Local History
Explore local history - the people and places of Ōtautahi.
Featured events
House of Treasures Te Whare Taonga: Canterbury Museum, part of a series
This exhibition presents five of treasures from the museum, ranging from a moa skull to a Samoan tatau chisel, and a digital display.
Women of the Wheel: Past and Present Exhibition, part of a series
Discover the history of women's cycling in Ōtautahi Christchurch from 1890 to now at this exhibition running 24 August to 24 November 2024.
Days of Ice | Lyttelton Antarctic Window Hunt, part of a series
Sep 28th - Oct 13th | 10:00am - 3:00pm
Explore Lyttelton’s rich Antarctic history with a fun window hunt for the kids. This event for ages 5-15 runs through the school hols.
Featured
Tī Kōuka Whenua
Explore the vibrant past of Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region that extends back many hundreds of years before 1850.
Family history eResources
Explore online resources for researching family history and genealogy.
Christchurch Streets and Places
Explore the origins of street names via searchable documents or the interactive Christchurch streets map.
Canterbury Stories
Online collections from our digitised archives, publications, & photographs. Includes Photo Hunt images, exhibitions, image sets, & more.
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.
Filming a traffic safety film: Picturing Canterbury
Traffic safety filming on Harper Avenue showing a simulated collision between a Mini and a truck, 1982. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Ford Prefect on Ferry Road: Picturing Canterbury
Ford Prefect parked on Ferry Road, 1988. Edmonds Factory just visible in the background. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Shark mural at Climate Action Campus: Picturing Canterbury
Mural by Veronica Ek of a great white shark on the wall of a building at Climate Action Campus, Avonside. An image from Canterbury Stories.
21 Disraeli Street: Picturing Canterbury
Artwork on the exterior of Dight House (21 Disraeli Street), Addington, 2019. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Discover Canterbury: Top 10 spring activities
Maeve shares her top 10 things to do in Ōtautahi Christchurch during spring, with photos from Canterbury Stories.
Discover Canterbury: Did you know Isobell Steel?
We need your help. Do you know anything about local clothing designer Isobell Steel such as the location of her shop?
Discover Canterbury: 1981 Springbok Tour
Photos and imagery from the 1981 Springbok Tour protests in Christchurch.
QUIZ: Spring
Ah, spring – the season of pretty flowers and blossom, baby animals and sometimes extreme weather!
QUIZ: Chinese in Aotearoa New Zealand
This month's quiz highlights the history of Chinese people in Aotearoa New Zealand.
QUIZ: School holidays
Test yourself on some education and schooling facts in time for school holidays.
Quiz: On the road
Some local history questions about road safety, transport, and traffic.
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.
