Local History
Explore local history - the people and places of Ōtautahi.
Featured
Tī Kōuka Whenua
Explore the vibrant past of Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region that extends back many hundreds of years before 1850.
Ōtautahi Christchurch Central City Living History Walk
Christchurch City Council Archives & Christchurch City Libraries have launched the Ōtautahi Christchurch Central City Living History Walk.
Family history eResources
Explore online resources for researching family history and genealogy.
Ancestry Library Edition
Trace your family history. Includes records from U.S., U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Access on library computers.
Tī Kōuka Whenua
Explore the vibrant past of Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region that extends back many hundreds of years before 1850.
Ōtautahi Christchurch Central City Living History Walk
Christchurch City Council Archives & Christchurch City Libraries have launched the Ōtautahi Christchurch Central City Living History Walk.
Family history eResources
Explore online resources for researching family history and genealogy.
Ancestry Library Edition
Trace your family history. Includes records from U.S., U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Access on library computers.
Featured
Exhibition: Tuakiri Investigates: Eccentric Christchurch, part of a series
Jan 30th, All day
This summer the Tuakiri team investigates Eccentric Christchurch - the unusual people, places and events of the 19th and 20th century.
Māori Land Court Drop In Advisory Clinic, part of a series
Do you have a Māori Land Court enquiry? Staff from the Māori Land Court will be available to answer questions and provide advice.
Beginner's Guide to Local History (6 week programme)
Feb 12th | 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Join our Local History librarians as we explore local history topics. Cost: $16.43, including booking fee.
Exhibition: Tuakiri Investigates: Eccentric Christchurch, part of a series
Jan 30th, All day
This summer the Tuakiri team investigates Eccentric Christchurch - the unusual people, places and events of the 19th and 20th century.
Māori Land Court Drop In Advisory Clinic, part of a series
Do you have a Māori Land Court enquiry? Staff from the Māori Land Court will be available to answer questions and provide advice.
Beginner's Guide to Local History (6 week programme)
Feb 12th | 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Join our Local History librarians as we explore local history topics. Cost: $16.43, including booking fee.
Events
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.
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.
Hillmorton High School band, No Compromise
John Borlase, Ricky Boyd, Jason Mitchelmore, and Michael Carpinter of No Compromise. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Smurf toys at BP
A display of Smurf toys and other branded goods for sale at a BP service station in 1981. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Archery at YMCA Camp: Picturing Canterbury
Anna Faoagali (left) and Jennifer Harwood aiming their bows at the YMCA camp, Wainui, 1981. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Temple menorah (מְנוֹרָה) at Aldersgate Centre
Temple menorah (מְנוֹרָה) at Aldersgate Centre (309 Durham Street North). An image from Canterbury Stories.
Hillmorton High School band, No Compromise
John Borlase, Ricky Boyd, Jason Mitchelmore, and Michael Carpinter of No Compromise. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Smurf toys at BP
A display of Smurf toys and other branded goods for sale at a BP service station in 1981. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Archery at YMCA Camp: Picturing Canterbury
Anna Faoagali (left) and Jennifer Harwood aiming their bows at the YMCA camp, Wainui, 1981. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Temple menorah (מְנוֹרָה) at Aldersgate Centre
Temple menorah (מְנוֹרָה) at Aldersgate Centre (309 Durham Street North). An image from Canterbury Stories.
Discover Canterbury: Water Fun
Splash into summer with this look back at people enjoying the water during New Zealand summers.
Discover Canterbury: Happy New Year!/Ngā mihi o te Tau Hou!
Some favourite photographs of Cantabrians and their baches from Canterbury Stories.
Discover Canterbury: ChristChurch Cathedral Christmas
Enjoy memories of Christmastime splendour as observed at Christchurch Cathedral over the years.
Discover Canterbury: Water Fun
Splash into summer with this look back at people enjoying the water during New Zealand summers.
Discover Canterbury: Happy New Year!/Ngā mihi o te Tau Hou!
Some favourite photographs of Cantabrians and their baches from Canterbury Stories.
Discover Canterbury: ChristChurch Cathedral Christmas
Enjoy memories of Christmastime splendour as observed at Christchurch Cathedral over the years.
Quiz: Christmas questions
This month’s quiz is dedicated to the celebration of Christmas in Ōtautahi Christchurch!
QUIZ: Parihaka - The Canterbury Connection
Explore facts relating to the invasion of Parihaka, commemorated on 5 November every year, and Canterbury connections to this event.
QUIZ: Active Heritage - Sports, Recreation and Leisure
Test your knowledge of local sporting and leisure facts of an bygone era in our active heritage quiz.
QUIZ: Spring
Ah, spring – the season of pretty flowers and blossom, baby animals and sometimes extreme weather!
Quiz: Christmas questions
This month’s quiz is dedicated to the celebration of Christmas in Ōtautahi Christchurch!
QUIZ: Parihaka - The Canterbury Connection
Explore facts relating to the invasion of Parihaka, commemorated on 5 November every year, and Canterbury connections to this event.
QUIZ: Active Heritage - Sports, Recreation and Leisure
Test your knowledge of local sporting and leisure facts of an bygone era in our active heritage quiz.
QUIZ: Spring
Ah, spring – the season of pretty flowers and blossom, baby animals and sometimes extreme weather!
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.
