Local History

Local History

Explore local history - the people and places of Ōtautahi.

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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

Territorial training for NZ Signal corps. 29 February 1940. Christchurch Star - no known copyright. CCL-StarP-00972A

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.

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.

Cameron Japanese Family Restaurant: Picturing Canterbury

Cameron Japanese Family Restaurant, ファミリーレストラン キャメロン, on Main South Road, Hornby. An image from Canterbury Stories.

Headwaters of Ilam Stream: Picturing Canterbury

Swale with headwaters of Ilam Stream in Avonhead Park, 9 October 2018. An image from Canterbury Stories.

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: Nature city

Time to get out and about in the city’s natural spaces - can you answer these quiz questions about parks, reserves and gardens in our city?

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.

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.

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.

Christmas trees for Antarctica: Picturing Canterbury

S.W. Skudder and I. Radovanovich with Christmas trees destined for Antarctica, 1980. An image from Canterbury Stories.

Rangahau-ā-Iwi: Ngāi Tahu

Feb 3rd | 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Interested in Iwi history and research? Come along to our Iwi Research event where the focus at this session will be Ngāi Tahu.

Christchurch Photo Hunt 2025 - The Winners

Explore the winners and highly commended photos and collections in the 2025 Christchurch Photo Hunt.

Most Popular in 2025: Canterbury Stories

Images and collections that were popular in Canterbury Stories include The Strip collection, Christchurch Streets and Places, and more!
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