Local History
Explore local history - the people and places of Ōtautahi.
Featured
Christchurch Streets and Places
Discover the history and origins of Ōtautahi streets. NEW: the map now connects to Canterbury Stories images of 1,400 Christchurch streets.
Christchurch Streets and Places
Discover the history and origins of Ōtautahi streets. NEW: the map now connects to Canterbury Stories images of 1,400 Christchurch streets.
Did they really do that? Cantabrians' world record quests, part of a series
Aug 26th, All day
Cantabrians have always embraced a challenge. The 1970s & 1980s were peak decades for attempting to break a world record, any world record!
Heritage Highlights: Preserving Heritage Places
Aug 26th | 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Heritage Advisor Frank van der Heijden will speak on how the Department of Conservation manages and cares for key cultural heritage sites.
Shortland Pounamu: WORD Christchurch Festival 2026
Sep 4th | 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Ngāi Tahu Archive panellists Atholl Anderson, Helen Brown, Takerei Norton, and Michael Stevens share the story of the Shortland Pounamu.
Did they really do that? Cantabrians' world record quests, part of a series
Aug 26th, All day
Cantabrians have always embraced a challenge. The 1970s & 1980s were peak decades for attempting to break a world record, any world record!
Heritage Highlights: Preserving Heritage Places
Aug 26th | 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Heritage Advisor Frank van der Heijden will speak on how the Department of Conservation manages and cares for key cultural heritage sites.
Shortland Pounamu: WORD Christchurch Festival 2026
Sep 4th | 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Ngāi Tahu Archive panellists Atholl Anderson, Helen Brown, Takerei Norton, and Michael Stevens share the story of the Shortland Pounamu.
Popular resources
Popular resources
Wars and conflicts
Explore information on wars and conflicts New Zealand has been involved in.
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.
Wars and conflicts
Explore information on wars and conflicts New Zealand has been involved in.
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.
NZ Music Month: Picturing Canterbury
Christchurch City Libraries celebrates NZ Music Month during May every year. Here are some musical highlights from Canterbury Stories.
John Britten: Picturing Canterbury
Born in Christchurch in 1950, John Britten found fame as the designer of motorcycles. The Britten Museum opened Wednesday 18 February 2026.
Couloir Peak and Cameron Glacier: Picturing Canterbury
The Cameron River valley, Couloir Peak, and Cameron Glacier as seen from Ōtūroto Lake Heron, 2008. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Cousin’s Christmas photo with Santa Claus
Cousins Barbara Carswell and Winifred Boyd with Santa Claus at Beaths Toyland, 1953. An image from Canterbury Stories.
NZ Music Month: Picturing Canterbury
Christchurch City Libraries celebrates NZ Music Month during May every year. Here are some musical highlights from Canterbury Stories.
John Britten: Picturing Canterbury
Born in Christchurch in 1950, John Britten found fame as the designer of motorcycles. The Britten Museum opened Wednesday 18 February 2026.
Couloir Peak and Cameron Glacier: Picturing Canterbury
The Cameron River valley, Couloir Peak, and Cameron Glacier as seen from Ōtūroto Lake Heron, 2008. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Cousin’s Christmas photo with Santa Claus
Cousins Barbara Carswell and Winifred Boyd with Santa Claus at Beaths Toyland, 1953. An image from Canterbury Stories.
QUIZ: Winter warmers
As the days are getting colder, try these questions about mid-winter and some of the ways Ōtautahi has kept warm and well over the years.
QUIZ: Schools
Test your knowledge of local schools and educational history with our monthly quiz.
QUIZ: First World War
Test your knowledge ahead of New Zealand’s involvement in the First World War I ahead of Anzac Day commemorations on 25 April.
QUIZ: Directories
A directory is an index or list of individuals and/or organisations that also includes contact details. Great for local history research.
QUIZ: Winter warmers
As the days are getting colder, try these questions about mid-winter and some of the ways Ōtautahi has kept warm and well over the years.
QUIZ: Schools
Test your knowledge of local schools and educational history with our monthly quiz.
QUIZ: First World War
Test your knowledge ahead of New Zealand’s involvement in the First World War I ahead of Anzac Day commemorations on 25 April.
QUIZ: Directories
A directory is an index or list of individuals and/or organisations that also includes contact details. Great for local history research.
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1974 Commonwealth Games
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.
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.
Elizabeth McCombs (1873 – 1935)
Elizabeth McCombs became New Zealand’s first woman MP in 1933 when she won the Lyttelton seat in a by-election.
Spinster, Married, Widowed: Exhibition, part of a series
Learn about some fabulous women who were so much more than their marital status.
Heritage Highlights: Preserving Heritage Places
Aug 26th | 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Heritage Advisor Frank van der Heijden will speak on how the Department of Conservation manages and cares for key cultural heritage sites.
Haere ra, Harley Chambers
A look at the history of the soon to be demolished Harley Chambers building via photos and architectural drawings in Canterbury Stories.
Elizabeth McCombs (1873 – 1935)
Elizabeth McCombs became New Zealand’s first woman MP in 1933 when she won the Lyttelton seat in a by-election.
Spinster, Married, Widowed: Exhibition, part of a series
Learn about some fabulous women who were so much more than their marital status.
Heritage Highlights: Preserving Heritage Places
Aug 26th | 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Heritage Advisor Frank van der Heijden will speak on how the Department of Conservation manages and cares for key cultural heritage sites.
Haere ra, Harley Chambers
A look at the history of the soon to be demolished Harley Chambers building via photos and architectural drawings in Canterbury Stories.