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.
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.
Ōtautahi Christchurch Central City Living History Walk
Christchurch City Council Archives & Christchurch City Libraries have launched the Ōtautahi Christchurch Central City Living History Walk.
Tī Kōuka Whenua
Explore the vibrant past of Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region that extends back many hundreds of years before 1850.
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.
Ōtautahi Christchurch Central City Living History Walk
Christchurch City Council Archives & Christchurch City Libraries have launched the Ōtautahi Christchurch Central City Living History Walk.
Most Popular in Canterbury Stories 2024
Discover the most popular images and collections in 2024!
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.
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.
Fanau at Christmas: Picturing Canterbury
Fanau at Christmas, 2019. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Tusken Raider in Santa Parade: Picturing Canterbury
A person dressed as a Tusken Raider in the Smiths City Santa Parade (2009) on Colombo Street. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Ski touring up a mountain: Picturing Canterbury
Two unidentified men making their way up a slope during a ski touring trip, 1950s. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Second birthday cake: Picturing Canterbury
A birthday cake made from the Australian Women’s Weekly children's birthday cake book, 1982. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Fanau at Christmas: Picturing Canterbury
Fanau at Christmas, 2019. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Tusken Raider in Santa Parade: Picturing Canterbury
A person dressed as a Tusken Raider in the Smiths City Santa Parade (2009) on Colombo Street. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Ski touring up a mountain: Picturing Canterbury
Two unidentified men making their way up a slope during a ski touring trip, 1950s. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Second birthday cake: Picturing Canterbury
A birthday cake made from the Australian Women’s Weekly children's birthday cake book, 1982. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Do you know these students at Rehua Marae?
Can you help us to identify any of these students from the University of Canterbury listening to Reverend Maurice Gray in 1989?
Discover Canterbury: Ballantynes' Fire
On 18 November 1947 a fire broke out at Ballantynes department store. 41 people lost their lives.
Discover Canterbury: Millbrook Reserve - a hidden gem
Explore 1920s images from the opening of Millbrook Reserve, located just over the river from Little Hagley Park.
Do you know these students at Rehua Marae?
Can you help us to identify any of these students from the University of Canterbury listening to Reverend Maurice Gray in 1989?
Discover Canterbury: Ballantynes' Fire
On 18 November 1947 a fire broke out at Ballantynes department store. 41 people lost their lives.
Discover Canterbury: Millbrook Reserve - a hidden gem
Explore 1920s images from the opening of Millbrook Reserve, located just over the river from Little Hagley Park.
Quiz: Christmas questions
This month’s quiz is dedicated to the celebration of Christmas in Ōtautahi Christchurch!
QUIZ: Parihaka - The Canterbury Connection
Explore facts relating to the invasion of Parihaka, commemorated on 5 November every year, and Canterbury connections to this event.
QUIZ: Active Heritage - Sports, Recreation and Leisure
Test your knowledge of local sporting and leisure facts of an bygone era in our active heritage quiz.
QUIZ: Spring
Ah, spring – the season of pretty flowers and blossom, baby animals and sometimes extreme weather!
Quiz: Christmas questions
This month’s quiz is dedicated to the celebration of Christmas in Ōtautahi Christchurch!
QUIZ: Parihaka - The Canterbury Connection
Explore facts relating to the invasion of Parihaka, commemorated on 5 November every year, and Canterbury connections to this event.
QUIZ: Active Heritage - Sports, Recreation and Leisure
Test your knowledge of local sporting and leisure facts of an bygone era in our active heritage quiz.
QUIZ: Spring
Ah, spring – the season of pretty flowers and blossom, baby animals and sometimes extreme weather!
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.
