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.
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.
Ancestry Library Edition
Trace your family history. Includes records from U.S., U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Access on library computers.
Tī Kōuka Whenua
Explore the vibrant past of Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region that extends back many hundreds of years before 1850.
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.
Ancestry Library Edition
Trace your family history. Includes records from U.S., U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Access on library computers.
Events
Featured
Exhibition: Tuakiri Investigates: Diaries and Letters Home, part of a series
Apr 21st, All day
Personal letters, diaries, photos, records & medals from our Archives. Read what the war was really like for local lads. On until 25 May.
Mountfort and the Canterbury Museum exhibition, part of a series
Explore the history of Benjamin Mountfort’s work at the Canterbury Museum in this Open Christchurch exhibition curated by Holly Neave.
Beginner's Guide to Local History (6 week programme)
May 8th | 10:00am - 12:00pm
Explore our collection - archives, maps, thousands of images, digitised diaries, book recommendations and more - 6 week course, $16.43 pp.
Exhibition: Tuakiri Investigates: Diaries and Letters Home, part of a series
Apr 21st, All day
Personal letters, diaries, photos, records & medals from our Archives. Read what the war was really like for local lads. On until 25 May.
Mountfort and the Canterbury Museum exhibition, part of a series
Explore the history of Benjamin Mountfort’s work at the Canterbury Museum in this Open Christchurch exhibition curated by Holly Neave.
Beginner's Guide to Local History (6 week programme)
May 8th | 10:00am - 12:00pm
Explore our collection - archives, maps, thousands of images, digitised diaries, book recommendations and more - 6 week course, $16.43 pp.
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.
Easter celebrations at Halswell Quarry Park
Prayers written nailed to the base of a Jesus on the Cross during Easter celebrations in 2015. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Victoria Park: Picturing Canterbury
What the entrance to Victoria Park looked like, 1919-1920. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Living on a raft for Telethon: Picturing Canterbury
Peter Sinclair living on a raft in Lake Victoria to raise money for Telethon, 26 June 1978. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Duke Paoa Kahanamoku memorial: Picturing Canterbury
Plaque and surfboard commemorating Duke Paoa Kahanamoku at New Brighton beach. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Easter celebrations at Halswell Quarry Park
Prayers written nailed to the base of a Jesus on the Cross during Easter celebrations in 2015. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Victoria Park: Picturing Canterbury
What the entrance to Victoria Park looked like, 1919-1920. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Living on a raft for Telethon: Picturing Canterbury
Peter Sinclair living on a raft in Lake Victoria to raise money for Telethon, 26 June 1978. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Duke Paoa Kahanamoku memorial: Picturing Canterbury
Plaque and surfboard commemorating Duke Paoa Kahanamoku at New Brighton beach. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Discover Canterbury: Water Fun
Splash into summer with this look back at people enjoying the water during New Zealand summers.
Discover Canterbury: Happy New Year!/Ngā mihi o te Tau Hou!
Some favourite photographs of Cantabrians and their baches from Canterbury Stories.
Discover Canterbury: ChristChurch Cathedral Christmas
Enjoy memories of Christmastime splendour as observed at Christchurch Cathedral over the years.
Discover Canterbury: Water Fun
Splash into summer with this look back at people enjoying the water during New Zealand summers.
Discover Canterbury: Happy New Year!/Ngā mihi o te Tau Hou!
Some favourite photographs of Cantabrians and their baches from Canterbury Stories.
Discover Canterbury: ChristChurch Cathedral Christmas
Enjoy memories of Christmastime splendour as observed at Christchurch Cathedral over the years.
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: 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: 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: Parihaka - The Canterbury Connection
Explore facts relating to the invasion of Parihaka, commemorated on 5 November every year, and Canterbury connections to this event.
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.
Mountfort and the Canterbury Museum exhibition, part of a series
Explore the history of Benjamin Mountfort’s work at the Canterbury Museum in this Open Christchurch exhibition curated by Holly Neave.
Easter celebrations at Halswell Quarry Park
Prayers written nailed to the base of a Jesus on the Cross during Easter celebrations in 2015. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Anzac Day 2025: Services and events in Christchurch
All our libraries are closed on Anzac Day. Find out about Anzac Day services, and explore our Anzac resources.
Victoria Park: Picturing Canterbury
What the entrance to Victoria Park looked like, 1919-1920. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Mountfort and the Canterbury Museum exhibition, part of a series
Explore the history of Benjamin Mountfort’s work at the Canterbury Museum in this Open Christchurch exhibition curated by Holly Neave.
Easter celebrations at Halswell Quarry Park
Prayers written nailed to the base of a Jesus on the Cross during Easter celebrations in 2015. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Anzac Day 2025: Services and events in Christchurch
All our libraries are closed on Anzac Day. Find out about Anzac Day services, and explore our Anzac resources.
Victoria Park: Picturing Canterbury
What the entrance to Victoria Park looked like, 1919-1920. An image from Canterbury Stories.