Local History
Explore local history - the people and places of Ōtautahi.
Featured events
Drawing connections: Exploring Cecil Wood's architecture, part of a series
Mar 20th, All day
An exhibition using the architectural drawings of Cecil Wood to explore the cultural and historical context of Ōtautahi's built environment.
No 1 Pumphouse: 544 Tuam Street - Pop up Exhibition, part of a series
Have you ever wondered how Christchurch City disposed of its sewage and household waste back in the late 19th century?
Pou Kohikohinga in Residence at Linwood Library
Apr 4th | 9:00am - 5:00pm
Have questions about the Māori collection or want help with kaupapa Māori research? Our Māori Collection specialists are onsite to help.
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.
Featured
Tī Kōuka Whenua
Explore the vibrant past of Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region that extends back many hundreds of years before 1850.
Ancestry Library Edition
Trace your family history. Includes records from U.S., U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Only available in libraries.
From the CCC Archives
Annabel the Archivist reports on the latest digitised additions from the CCC Archives.
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.
Mary Gray Confections, Hereford Court: Picturing Canterbury
Unidentified shopkeeper at Mary Gray Confections at Hereford Court, 1977. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Church of the Open Door Te Pirita: Picturing Canterbury
Church of the Open Door Te Pirita (2017 Sharlands Road), Hororata. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Biplane crash: Picturing Canterbury
Biplane crash in Hanmer Springs, about 1900s. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Still of Wesley Mauafu, mental wellbeing short film
Wesley Mauafu being filmed at Middleton Grange for short film "Youth aspirations for mental wellbeing." An image from the Discovery Wall.
Discover Canterbury: Canterbury Polyfest
Learn about the history of Canterbury's most significant Polynesian festival.
Discover Canterbury: Do you know one of these kids?
Can you help us to identify any of the students pictured above? They were primers 3 & 4 at Christchurch East School in 1965.
Discover Canterbury: Valentine's Day
Children at Linwood Kindergarten, participate in the social custom of expressing their affection with gifts on Valentine's Day.
QUIZ: What's in a name?
What's in a name? Quite a lot! Explore interesting and unusual facts about placenames in Canterbury and test your knowledge.
QUIZ: A Christchurch summertime
Explore interesting and unusual facts about summers past and present in Canterbury!
QUIZ: Xth British Commonwealth Games, 1974
How much do you remember about the 1974 Commonwealth Games? Test your sporting knowledge with our online quiz.
QUIZ: The Twelve (slightly tenuous) Days of Christmas
Work your way through the 12 local history questions of this quiz loosely based on the famous Christmas song.