Local History
Explore local history - the people and places of Ōtautahi.
Featured events
House of Treasures Te Whare Taonga: Canterbury Museum, part of a series
This exhibition presents five of treasures from the museum, ranging from a moa skull to a Samoan tatau chisel, and a digital display.
Heritage Highlights: ‘Lost in translation'
Aug 14th | 11:00am - 12:30pm
Lois Yee discusses her family's journey from Taishan, China to living in Ōtautahi.
Women of the Wheel: Past and Present Exhibition Opening
Aug 23rd | 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Hear from a panel of local women's cycling history experts. Light food and drink will be provided. Bookings required.
Featured
Tī Kōuka Whenua
Explore the vibrant past of Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region that extends back many hundreds of years before 1850.
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.
Ancestry Library Edition
Trace your family history. Includes records from U.S., U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Only available in libraries.
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.
Gnome on the University of Canterbury campus
Garden gnome and seal ornaments in fountains added by students during capping week activities, 1977. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Staveley Ice Skating Rink: Picturing Canterbury
People skating at Staveley Ice Skating Rink, Flynns Road. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Matariki in the Zone Hāngī: Picturing Canterbury
A hāngī is lifted during the Matariki in the Zone event at Richmond Community Garden, 2018. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Burwood Rabbit Farm: Picturing Canterbury
Burwood Rabbit Farm at what was 24 Francis Street, later Bassett Street, early 1930s. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Discover Canterbury: The Big Snow of 1945
We look back at the record snowfall of 1945 through photographs taken by local people.
Discover Canterbury: Christchurch Botanic Gardens
We look at the history of Christchurch Botanic Gardens which began in 1863 with the planting of an English oak tree.
Discover Canterbury: Sunnyside Hospital
The facility that became Sunnyside Hospital was built in 1863, in a châteauesque Gothic style. Learn about the history of these buildings.
QUIZ: School holidays
Test yourself on some education and schooling facts in time for school holidays.
Quiz: On the road
Some local history questions about road safety, transport, and traffic.
QUIZ: Business
It's business time! Try our local history quiz focused on business and industry.
QUIZ: An Aotearoa/ New Zealand autumn
Test yourself with questions about March, April, May and autumn in general.
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.
