Local History
Explore local history - the people and places of Ōtautahi.
Featured
Christchurch Streets and Places
Discover the history and origins of Ōtautahi streets. NEW: the map now connects to Canterbury Stories images of 1,400 Christchurch streets.
Christchurch Streets and Places
Discover the history and origins of Ōtautahi streets. NEW: the map now connects to Canterbury Stories images of 1,400 Christchurch streets.
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.
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.
Jigger board tree event: Picturing Canterbury
Competitors in a jigger board tree wood chopping event at the Canterbury A & P Show, 2008. 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.
Jigger board tree event: Picturing Canterbury
Competitors in a jigger board tree wood chopping event at the Canterbury A & P Show, 2008. 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?
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
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 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.
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!
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: Cinemas and Theatres
Test your local history knowledge with our quiz on the cinemas and theatres of Ōtautahi Christchurch.
Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre - Opening day photos
A look back at the opening of Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre on 28 November 2015.
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!
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: Cinemas and Theatres
Test your local history knowledge with our quiz on the cinemas and theatres of Ōtautahi Christchurch.
Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre - Opening day photos
A look back at the opening of Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre on 28 November 2015.