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
Mar 18th, All day
This summer the Tuakiri team investigates Eccentric Christchurch - the unusual people, places and events of the 19th and 20th century.
Exhibition: Tuakiri Investigates: Diaries and Letters Home, part of a series
Mar 28th, All day
Personal letters, diaries, photos, records and medals from our Archives. Read what the war was really like for these local lads.
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.
Exhibition: Tuakiri Investigates: Eccentric Christchurch, part of a series
Mar 18th, All day
This summer the Tuakiri team investigates Eccentric Christchurch - the unusual people, places and events of the 19th and 20th century.
Exhibition: Tuakiri Investigates: Diaries and Letters Home, part of a series
Mar 28th, All day
Personal letters, diaries, photos, records and medals from our Archives. Read what the war was really like for these local lads.
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.
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.
Felsi and Nela at the Botanic Gardens: Picturing Canterbury
Nela and Felsi are friends as part of the IHC Volunteer Friendship programme. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Seating outside bars on The Strip: Picturing Canterbury
People seated outside bars and restaurants on The Strip (Oxford Terrace). c.2000-2001. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Children in Atlantis Street park: Picturing Canterbury
Lauren, Matthew, and Jordan in the park at 33 Atlantis Street, New Brighton, 2012. An image from Canterbury Stories.
An army marches on its stomach: Picturing Canterbury
New Zealand Defence Force soldiers having a meal at the corner of Bealey Avenue and Park Terrace, 2011. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Felsi and Nela at the Botanic Gardens: Picturing Canterbury
Nela and Felsi are friends as part of the IHC Volunteer Friendship programme. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Seating outside bars on The Strip: Picturing Canterbury
People seated outside bars and restaurants on The Strip (Oxford Terrace). c.2000-2001. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Children in Atlantis Street park: Picturing Canterbury
Lauren, Matthew, and Jordan in the park at 33 Atlantis Street, New Brighton, 2012. An image from Canterbury Stories.
An army marches on its stomach: Picturing Canterbury
New Zealand Defence Force soldiers having a meal at the corner of Bealey Avenue and Park Terrace, 2011. 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: Firsts, sunny days, summer sports and ice cream
Test your knowledge of a mixture of local history questions including some historic firsts and summery facts.
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: Firsts, sunny days, summer sports and ice cream
Test your knowledge of a mixture of local history questions including some historic firsts and summery facts.
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.
New Zealand and the Korean War
Have a look through these books to find out more about the 6000 New Zealanders who played a role in the Korean War.
City2Surf: Canterbury Stories
Photos from the City2Surf fun run event. Includes images from 1975, 1977, 1981, 1983, and 2024. The first City to Surf was on 22 March 1975.
Exhibition: Tuakiri Investigates: Diaries and Letters Home, part of a series
Mar 28th, All day
Personal letters, diaries, photos, records and medals from our Archives. Read what the war was really like for these local lads.
New Zealand and the Korean War
Have a look through these books to find out more about the 6000 New Zealanders who played a role in the Korean War.
City2Surf: Canterbury Stories
Photos from the City2Surf fun run event. Includes images from 1975, 1977, 1981, 1983, and 2024. The first City to Surf was on 22 March 1975.
Exhibition: Tuakiri Investigates: Diaries and Letters Home, part of a series
Mar 28th, All day
Personal letters, diaries, photos, records and medals from our Archives. Read what the war was really like for these local lads.
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.
