Local History
Explore local history - the people and places of Ōtautahi.
Featured
Canterbury Stories
Online collections from our digitised archives, publications, & photographs. Includes Photo Hunt images, exhibitions, image sets, & more.
Canterbury Stories
Online collections from our digitised archives, publications, & photographs. Includes Photo Hunt images, exhibitions, image sets, & more.
Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu, part of a series
Every library holds taonga, some nestled safely away, others passed through countless hands. This exhibition brings these treasures together
Did they really do that?Cantabrians' quest for world records, part of a series
Jul 4th, All day
Cantabrians have always embraced a challenge. The 1970s & 1980s were peak decades for attempting to break a world record, any world record!
Let's Dig It! - 8-12 years - SOLD OUT, part of a series
Step into the world of archaeology! Young explorers will handle real artefacts, try out archaeological activities, and discover the past.
Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu, part of a series
Every library holds taonga, some nestled safely away, others passed through countless hands. This exhibition brings these treasures together
Did they really do that?Cantabrians' quest for world records, part of a series
Jul 4th, All day
Cantabrians have always embraced a challenge. The 1970s & 1980s were peak decades for attempting to break a world record, any world record!
Let's Dig It! - 8-12 years - SOLD OUT, part of a series
Step into the world of archaeology! Young explorers will handle real artefacts, try out archaeological activities, and discover the past.
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.
NZ Music Month: Picturing Canterbury
Christchurch City Libraries celebrates NZ Music Month during May every year. Here are some musical highlights from Canterbury Stories.
John Britten: Picturing Canterbury
Born in Christchurch in 1950, John Britten found fame as the designer of motorcycles. The Britten Museum opened Wednesday 18 February 2026.
Couloir Peak and Cameron Glacier: Picturing Canterbury
The Cameron River valley, Couloir Peak, and Cameron Glacier as seen from Ōtūroto Lake Heron, 2008. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Cousin’s Christmas photo with Santa Claus
Cousins Barbara Carswell and Winifred Boyd with Santa Claus at Beaths Toyland, 1953. An image from Canterbury Stories.
NZ Music Month: Picturing Canterbury
Christchurch City Libraries celebrates NZ Music Month during May every year. Here are some musical highlights from Canterbury Stories.
John Britten: Picturing Canterbury
Born in Christchurch in 1950, John Britten found fame as the designer of motorcycles. The Britten Museum opened Wednesday 18 February 2026.
Couloir Peak and Cameron Glacier: Picturing Canterbury
The Cameron River valley, Couloir Peak, and Cameron Glacier as seen from Ōtūroto Lake Heron, 2008. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Cousin’s Christmas photo with Santa Claus
Cousins Barbara Carswell and Winifred Boyd with Santa Claus at Beaths Toyland, 1953. An image from Canterbury Stories.
QUIZ: Winter warmers
As the days are getting colder, try these questions about mid-winter and some of the ways Ōtautahi has kept warm and well over the years.
QUIZ: Schools
Test your knowledge of local schools and educational history with our monthly quiz.
QUIZ: First World War
Test your knowledge ahead of New Zealand’s involvement in the First World War I ahead of Anzac Day commemorations on 25 April.
QUIZ: Directories
A directory is an index or list of individuals and/or organisations that also includes contact details. Great for local history research.
QUIZ: Winter warmers
As the days are getting colder, try these questions about mid-winter and some of the ways Ōtautahi has kept warm and well over the years.
QUIZ: Schools
Test your knowledge of local schools and educational history with our monthly quiz.
QUIZ: First World War
Test your knowledge ahead of New Zealand’s involvement in the First World War I ahead of Anzac Day commemorations on 25 April.
QUIZ: Directories
A directory is an index or list of individuals and/or organisations that also includes contact details. Great for local history research.
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1974 Commonwealth Games
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.
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.
World records (and attempts) achieved by Cantabrians!
Photos from Canterbury Stories capturing local world record attempts over the years.
Terra Nova Illustrated – David Wilson: Book launch
Jul 8th | 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Hear about David’s latest book, Terra Nova Illustrated: Pictures from Captain Scott's Last Antarctic Expedition 1910-1913.
QUIZ: Winter warmers
As the days are getting colder, try these questions about mid-winter and some of the ways Ōtautahi has kept warm and well over the years.
Meet the objects: Treasures of Tuakiri
Jul 15th | 12:15pm - 12:45pm
Join the Tuakiri team for a series of informal lunchtime talks exploring highlights of the Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu exhibition.
World records (and attempts) achieved by Cantabrians!
Photos from Canterbury Stories capturing local world record attempts over the years.
Terra Nova Illustrated – David Wilson: Book launch
Jul 8th | 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Hear about David’s latest book, Terra Nova Illustrated: Pictures from Captain Scott's Last Antarctic Expedition 1910-1913.
QUIZ: Winter warmers
As the days are getting colder, try these questions about mid-winter and some of the ways Ōtautahi has kept warm and well over the years.
Meet the objects: Treasures of Tuakiri
Jul 15th | 12:15pm - 12:45pm
Join the Tuakiri team for a series of informal lunchtime talks exploring highlights of the Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu exhibition.