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.
The Korean War 1950 to 1953
Explore our resources on the Korean War. It began 75 years ago on 25 June 1950.
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.
Tī Kōuka Whenua
Explore the vibrant past of Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region that extends back many hundreds of years before 1850.
The Korean War 1950 to 1953
Explore our resources on the Korean War. It began 75 years ago on 25 June 1950.
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
Jul 21st, All day
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.
Grave Insights: Plotting lives in Christchurch cemeteries, part of a series
Jul 21st, All day
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
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.
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.
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!
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.
The Korean War 1950 to 1953
Explore our resources on the Korean War. It began 75 years ago on 25 June 1950.
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.
The Korean War 1950 to 1953
Explore our resources on the Korean War. It began 75 years ago on 25 June 1950.