explore the origins of street names via searchable documents or the interactive Christchurch streets map.
Canterbury Stories
Online collections from our digitised archives, publications, & photographs. Includes Photo Hunt images, exhibitions, image sets, & more.
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.
Second birthday cake: Picturing Canterbury
A birthday cake made from the Australian Women’s Weekly children's birthday cake book, 1982. An image from Canterbury Stories.
North Beach gala: Picturing Canterbury
The Chair-o-plane, a merry-go-round, and the Tilt-a-whirl at the North Beach Gala, about 1923. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Packing room at Zealandia Soap and Candle Works
Employees working in the packing room at Zealandia Soap and Candle Works in Belfast,1930s. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Acrobatics on sheep sculptures, FESTA: Picturing Canterbury
Impromptu acrobatics on sheep sculptures during the FEStival of Transitional Architecture, 2014. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Discover Canterbury: Ballantynes' Fire
On 18 November 1947 a fire broke out at Ballantynes department store. 41 people lost their lives.
Discover Canterbury: Millbrook Reserve - a hidden gem
Explore 1920s images from the opening of Millbrook Reserve, located just over the river from Little Hagley Park.
Discover Canterbury: For the Love of Music!
Gabrielle Heath's 2023 Photo Hunt entry shows a group of accordion players. Donate your photos this month to win Riverside Market vouchers!
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.
QUIZ: Spring
Ah, spring – the season of pretty flowers and blossom, baby animals and sometimes extreme weather!
QUIZ: Chinese in Aotearoa New Zealand
This month's quiz highlights the history of Chinese people in Aotearoa New Zealand.
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.
