Local History
Explore local history - the people and places of Ōtautahi.
Featured
Christchurch Photo Hunt 2025 - The Winners
Explore the winners and highly commended photos and collections in the 2025 Christchurch Photo Hunt.
Christchurch Photo Hunt 2025 - The Winners
Explore the winners and highly commended photos and collections in the 2025 Christchurch Photo Hunt.
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.
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.
Christmas tree in ChristChurch Cathedral
Rescuing the Christmas tree in ChristChurch Cathedral after it toppled over whilst being installed, 1983. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Christmas trees for Antarctica: Picturing Canterbury
S.W. Skudder and I. Radovanovich with Christmas trees destined for Antarctica, 1980. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Donkey at Christmas Parade: Picturing Canterbury
A shepherd and his donkey walking in the New Brighton Christmas Parade, 9 December 2017. 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.
Christmas tree in ChristChurch Cathedral
Rescuing the Christmas tree in ChristChurch Cathedral after it toppled over whilst being installed, 1983. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Christmas trees for Antarctica: Picturing Canterbury
S.W. Skudder and I. Radovanovich with Christmas trees destined for Antarctica, 1980. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Donkey at Christmas Parade: Picturing Canterbury
A shepherd and his donkey walking in the New Brighton Christmas Parade, 9 December 2017. An image from Canterbury Stories.
QUIZ: Cricket
Summertime is cricket time. Cricket has a long history in Ōtautahi Christchurch. We have eleven Canterbury cricket questions for you!
QUIZ: Cinemas and Theatres
Test your local history knowledge with our quiz on the cinemas and theatres of Ōtautahi Christchurch.
QUIZ: Christchurch in the Nineties
Do you remember Christchurch in the 1990s? Test your knowledge, or your memory, of this iconic decade.
QUIZ: Christchurch Photo Hunt
Can you answer 10 local history questions that correspond to previous Photo Hunt images?
QUIZ: Cricket
Summertime is cricket time. Cricket has a long history in Ōtautahi Christchurch. We have eleven Canterbury cricket questions for you!
QUIZ: Cinemas and Theatres
Test your local history knowledge with our quiz on the cinemas and theatres of Ōtautahi Christchurch.
QUIZ: Christchurch in the Nineties
Do you remember Christchurch in the 1990s? Test your knowledge, or your memory, of this iconic decade.
QUIZ: Christchurch Photo Hunt
Can you answer 10 local history questions that correspond to previous Photo Hunt images?
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.
QUIZ: Cricket
Summertime is cricket time. Cricket has a long history in Ōtautahi Christchurch. We have eleven Canterbury cricket questions for you!
New Year's Eve in SOL Square: Picturing Canterbury
People outside the Fish and Chip Shop and Yellow Cross in SOL Square on New Year’s Eve, 2007. 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.
Beginner's Guide to Local History (6 week programme)
Feb 19th | 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Join our Local History librarians as we explore gems in our collection, including archives, maps, images, digitised diaries and more!
QUIZ: Cricket
Summertime is cricket time. Cricket has a long history in Ōtautahi Christchurch. We have eleven Canterbury cricket questions for you!
New Year's Eve in SOL Square: Picturing Canterbury
People outside the Fish and Chip Shop and Yellow Cross in SOL Square on New Year’s Eve, 2007. 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.
Beginner's Guide to Local History (6 week programme)
Feb 19th | 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Join our Local History librarians as we explore gems in our collection, including archives, maps, images, digitised diaries and more!