Local History
Explore local history - the people and places of Ōtautahi.
Featured
Christchurch Streets and Places
Discover the history and origins of Ōtautahi streets. NEW: the map now connects to Canterbury Stories images of 1,400 Christchurch streets.
Christchurch Streets and Places
Discover the history and origins of Ōtautahi streets. NEW: the map now connects to Canterbury Stories images of 1,400 Christchurch streets.
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.
Jigger board tree event: Picturing Canterbury
Competitors in a jigger board tree wood chopping event at the Canterbury A & P Show, 2008. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Madam Butterfly's Vintage Style Boutique
Interior of vintage clothing store, Madam Butterfly's Vintage Style Boutique, 477 Ferry Road. 2019. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Central city block, sheet no. 9: Picturing Canterbury
Council of Fire and Accident Underwriters Associations of NZ 1933 plan showing buildings and business. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Unsold books: Picturing Canterbury
Piles of books left for years in a former bookstore on the ground floor of the IRD building, 2019. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Jigger board tree event: Picturing Canterbury
Competitors in a jigger board tree wood chopping event at the Canterbury A & P Show, 2008. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Madam Butterfly's Vintage Style Boutique
Interior of vintage clothing store, Madam Butterfly's Vintage Style Boutique, 477 Ferry Road. 2019. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Central city block, sheet no. 9: Picturing Canterbury
Council of Fire and Accident Underwriters Associations of NZ 1933 plan showing buildings and business. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Unsold books: Picturing Canterbury
Piles of books left for years in a former bookstore on the ground floor of the IRD building, 2019. An image from Canterbury Stories.
QUIZ: Christchurch in the Nineties
Do you remember Christchurch in the 1990s? Test your knowledge, or your memory, of this iconic decade.
QUIZ: Christchurch Photo Hunt
Can you answer 10 local history questions that correspond to previous Photo Hunt images?
QUIZ: Nature city
Time to get out and about in the city’s natural spaces - can you answer these quiz questions about parks, reserves and gardens in our city?
QUIZ: Local people and personalities
Test your knowledge of local personalities and places of Ōtautahi Christchurch in our quiz. How many can you get right?
QUIZ: Christchurch in the Nineties
Do you remember Christchurch in the 1990s? Test your knowledge, or your memory, of this iconic decade.
QUIZ: Christchurch Photo Hunt
Can you answer 10 local history questions that correspond to previous Photo Hunt images?
QUIZ: Nature city
Time to get out and about in the city’s natural spaces - can you answer these quiz questions about parks, reserves and gardens in our city?
QUIZ: Local people and personalities
Test your knowledge of local personalities and places of Ōtautahi Christchurch in our quiz. How many can you get right?
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.
134 years of The Press online: Papers Past now goes to 1995
Fans of news, information, local history, and all things Ōtautahi Christchurch! The Press on Papers Past now goes from 1861 to 1995.
Jigger board tree event: Picturing Canterbury
Competitors in a jigger board tree wood chopping event at the Canterbury A & P Show, 2008. An image from Canterbury Stories.
New Zealand Cup and Show Week
Explore the history of Cup and Show Week. Tūranga is open Show Day Friday 14 November 10am to 5pm. All other libraries are closed.
134 years of The Press online: Papers Past now goes to 1995
Fans of news, information, local history, and all things Ōtautahi Christchurch! The Press on Papers Past now goes from 1861 to 1995.
Jigger board tree event: Picturing Canterbury
Competitors in a jigger board tree wood chopping event at the Canterbury A & P Show, 2008. An image from Canterbury Stories.
New Zealand Cup and Show Week
Explore the history of Cup and Show Week. Tūranga is open Show Day Friday 14 November 10am to 5pm. All other libraries are closed.