Local History

Local History

Explore local history - the people and places of Ōtautahi.

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Featured

Tī Kōuka Whenua

Explore the vibrant past of Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region that extends back many hundreds of years before 1850.
Into North Korea. Norman Pierson : Korean War Photographs. CCL-Pierson-CCL-PH-0007

The Korean War 1950 to 1953

Explore our resources on the Korean War. It began 75 years ago on 25 June 1950.
Early Cashel Street looking east

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.

Events

Featured

Grave Insights: Plotting lives in Christchurch cemeteries, part of a series

Have you ever spent time wandering in one of Christchurch’s old cemeteries and wondering about the people who are buried there?

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.

Michael Belgrave – Becoming Aotearoa: WORD Chch 2025

Aug 29th | 10:30am - 11:30am
Professor Michael Belgrave invites us to take a deeper, thoughtful look at our shared history.

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.

Song by Lucy Daws: Picturing Canterbury

Lucy Daws performing at the Harbour Street Jazz and Blues Festival 2025 in Oamaru. An image from Canterbury Stories.

Fernside railway station: Picturing Canterbury

Shed at the former Fernside railway station (354 Oxford Road), 2010. An image from the Adrienne Rewi collection on Canterbury Stories.

Technology at Bruno Barberellis: Picturing Canterbury

A senior hairstylist demonstrating computer technology allowing customers to try a virtual hairstyle. An image from Canterbury Stories.

Lisa Tui at Matariki in the Zone: Picturing Canterbury

Lisa Tui performing at Matariki in the Zone at Richmond Community Garde, 22 June 2019. An image from Canterbury Stories.

QUIZ: The Court Theatre

To celebrate the opening of the new Court Theatre building on Gloucester Street we look back at the history of the theatre.

QUIZ: Anzac Day

In April we remember past wars and soldiers. Test your knowledge with our online 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!

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.

Michael Belgrave – Becoming Aotearoa: WORD Chch 2025

Aug 29th | 10:30am - 11:30am
Professor Michael Belgrave invites us to take a deeper, thoughtful look at our shared history.

Fernside railway station: Picturing Canterbury

Shed at the former Fernside railway station (354 Oxford Road), 2010. An image from the Adrienne Rewi collection on Canterbury Stories.

Technology at Bruno Barberellis: Picturing Canterbury

A senior hairstylist demonstrating computer technology allowing customers to try a virtual hairstyle. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Into North Korea. Norman Pierson : Korean War Photographs. CCL-Pierson-CCL-PH-0007

The Korean War 1950 to 1953

Explore our resources on the Korean War. It began 75 years ago on 25 June 1950.
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