:Christchurch

The name Christchurch was adopted at the first meeting of the Canterbury Association on 27 March 1848. The reason it was chosen is not known with certainty, but the most likely reason is it was named after Christ Church, Oxford, the alma mater of many members of the association, including John Robert Godley.{{DNZB|last=Hensley|first=Gerald|id=1g12|title=Godley, John Robert|access-date=27 April 2024 }} Christ Church college had similarities with the planned new city, including its own cathedral, the smallest in England.{{Citation |last1=Cowie |first1=D. J. |title=How Christchurch Got Its Name – A Controverted Subject |work=The New Zealand Railways Magazine |volume=9 |issue=4 |date=2 July 1934 |url=http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Gov09_04Rail-t1-body-d14.html |via=New Zealand Electronic Text Collection |access-date=22 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610182504/http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Gov09_04Rail-t1-body-d14.html |archive-date=10 June 2017 |url-status=live }} Other possibilities are that it was named for Christchurch, Dorset, or for Canterbury Cathedral. Many of the early colonists did not like the name, preferring instead the name Lyttelton, but the Colonists' Council resolved to stick with the name of Christchurch in 1851, because it had been used by surveyors and distinguished the settlement from the port.{{sfn|Rice|2008|p=18}}

The Māori name for modern-day Christchurch is {{lang|mi|Ōtautahi}}, meaning {{gloss|the place of Tautahi}}. It was adopted as the Māori name for the city in the 1930s. Ōtautahi precisely refers to a specific site by the Avon River / Ōtākaro in Central Christchurch.{{Cite web |title=Ōtautahi – Christchurch |url=https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/ti-kouka-whenua/otautahi/ |publisher=Christchurch City Libraries |access-date=15 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101022827/http://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/ti-kouka-whenua/otautahi/ |archive-date=1 November 2016 |url-status=live }}{{cite book |last=Taylor |first=William Anderson |title=Lore and History of the South Island Maori |year=1952 |publisher=Bascands Ltd |location=Christchurch |url=https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-TayLore-t1-body1-d5.html |access-date=26 April 2024 |page=55 |chapter=Otautahi – Christchurch and its district |archive-date=9 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230809052204/https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-TayLore-t1-body1-d5.html |url-status=live }} The site was a seasonal food-gathering place of Ngāi Tahu chief Te Pōtiki Tautahi. A different account claims the Tautahi in question was the son of the Port Levy chief Huikai.{{Cite book |title=Te Whakatau Kaupapa: Ngāi Tahu Resource Management Strategy for the Canterbury Region |last=Tau |first=Te Maire |publisher=Aoraki Press |year=1990 |pages=5–21 }}{{Cite news |last=Gates |first=Charlie |date=18 September 2020 |title=Ōtautahi – the story behind Christchurch's informal te reo name |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/te-reo-maori/122813289/tautahi--the-story-behind-christchurchs-informal-te-reo-name |access-date=13 October 2023 |work=Stuff |language=en |archive-date=4 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104040819/https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/te-reo-maori/122813289/tautahi--the-story-behind-christchurchs-informal-te-reo-name |url-status=live }} Prior to that, Ngāi Tahu generally referred to the Christchurch area as {{lang|mi|Karaitiana}}, a transcription of Christchurch in the Māori language.{{cite book |last=Taylor |first=William Anderson |title=Lore and History of the South Island Maori |year=1952 |publisher=Bascands Ltd |location=Christchurch |url=https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-TayLore-t1-body1-d5.html |access-date=26 April 2024 |page=48 |chapter=Otautahi – Christchurch and its district |archive-date=9 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230809052204/https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-TayLore-t1-body1-d5.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=An argument for changing Christchurch's name |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/atea/14-05-2019/an-argument-for-changing-christchurchs-name |last=Rehu |first=Mike |date=14 May 2019 |access-date=23 April 2024 |work=The Spinoff |archive-date=23 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423070005/https://thespinoff.co.nz/atea/14-05-2019/an-argument-for-changing-christchurchs-name |url-status=live }}[http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/tikoukawhenua/otautahi/ Ōtautahi] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725065207/http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/tikoukawhenua/otautahi/ |date=25 July 2011}} (from the Christchurch City Library website)

"ChCh" is commonly used as an abbreviation of Christchurch.{{Cite web |title=Cycle Chch |url=https://ccc.govt.nz/transport/cycling/ |access-date=7 February 2022 |website=Christchurch City Council |language=en |archive-date=7 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207221740/https://ccc.govt.nz/transport/cycling/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=CHCH Central |url=https://chchcentral.co.nz/ |access-date=7 February 2022 |website=CHCH Central |archive-date=7 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207221731/https://chchcentral.co.nz/ |url-status=live }} In New Zealand Sign Language, Christchurch is signed with two Cs.{{Cite web |title=Christchurch – NZSL Online |url=https://www.nzsl.nz/signs/4214 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307044311/https://www.nzsl.nz/signs/4214 |archive-date=7 March 2022 |access-date=7 March 2022 |website=New Zealand Sign Language dictionary |url-status=live }}

{{Main|History of Christchurch}}

File:Maori Village 1848.png with the surveyors Capt. Thomas, Heaphy, White and Torlesse on the left (sketched by William Fox in 1848).]]

Prior to European occupation of the modern-day greater Christchurch area, the land was originally swampland with patchworks of marshland, grassland, scrub and some patches of tall forest of mostly kahikatea, mataī and tōtara.{{cite book |title=Settling near the Styx River |language=en |publisher=D A & H J Hills |isbn=9780473111342 |location=Christchurch, New Zealand |type=book |first1=Darren |last1=Hills |first2=Helen |last2=Hills |date=2006 |url=https://archive.org/details/hills-river-styx |pages=4, 180 }} The inner coastal sand dunes were covered in hardier scrub bush, including akeake, taupata, tūmatakuru, ngaio, carmichaelia, and coprosma. Christchurch was rich in birdlife prior to European colonisation, as they burned down forests and introduced predators, it led to local extinction of native birds.{{sfn|Wilson|2005|pp=9–10}}{{Cite news |title=How Christchurch lost its tūī, and how to bring them back |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/126048008/how-christchurch-lost-its-t-and-how-to-bring-them-back |last=Allot |first=Amber |date=4 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303052029/https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/126048008/how-christchurch-lost-its-t-and-how-to-bring-them-back |archive-date=3 March 2022 |access-date=26 April 2024 |url-status=live |work=Stuff }}

Evidence of human activity in the area begins in approximately 1250 AD,{{citation |title=A new chronology for the Māori settlement of Aotearoa (NZ) and the potential role of climate change in demographic developments |language=en |journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |publisher=National Academy of Sciences |doi=10.1073/pnas.2207609119 |volume=119 |issue=46 |first1=Magdalena |last1=Bunbury |date=7 November 2022 |first2=Fiona |last2=Petchey |first3=Simon |last3=Bickler |pages=e2207609119 |doi-access=free |pmid=36343229 |quote=Figure 3 |pmc=9674228 |bibcode=2022PNAS..11907609B }} with evidence of prolonged occupation beginning no later than 1350 AD.{{citation |title=Excavations and chronology at the Redcliffs Flat site, Canterbury, New Zealand |language=en |work=Records of the Canterbury Museum |last=Jacomb |first=C |date=2009 |place=Christchurch |volume=23 |pages=15–30 |issn=0370-3878 }} These first occupants lived in coastal caves around modern-day Sumner, and preyed upon local species of moa.{{citation |title=The chronology of Moncks Cave, Canterbury, New Zealand |language=en |work=Records of the Canterbury Museum |last=Jacomb |first=C |date=2008 |place=Christchurch |volume=22 |pages=45–56 |issn=0370-3878 }}{{citation |title=Moncks Cave |language=en |work=Heritage New Zealand |access-date=16 April 2024 |url=https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/9067/Listing |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222164103/https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/9067/Listing |archive-date=22 December 2023 |url-status=live }} The early settlers and their descendants became known as the historic Waitaha Māori iwi.{{citation |title=The Ngai Tahu Report 1991 |date=1991 |volume=2 |type=report |url=https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/WT/wt_DOC_160762198/Ngai%20Tahu%20Report%201991%20V2W.pdf |access-date=17 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126071053/https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/WT/wt_DOC_160762198/Ngai%20Tahu%20Report%201991%20V2W.pdf |archive-date=26 January 2022 |url-status=live |publication-place=Wellington |publisher=GP Publications |id=WAI 27 |quote=Sections 3.1.2, 3.1.3 and 3.1.4}} Around {{circa|1500}} the Kāti Māmoe iwi migrated south from the east coast of the North Island and invaded the Christchurch basin, ultimately gaining control of much of Canterbury. Kāi Tahu arrived a century later, and the two ultimately absorbed Waitaha through a mixture of conflict and marriage.{{sfn|Rice|2008|pp=9–10}}

Most of the Māori settlement was along the coast.{{cite journal |last=Ravilious |first=Kate |title=New Zealand's First City, Uncovered |journal=Archaeology |publisher=Archaeological Institute of America |volume=71 |issue=1 |year=2018 |issn=0003-8113 |jstor=26348960 |pages=38–43 |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/26348960 |access-date=6 December 2024}} Other areas of Christchurch were also important foraging grounds and a seasonal settlement.{{sfn|Wilson|2005|p=18}} Several Māori settlements were within Christchurch during the early-nineteenth century, such as Pūtarikamotu in modern-day Riccarton,{{efn|Often spelled "Pūtaringamotu" or uncommonly, "Potoringamotu".{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Deans, John and Deans, William |encyclopedia=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |last=M. Miller |first=Graham |year=2010 |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1d7/deans-john |access-date=27 April 2024 |archive-date=13 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113095013/https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1d7/deans-john |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=Riccarton Bush enhancements could start next year |url=https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/350115256/riccarton-bush-enhancements-could-start-next-year |last=Harvie |first=Will |date=23 November 2023 |access-date=27 April 2024 |work=The Press |archive-date=29 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429001814/https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/350115256/riccarton-bush-enhancements-could-start-next-year |url-status=live }} The spelling with the Kāi Tahu dialect remains the primary Māori spelling.}}{{citation |title=Pūtarikamotu / "Deans Bush" |language=en |work=Ngāi Tahu Atlas |access-date=22 April 2024 |url=https://kahurumanu.co.nz/atlas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130162628/https://kahurumanu.co.nz/atlas |archive-date=30 November 2023 |publisher=Ngāi Tahu |url-status=live }}{{citation |title=The place of an echo: Pūtaringamotu (Deans Bush) |language=en |work=EnviroHistory NZ |date=21 June 2010 |access-date=16 April 2024 |url=https://envirohistorynz.com/2010/06/21/the-place-of-an-echo-putaringamotu-deans-bush/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627034126/https://envirohistorynz.com/2010/06/21/the-place-of-an-echo-putaringamotu-deans-bush/ |archive-date=27 June 2023 |url-status=live }} and Papanui.{{sfn|Rice|2008|pp=9–10}} In both cases these were located in areas of surviving tall forest.{{sfn|Rice|2008|pp=9–10}} In South New Brighton there was a major Māori settlement named Te Kai-a-Te-Karoro, this was an important food-gathering area to Ngāi Tūāhuriri that had kelp gull presence and mānuka scrub.{{Cite news |title=Te Whakatau Kaupapa: Ngai Tahu resource management strategy for the Canterbury Region. |last1=Tau |first1=T.M |pages=5–24 |work=Aoraki Press |last2=Goodall |first2=A. |year=1990 |publication-place=Wellington, New Zealand |last3=Palmer |first3=D. }}{{Cite news |title=Maori place names of Canterbury: including one thousand hitherto unpublished names collected from Maori sources |last=James Herries |first=Beattie |pages=100 |work=Otago Daily Times |year=1945 |location=Dunedin, New Zealand |author-link=Herries Beattie }} Te Ihutai (The Avon Heathcote Estuary) was an important food source for local iwi and hapū, the estuary providing food such as, flounder and shellfish.{{Cite book |last=Owen |first=S-J. |title=The Estuary: Where our rivers meet the sea: Christchurch's Avon-Heathcote Estuary and Brooklands Lagoon. |publisher=Parks Unit, Christchurch City Council |year=1992 |location=Christchurch, New Zealand |page=12 }}{{Cite news |title=Maori place names of Canterbury: including one thousand hitherto unpublished names collected from Maori sources |last=J.H. |first=Beattie |pages=98–99 |work=The Otago Daily Times |year=1945 |location=Dunedin, New Zealand |author-link=Herries Beattie }} Kaiapoi Pā was the most important trading area, and the centre of a thriving economy. The pā was located at the nexus of the major rivers of Christchurch, the Avon River / Ōtākaro, Ōpāwaho / Heathcote River and the Styx River. It was likely the richest eel fishery in the country at that time.{{sfn|Evison|1993|pp=6, 201, 153}} Sugar was produced from plantations of cabbage trees.{{sfn|Evison|1993|pp=6, 201, 153}}

File:John Deans (pioneer).jpg and his family were some of the early settlers in Christchurch, they settled in Riccarton Bush.]]

European settlement of the Canterbury region was largely influenced by brothers William and John Deans in 1843.{{sfn|Rice|2008|p=11}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.riccartonhouse.co.nz/deans_cottage/ |title=Deans cottage web site |publisher=Riccartonhouse.co.nz |access-date=23 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724194344/http://www.riccartonhouse.co.nz/deans_cottage/ |archive-date=24 July 2011 |url-status=dead }} The Deans farm located in Riccarton Bush was a crucial factor in the decision of where to place the settlement of Christchurch, as it proved that the swampy ground could be farmed.{{sfn|Rice|2008|p=11}} The Deans brothers named their farm after their former parish in Ayrshire, Scotland; they also named the river near their farm after the Avon Water in South Lanarkshire, which rises in the hills near to where their grandfather's farm was located.A History of Canterbury, Vol. 1 – Sir James Hight & Straubel, C.R.; Canterbury Centennial Association and Whitcombe and Tombs, Christchurch 1957, p. 121.{{sfn|Rice|2008|p=12}}

The Canterbury Association's Chief Surveyor, Captain Joseph Thomas, surveyed the area in 1849 and 1850. Working with his assistant, Edward Jollie, they named the various ports and settlements in the area, and chose a simple grid pattern for the streets of Christchurch.{{sfn|Rice|2008|p=15}}{{Cite news |title=Rebuild echoes original plans |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch-earthquake-2011/7502432/Rebuild-echoes-original-plans |date=20 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120822233250/http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch-earthquake-2011/7502432/Rebuild-echoes-original-plans |archive-date=22 August 2012 |access-date=26 April 2024 |url-status=live |work=The Press }} The First Four Ships were chartered by the Canterbury Association and brought the Canterbury Pilgrims to Lyttelton Harbour in 1850.{{efn|Lyttelton Harbour was known as Port Cooper when the four ships arrived. This name is no longer in common use.{{Cite news |title=The legacy of Canterbury's 'first four ships' continues 170 years on |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/123745742/the-legacy-of-canterburys-first-four-ships-continues-170-years-on |last=Kenny |first=Lee |date=19 December 2020 |access-date=25 April 2024 |work=Stuff |archive-date=25 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425102738/https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/123745742/the-legacy-of-canterburys-first-four-ships-continues-170-years-on |url-status=live }} Since 1998 it has been gazetted with a dual English-Māori name, Lyttelton Harbour / Whakaraupō.{{LINZ|7354 |Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō |access-date=25 April 2024 }}}} These sailing vessels were the Randolph, Charlotte Jane, {{ship||Sir George Seymour|1844 ship|2}}, and Cressy.{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Canterbury region – Discovery and settlement |encyclopedia=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |last=Wilson |first=John |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/10317/remembering-the-first-four-ships |access-date=24 April 2024 |date=6 July 2015 |archive-date=24 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424013745/https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/10317/remembering-the-first-four-ships |url-status=live }} The journey took three to four months, and the Charlotte Jane was the first to arrive on 16 December 1850.{{Cite news |title=Arrival of 'pilgrims' on Canterbury's First Four Ships celebrated in Christchurch |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/130790571/arrival-of-pilgrims-on-canterburys-first-four-ships-celebrated-in-christchurch |last=Kenny |first=Lee |date=6 December 2022 |access-date=24 April 2024 |work=Stuff |archive-date=24 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424013737/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/130790571/arrival-of-pilgrims-on-canterburys-first-four-ships-celebrated-in-christchurch |url-status=live }} The Canterbury Pilgrims had aspirations of building a city around a cathedral and college, on the model of Christ Church in Oxford.[http://www.christchurchcathedral.co.nz/discover/cathedral_history.html Cathedral History] (from the official ChristChurch Cathedral website). {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017103748/http://christchurchcathedral.co.nz/discover/cathedral_history.html |date=17 October 2007 }}{{Cite news |title=Historic architectural links bind Christchurch and Oxford's cathedrals |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/business/the-rebuild/89542869/historic-architectural-links-bind-christchurch-and-oxfords-cathedrals |last=Focamp |first=Paul |date=21 February 2017 |access-date=26 April 2024 |work=Stuff |archive-date=25 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425134536/https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/business/the-rebuild/89542869/historic-architectural-links-bind-christchurch-and-oxfords-cathedrals |url-status=live }}

Transport between the port and the new settlement at Christchurch was a major problem for the early settlers. By December 1849, Thomas had commissioned the construction of a road from Port Cooper, later Lyttelton, to Christchurch via Evans Pass and Sumner.{{Cite web |url=http://library.christchurch.org.nz/Heritage/EarlyChristchurch/JosephThomas.asp |title=Captain Thomas and the Streets of Christchurch |publisher=Christchurch City Libraries |access-date=14 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080829232049/http://library.christchurch.org.nz/Heritage/EarlyChristchurch/JosephThomas.asp |archive-date=29 August 2008 |url-status=live }}{{sfn|Rice|2008|p=14}}{{sfn|Ogilvie|2009|pp=32–34}}{{sfn|Wilson|2005|p=28}} By the time that John Robert Godley arrived in April 1850, all of the funds for public works had been used up in constructing the road.{{sfn|Rice|2008|p=14}}{{sfn|Ogilvie|2009|pp=32–34}}{{sfn|Wilson|2005|p=28}} Godley ordered that all work on the road should stop, leaving the steep foot and pack horse track that had been hastily constructed over the hill between the port and the Heathcote valley as the only land-access to the area of Christchurch.{{sfn|Ogilvie|2009|pp=32–34}} This track became known as the Bridle Path because the path was so steep that pack horses needed to be led by the bridle.{{citation |work=Christchurch Street Names: B |publisher=Christchurch City Libraries |date=February 2016 |page=129 |title=Bridle Path |url=https://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Heritage/PlaceNames/ChristchurchStreetNames-B.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217141323/https://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Heritage/PlaceNames/ChristchurchStreetNames-B.pdf |archive-date=17 December 2023 |access-date=22 April 2024 |url-status=live }} Goods that were too heavy or bulky to be transported by pack horse over the Bridle Path were shipped by small sailing vessels some {{convert|13|km}} by sea around the coast and up the Avon Heathcote Estuary to Ferrymead.{{sfn|Rice|2008|p=17}}{{sfn|Wilson|2005|p=28}} Overturned boats at the Sumner bar were a frequent cause of new arrivals to the colony losing all their luggage.{{sfn|Rice|2008|p=27}} The Sumner Road was completed in 1857, though this did not alleviate the transport problems.{{sfn|Rice|2008|p=28}} In 1858 the provincial superintendent William Sefton Moorhouse announced that a tunnel would be dug between Lyttelton and Christchurch.{{sfn|Rice|2008|p=28}}{{sfn|Ogilvie|2009|p=36}} While the tunnel was under construction, New Zealand's first public railway line, the Ferrymead Railway, opened from Ferrymead to Christchurch in 1863.{{sfn|Rice|2008|p=29}}{{cite book |title=New Zealand Railway and Tramway Atlas |year=1985 |publisher=Quail Map Company |edition=Third |isbn=090060932X |page=19 |first=John |last=Yonge }}

File:Christchurch Cathedral 1900.jpg, with its gothic-style architecture]]

Between 1853 and 1876, Christchurch was the administrative seat of the Province of Canterbury.{{sfn|Rice|2008|p=24}} While slow at first, growth in the town began to accelerate towards the end of the 1850s, with a period of rapid growth between 1857 and 1864.{{sfn|Rice|2008|p=31}} Christchurch became the first city in New Zealand by royal charter on 31 July 1856, and Henry Harper was consecrated by the archbishop of Canterbury as the local Anglican bishop. He arrived in Christchurch a few months later in December 1856.{{sfn|Rice|2008|p=26}}{{citation |title=Harper, Henry John Chitty |language=en |first=Colin |last=Brown |work=Dictionary of New Zealand Biography |date=1990 |via=Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand |access-date=22 April 2024 |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1h8/harper-henry-john-chitty |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003035037/https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1h8/harper-henry-john-chitty |archive-date=3 October 2023 |url-status=live }} In 1862 the Christchurch City Council was established.{{sfn|Rice|2008|p=25}}{{citation |title=Council History: Chronology |language=en |work=Christchurch City Council |access-date=22 April 2024 |url=https://ccc.govt.nz/the-council/how-the-council-works/council-history/chronology/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216104727/https://ccc.govt.nz/the-council/how-the-council-works/council-history/chronology/ |archive-date=16 December 2023 |url-status=live }} By 1874, Christchurch was New Zealand's fourth-largest city with a population of 14,270 residents.{{Cite book |last=King |first=Michael |title=The Penguin History of New Zealand |publisher=Penguin |year=2003 |pages=209 }} Between 1871 and 1876 nearly 20,000 immigrants arrived in Canterbury,{{sfn|Rice|2008|p=38}} and through the 1880s frozen meat joined wool as a primary export.{{sfn|Rice|2008|p=49}} The last decades of the nineteenth-century were a period of significant growth for the city, despite the national economic depression.{{sfn|Rice|2008|p=46}} Many of the city's stone Gothic Revival buildings by provincial architect Benjamin Mountfort date from around this period, including Canterbury University College,{{citation |title=Arts Centre of Christchurch |language=en |work=Heritage New Zealand |access-date=22 April 2024 |url=https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/7301/Arts%20Centre%20of%20Christchurch |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309234047/https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/7301/Arts%20Centre%20of%20Christchurch |archive-date=9 March 2023 |url-status=live }} ChristChurch Cathedral,{{citation |title=Cathedral of Christ (Anglican) |language=en |work=Heritage New Zealand |access-date=22 April 2024 |url=https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/46/Cathedral%20Church%20of%20Christ%20(Anglican) |archive-date=22 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422095229/https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/46/Cathedral%20Church%20of%20Christ%20(Anglican) |url-status=live }} Canterbury Museum,{{citation |title=Canterbury Museum |language=en |work=Heritage New Zealand |access-date=22 April 2024 |url=https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/290/Canterbury%20Museum%20(19th%20century%20portion) |archive-date=29 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429001813/https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/290/Canterbury%20Museum%20(19th%20century%20portion) |url-status=live }} and the Canterbury Provincial Council Buildings,{{citation |title=Canterbury Provincial Government Buildings |language=en |work=Heritage New Zealand |access-date=22 April 2024 |url=https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/45/Canterbury%20Provincial%20Government%20Buildings |archive-date=22 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422095225/https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/45/Canterbury%20Provincial%20Government%20Buildings |url-status=live }} among others. Mountfort oversaw construction of a prison on Lincon Road in 1874, which operated until 1999.{{Cite news |title=Go to jail |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/go-to-jail/PRAKRGMQW42OXYXD7TVBNZTYWU/ |last=Ramsay |first=Heather |date=4 September 2006 |access-date=24 April 2024 |work=The New Zealand Herald |archive-date=24 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424100338/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/go-to-jail/PRAKRGMQW42OXYXD7TVBNZTYWU/ |url-status=live }}

Christchurch experienced a number of minor natural disasters during this period. Heavy rain caused the Waimakariri River to flood Christchurch in February 1868.{{sfn|Rice|2008|pp=35–36}}{{sfn|Wilson|2005|p=13}} Victoria Square (known as Market Place at the time) was left underwater with "the whole left side of the [Avon] river from Montreal-street bridge to Worcester street was all one lake, as deep as up to a horse's belly".{{Cite news |last=Matthews |first=Philip |date=8 January 2021 |title=1868: A great flood in Christchurch |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/123897635/1868-a-great-flood-in-christchurch |access-date=16 February 2023 |work=Stuff |language=en |archive-date=16 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216014908/https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/123897635/1868-a-great-flood-in-christchurch |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://hwe.niwa.co.nz/event/February_1868_New_Zealand_Storm |title=February 1868 New Zealand Storm (1868-02-01) |access-date=16 February 2023 |website=hwe.niwa.co.nz |archive-date=16 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216014912/https://hwe.niwa.co.nz/event/February_1868_New_Zealand_Storm |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=3 February 1868 |title=Great Storm Flooded Christchurch – 4th February 1868 |url=https://www.peelingbackhistory.co.nz/great-storm-flooded-christchurch-4th-february-1868/ |access-date=16 February 2023 |website=Discover The Delights Of Peeling Back History |language=en-US |archive-date=16 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216014911/https://www.peelingbackhistory.co.nz/great-storm-flooded-christchurch-4th-february-1868/ |url-status=live }} Christchurch buildings were damaged by earthquakes in 1869, 1881 and 1888.{{Cite web |url=https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/christchurch-and-canterbury-earthquakes/ |title=Christchurch and Canterbury earthquakes |website=my.christchurchcitylibraries.com |language=en-NZ |access-date=23 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223121335/https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/christchurch-and-canterbury-earthquakes/ |archive-date=23 December 2018 |url-status=live }} The 1888 earthquake caused the highest 7.8 metres of the Christchurch Cathedral spire to collapse, many chimneys were broken, and the Durham Street Methodist Church had its stonework damaged.{{Cite web |title=Major New Zealand earthquakes since 1855 – New Zealand Parliament |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/research-papers/document/00PLEcoRP2016031/major-new-zealand-earthquakes-since-1855 |access-date=5 June 2021 |website=www.parliament.nz |language=en |archive-date=5 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605042930/https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/research-papers/document/00PLEcoRP2016031/major-new-zealand-earthquakes-since-1855 |url-status=live }}{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Historic earthquakes – The 1888 North Canterbury earthquake |encyclopedia=Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |last=McSaveney |first=Eileen |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/historic-earthquakes/page-4 |access-date=23 April 2024 |date=12 June 2016 |archive-date=22 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130822074916/http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/historic-earthquakes/page-4 |url-status=live }} In November 1901, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake, centred near Cheviot, caused the spire on top of ChristChurch Cathedral to collapse again, but this time only the top 1.5 metres fell. On this occasion, it was rebuilt with timber and metal instead of stone.{{Cite news |title=Cathedral no stranger to quake damage |last=Hurst |first=Daniel |date=22 February 2011 |url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/cathedral-no-stranger-to-quake-damage-20110222-1b3lk.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405154700/http://www.smh.com.au/world/cathedral-no-stranger-to-quake-damage-20110222-1b3lk.html |archive-date=5 April 2016 |access-date=24 April 2024 |url-status=live |url-access=registration |work=The Sydney Morning Herald }}

File:Aerial_photograph_of_Christchurch,_1918.jpg in January 1918]]

The Catholic Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament was opened in February 1905.{{sfn|Rice|2008|p=66}}{{citation |author= |title=The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament |work=Christchurch City Libraries |url=https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/cathedral-of-the-blessed-sacrament/ |access-date=23 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204170648/https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/cathedral-of-the-blessed-sacrament/ |archive-date=4 December 2023 |url-status=live |language=en }} It was designed by Francis Petre with inspiration from the Saint-Vincent-de-Paul in Paris.{{Cite encyclopedia |year=1993 |title=Petre, Francis William |encyclopedia=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/2p13/petre-francis-william |access-date=26 April 2024 |last=J. Lochhead |first=Ian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180128131805/https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/2p13/petre-francis-william |archive-date=28 January 2018 |url-status=live }} In 1906, the New Zealand International Exhibition opened in Hagley Park, which had over a million visitors.{{Cite web |title=Christchurch Chronology 1906 – Heritage – Christchurch City Libraries |url=https://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Heritage/Chronology/Year/1906.asp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222035024/https://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Heritage/Chronology/Year/1906.asp |archive-date=22 February 2021 |access-date=5 June 2021 |website=christchurchcitylibraries.com |publisher=Christchurch City Libraries |language=en }} In 1908, the city experienced its first major fire which started at the Strange's Department Store and destroyed buildings in central Christchurch on High St, Cashel St and Lichfield Streets.{{Cite web |author=Christchurch City Libraries |title=Christchurch Chronology 1908 – Heritage – Christchurch City Libraries |url=https://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Heritage/Chronology/Year/1908.asp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222035028/https://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Heritage/Chronology/Year/1908.asp |archive-date=22 February 2021 |access-date=5 June 2021 |website=christchurchcitylibraries.com |language=en }}

Christchurch was heavily industrialised in the early 20th century, particularly the suburbs of Woolston and Addington, with Woolston housing a large amount of New Zealand's rubber industry. Many warehouses, factories and large premises of railway workshops were built along the Main South Line.{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Canterbury places – South Christchurch |encyclopedia=Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |last=Wilson |first=John |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/mi/canterbury-places/page-11 |access-date=24 April 2024 |date=14 September 2006 |archive-date=24 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424100912/https://teara.govt.nz/mi/canterbury-places/page-11 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=Addington the 'most interesting part' of Christchurch, historian says |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/105964249/addington-the-most-interesting-part-of-christchurch-historian-says |last=Fletcher |first=Jack |date=3 August 2018 |access-date=24 April 2024 |work=Stuff |archive-date=24 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424114532/https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/105964249/addington-the-most-interesting-part-of-christchurch-historian-says |url-status=live }} There was notable development of breweries, flour mills, and light-commercial in Christchurch.{{Cite news |title=Our beer, no longer here |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/8127694/Our-beer-no-longer-here |last=Cole |first=Charles |date=29 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106060149/https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/8127694/Our-beer-no-longer-here |archive-date=6 January 2019 |access-date=25 April 2024 |url-status=live |work=Stuff }}{{sfn|Wilson|2005|p=74}} This significantly increased the population of workers in the city, which soon spread industrialisation to Sydenham.{{sfn|Wilson|2005|pp=33–34}} As central Christchurch grew, many cottages were demolished to make way for light-industrial and retail premises near Moorhouse Avenue as they expanded south. Many churches were also built to compensate for its growing Christian population.{{sfn|Wilson|2005|pp=205–210}} The population of Christchurch exceeded 100,000 for the first time in 1919.{{Cite web |author=Christchurch City Libraries |title=Christchurch Chronology 1919 – Heritage – Christchurch City Libraries |url=https://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Heritage/Chronology/Year/1919.asp |access-date=5 June 2021 |website=christchurchcitylibraries.com |language=en |archive-date=22 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222035122/https://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Heritage/Chronology/Year/1919.asp |url-status=live }}

File:GPO Christchurch 1942 SLNSW FL19165553.jpg

Despite the central city remaining relatively unchanged between 1914 and 1960,{{sfn|Wilson|2005|p=86}} Christchurch grew rapidly during the 20th century, in part due to the construction of many state houses. The earliest state houses were built in Sydenham in the 1900s, to house workers that were employed in nearby factories, with more houses built in 1909 near the Addington Railway Workshops.{{Cite web |url=https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/state-housing/ |title=State Housing Christchurch City Libraries |access-date=25 April 2024 |website=Christchurch City Libraries |archive-date=24 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424115905/https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/state-housing/ |url-status=live }} Part of this period of growth included the annexation of surrounding municipalities — in 1903 the boroughs of Linwood, St Albans, and Sydenham were annexed into Christchurch City.{{cite book | last=Bloomfield | first=Gerald Taylor | title=The Evolution of Local Government Areas in Metropolitan Auckland, 1840-1971 | publisher=[Auckland] : Auckland University Press | publication-place=Auckland | date=1973 | isbn=0-19-647714-X | page=10}} In 1921, two more boroughs were annexed: Spreydon and Woolston. In 1941, the New Brighton Borough was annexed and in 1945 the Sumner Borough was annexed. In 1953, an urban part of Heathcote County was incorporated into the city.{{cite book | last=Bloomfield | first=Gerald Taylor | title=The Evolution of Local Government Areas in Metropolitan Auckland, 1840-1971 | publisher=[Auckland] : Auckland University Press | publication-place=Auckland | date=1973 | isbn=0-19-647714-X | page=14}}

In November 1947, a basement fire at the Ballantynes department store on the corner of Cashel and Colombo Streets unexpectedly burned out of control, resulting in New Zealand's worst fire disaster. Despite being initially thought to be under control, the fire suddenly spread to the upper floors and consumed the entire building within minutes. The speed of the fire trapped 41 staff members on the upper floor, all of whom were killed. The department store was actually a combination of seven or eight different buildings, joined to form a "perplexing maze"{{citation |title=Civic funeral for 41 Ballantynes fire victims |date=18 November 2022 |language=en |work=NZ History |publisher=Ministry for Culture & Heritage |access-date=29 April 2024 |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/a-civic-funeral-is-held-for-the-41-victims-of-the-ballantynes-department-store-fire |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003005749/https://nzhistory.govt.nz/a-civic-funeral-is-held-for-the-41-victims-of-the-ballantynes-department-store-fire |archive-date=3 October 2023 |url-status=live }} with no sprinklers or alarm system.{{sfn|Rice|2008|p=115}} A subsequent Royal commission of enquiry resulted in changes to the building code to improve fire safety.{{citation |title=Christchurch to mark 75 years since Ballantynes shop fire, where 41 died |language=en |work=The New Zealand Herald |first1=Nathan |last1=Morton |date=15 November 2022 |access-date=29 April 2024 |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/christchurch-to-mark-75-years-since-ballantynes-shop-fire-where-41-died/N75AE5KPBRHOFIK5O75LPYJNJE/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424054624/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/christchurch-to-mark-75-years-since-ballantynes-shop-fire-where-41-died/N75AE5KPBRHOFIK5O75LPYJNJE/ |archive-date=24 April 2024 |url-status=live }}{{citation |title=Ballantynes' fire – 18 November 1947 |language=en |work=my.christchurchcitylibraries.com |access-date=29 April 2024 |url=https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/ballantynes-fire/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413184635/https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/ballantynes-fire/ |archive-date=13 April 2024 |url-status=live }} Thousands of mourners, including the Prime Minister, attended a mass funeral in the aftermath.{{sfn|Rice|2008|p=116}}

During the 1960s Christchurch experienced urban sprawl, with much of the retail business of the central city moving out to urban shopping malls. These typically included large car parking areas to suit the growing shift towards personal car ownership, and away from public transport.{{sfn|Wilson|2005|pp=45, 88, 152–154}}{{sfn|Rice|2008|pp=131, 134}} Hornby became a significant industrial suburb in the 1960s, with industrial and residential premises expanding westwards.{{Cite web |url=https://www.ccc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Culture-Community/Stats-and-facts-on-Christchurch/Community-Ward-Profiles/Commercial-Centre-Factsheets/Hornby.pdf |title=2017 Comercial Centre Factsheet |access-date=24 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125233237/https://www.ccc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Culture-Community/Stats-and-facts-on-Christchurch/Community-Ward-Profiles/Commercial-Centre-Factsheets/Hornby.pdf |archive-date=25 January 2019 |publisher=Christchurch City Council |year=2017 }} The Lyttelton road tunnel between Lyttelton and Christchurch was opened in 1964.{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Christchurch–Lyttelton road tunnel |encyclopedia=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |last=Wilson |first=John |url=http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/10225/christchurch-lyttelton-road-tunnel |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090330104118/http://www.teara.govt.nz/Places/Canterbury/CanterburyPlaces/10/ENZ-Resources/Standard/4/en |archive-date=30 March 2009 |access-date=25 April 2024 |date=6 July 2015 }} Television broadcasts began in Christchurch on 1 June 1961 with the launch of channel CHTV3, making Christchurch the second New Zealand city to receive regular television broadcasts.{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Television – History of television in New Zealand |encyclopedia=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |last=Dunleavy |first=Trisha |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/diagram/45673/new-zealand-television-timeline |access-date=29 April 2024 |date=22 October 2014 |archive-date=28 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528163847/https://teara.govt.nz/en/diagram/45673/new-zealand-television-timeline |url-status=live }} The channel initially broadcast from a 10-kilowatt transmitter atop the Gloucester Street studios until it switched to the newly built 100-kilowatt Sugarloaf transmitter in the Port Hills on 28 August 1965.{{Cite news |date=27 August 1965 |title=Sugarloaf To Open Tomorrow |pages=1 |work=The Press |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19650827.2.4 |access-date=6 April 2022 |archive-date=6 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406080001/https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19650827.2.4 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=Sugarloaf: Inside the concrete eyrie high above Christchurch in the Port Hills |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/106321633/sugarloaf-inside-the-concrete-eyrie-high-above-christchurch-in-the-port-hills |last=Gates |first=Charlie |date=24 August 2018 |access-date=29 April 2024 |work=Stuff |archive-date=1 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301055247/https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/106321633/sugarloaf-inside-the-concrete-eyrie-high-above-christchurch-in-the-port-hills |url-status=live }} In 1969, the one-way system running through central Christchurch was established. The first two streets to be made one-way were Lichfield and St Asaph streets. They were followed by Barbadoes, Madras, Salisbury and Kilmore streets.{{Cite news |first=Phillip |last=Matthews |date=17 April 2021 |title=1969: The start of the one-way system |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/124853992/1969-the-start-of-the-oneway-system |access-date=29 April 2024 |work=Stuff |language=en |archive-date=5 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605055127/https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/124853992/1969-the-start-of-the-oneway-system |url-status=live }} A police station opened in 1973 on Hereford street, it was imploded and demolished in 2015.{{Cite news |title=Watch: Christchurch's central police station implosion |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch-earthquake-2011/68996037/watch-christchurchs-central-police-station-implosion |last=Hume |first=Myles |date=15 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019190729/https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch-earthquake-2011/68996037/watch-christchurchs-central-police-station-implosion |archive-date=19 October 2018 |access-date=27 April 2024 |url-status=live |work=Stuff }}{{Cite news |title=Police station officially opened after quick build |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/128080/police-station-officially-opened-after-quick-build |date=14 February 2013 |access-date=29 April 2024 |work=Radio New Zealand |archive-date=4 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240904060608/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/128080/police-station-officially-opened-after-quick-build |url-status=live }}

Christchurch hosted the 1974 British Commonwealth Games at the purpose-built Queen Elizabeth II Park.{{Cite news |title=What was the legacy of the Christchurch Commonwealth Games? |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/canterbury/300931199/what-was-the-legacy-of-the-christchurch-commonwealth-games |last=Kenny |first=Lee |date=23 July 2023 |access-date=25 April 2024 |work=Stuff |archive-date=24 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424124948/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/canterbury/300931199/what-was-the-legacy-of-the-christchurch-commonwealth-games |url-status=live }} The sports complex was open in 1973, one year before the games.{{Cite news |title=Christchurch earthquake: QE2 park closed |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/christchurch-earthquake-qe2-park-closed/IHJG5UMBQ6TQHOFM4JQEBOLKU4/ |date=4 March 2011 |access-date=27 April 2024 |work=The New Zealand Herald |archive-date=27 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427094911/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/christchurch-earthquake-qe2-park-closed/IHJG5UMBQ6TQHOFM4JQEBOLKU4/ |url-status=live }}

{{main|2010 Canterbury earthquake|2011 Christchurch earthquake}}

File:February 2011 Christchurch earthquake 10.jpg

On Saturday, 4 September 2010, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Christchurch and the central Canterbury region at 4:35 am. With its hypocentre near Darfield, west of the city at a depth of {{convert|10|km|mi}}, it caused widespread damage to the city and minor injuries, but no direct fatalities.{{Citation |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/55956/strong-quake-hits-near-christchurch |title=Strong quake hits in Darfield, Canterbury near Christchurch |publisher=Radio New Zealand |date=4 September 2010 |access-date=3 September 2010 |archive-date=29 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429001807/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/canterbury-earthquake/55956/day-of-shocks-leaves-dozens-homeless-in-christchurch |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=New Zealand's South Island Rocked by Magnitude 7.0 Earthquake |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-04/new-zealand-s-christchurch-rocked-by-7-0-earthquake-declares-emergency.html |publisher=Bloomberg L.P. |access-date=4 September 2010 |date=3 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100906214008/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-04/new-zealand-s-christchurch-rocked-by-7-0-earthquake-declares-emergency.html |archive-date=6 September 2010 |url-status=live }} This was followed by the Boxing Day earthquake a few months later, which occurred directly under the city centre and also caused widespread damage, but this was less severe.{{Cite web |title=Relocation Analysis of the Christchurch City "Boxing Day" Earthquakes |url=https://www.eqc.govt.nz/assets/Publications-Resources/216-Relocation-Analysis-of-the-Christchurch-City-Boxing-Day-Earthquakes-compressed.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905071540/https://www.eqc.govt.nz/assets/Publications-Resources/216-Relocation-Analysis-of-the-Christchurch-City-Boxing-Day-Earthquakes-compressed.pdf |archive-date=5 September 2024 |access-date=15 August 2024 |website=Earthquake Commission}}

Nearly two months later, on Tuesday 22 February 2011, an earthquake measuring magnitude 6.3 struck the city at 12:51{{Nbsp}}pm. Its hypocentre was located closer to the city, near Lyttelton, at a depth of {{cvt|5|km|0}}.{{Cite web |title=New Zealand Earthquake Report – Feb 22, 2011 at 12:51 pm (NZDT) |work=GeoNet |publisher=Earthquake Commission and GNS Science |url=http://www.geonet.org.nz/earthquake/quakes/3468575g.html |date=22 February 2011 |access-date=22 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223092531/http://www.geonet.org.nz/earthquake/quakes/3468575g.html |archive-date=23 February 2011 }} Although lower on the moment magnitude scale than the previous earthquake, the intensity and violence of the ground shaking was measured to be IX (Violent), among the strongest ever recorded globally in an urban area, which killed 185 people.{{Cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/4714748/Building-code-no-match-for-earthquake |title=Building code no match for earthquake |first=Andrea |last=Fox |work=The Dominion Post |date=1 March 2011 |access-date=11 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108021901/http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/4714748/Building-code-no-match-for-earthquake |archive-date=8 January 2012 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6394084/February-earthquake-toll-hits-185 |title=Official quake toll rises to 185 |date=9 February 2012 |work=Stuff |access-date=9 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313164254/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6394084/February-earthquake-toll-hits-185 |archive-date=13 March 2012 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.police.govt.nz/list-deceased |title=List of deceased – Christchurch earthquake |publisher=New Zealand Police |date=8 September 2011 |access-date=26 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614023925/http://www.police.govt.nz/list-deceased |archive-date=14 June 2011 |url-status=live }} On 13 June 2011 Christchurch was again rocked by two more large aftershocks. This resulted in more liquefaction and building damage, but no more lives were lost.{{cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch-earthquake-2011/5139229/Thousands-of-homes-need-to-go |title='Thousands of homes need to go' |date=14 June 2011 |work=The Press |access-date=26 August 2024 |archive-date=2 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902085417/http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch-earthquake-2011/5139229/Thousands-of-homes-need-to-go |url-status=live }}

There were further earthquakes on 23 December 2011; the first, of magnitude 5.8, {{cvt|26|km|0}} north-east of the city at a shallow depth at 1:58{{Nbsp}}pm, followed by several aftershocks and another earthquake of magnitude 5.9 and similar location 80 minutes later.{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16312041 |title=New Zealand's Christchurch rocked by earthquakes |publisher=BBC |date=23 December 2011 |access-date=4 November 2013 |archive-date=27 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127111230/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16312041 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10775100 |title=Christchurch: More quakes expected |publisher=The New Zealand Herald |date=23 December 2011 |access-date=4 November 2013 |archive-date=5 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105010107/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10775100 |url-status=live }}

Many heritage buildings have been demolished since the earthquakes, and most of the city's high rise buildings, including Hotel Grand Chancellor, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Clarendon Tower, and Radio Network House have been demolished. Churches were demolished too, including Durham Street Methodist Church, Oxford Terrace Baptist Church, St Luke's Church, St Paul's Church, and St John the Baptist Church. Other churches are badly damaged and their fate is undecided, including the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament and the Anglican ChristChurch Cathedral. A replacement Anglican cathedral, the Cardboard Cathedral, opened in August 2013 on the site of the former St John the Baptist Church.

{{main|2017 Port Hills fires|2024 Port Hills fire}}

File:2017 Port Hills fires 15 Feb.jpg, in Cashmere, on 15 February.]]

On 13 February 2017, two bush fires started on the Port Hills. These later merged and the single large wildfire extended down both sides of the Port Hill almost reaching Governors Bay in the south-west. Eleven houses were destroyed by fire and over {{convert|2076|ha}} of land was burned.{{Cite news |first=Laura |last=Walters |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/89489080/how-does-the-size-of-the-christchurch-fires-compare |work=Stuff |date=17 February 2017 |access-date=17 February 2017 |title=How does the size of the Christchurch fires compare? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309085645/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/89489080/how-does-the-size-of-the-christchurch-fires-compare |archive-date=9 March 2017 |url-status=live }}

In 2024, a second fire on the Port Hills burned {{convert|700|hectare}}.{{citation |title=Port Hills fire now '70 per cent contained |language=en-nz |work=Otago Daily Times |date=16 February 2024 |access-date=26 August 2024 |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-christchurch/port-hills-fire-now-70-cent-contained |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221032444/https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-christchurch/port-hills-fire-now-70-cent-contained |archive-date=21 February 2024 }} The fire was also started under similarly suspicious circumstances. Lessons from the 2017 fire contributed to a more effective emergency response, and the fire was more-quickly contained.

{{main|Christchurch mosque shootings}}

On 15 March 2019, fifty-one people died from two consecutive mass shootings at the Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre by an Australian white supremacist.{{Cite news |title=Police with the latest information on the mosque shootings |url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/384896/police-with-the-latest-information-on-the-mosque-shootings |access-date=17 March 2019 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=17 March 2019 |archive-date=27 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327090232/https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/384896/police-with-the-latest-information-on-the-mosque-shootings |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=Turkish man wounded in Christchurch mosque shootings has died, bringing toll to 51 |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-shooting/112429722/turkish-man-wounded-in-christchurch-attacks-dies |access-date=3 May 2019 |work=Stuff |date=3 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503000711/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-shooting/112429722/turkish-man-wounded-in-christchurch-attacks-dies |archive-date=3 May 2019 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=Christchurch mosque shooting: What you need to know |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12213056 |access-date=15 March 2019 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=15 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190315025815/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12213056 |archive-date=15 March 2019 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=Christchurch shooting: reports of multiple casualties after shooting at mosque – live updates |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2019/mar/15/christchurch-shooting-injuries-reported-as-police-respond-to-critical-incident-live |access-date=15 March 2019 |work=The Guardian |date=15 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190315024555/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2019/mar/15/christchurch-shooting-injuries-reported-as-police-respond-to-critical-incident-live |archive-date=15 March 2019 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last1=Molyneux |first1=Vita |title=Live updates: Six people have reportedly been killed in Christchurch shootings near mosque |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2019/03/gunshots-heard-near-hagley-park-in-christchurch.html |access-date=15 March 2019 |publisher=Newshub |date=15 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190315031109/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2019/03/gunshots-heard-near-hagley-park-in-christchurch.html |archive-date=15 March 2019 |url-status=dead }} Forty others were injured.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12358347 |title=Christchurch mosque terror attack sentencing: Gunman Brenton Tarrant planned to attack three mosques |work=The New Zealand Herald |last1=Bayer |first1=Kurt |last2=Leasl |first2=Anna |date=24 August 2020 |access-date=24 August 2020 |archive-date=4 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200904090033/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12358347 |url-status=live }} The attacks were described by then prime minister Jacinda Ardern as "one of New Zealand's darkest days".{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/15/one-of-new-zealands-darkest-days-jacinda-ardern-responds-to-christchurch-shooting |title=Jacinda Ardern on the Christchurch shooting: 'One of New Zealand's darkest days' |work=The Guardian |access-date=5 July 2019 |date=15 March 2019 |archive-date=6 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906144928/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/15/one-of-new-zealands-darkest-days-jacinda-ardern-responds-to-christchurch-shooting |url-status=live }} Just days after the attacks the live-streamed footage became classified as objectionable by the Chief Censor, making the footage illegal to possess and distribute within New Zealand.{{Cite web |title=The terrorist attack |url=https://christchurchattack.royalcommission.nz/the-report/part-1-purpose-and-process/the-terrorist-attack/ |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Attack on Christchurch Mosques on 15 March 2019 |language=en-NZ}} On 2 June 2020, the attacker pleaded guilty to multiple charges of murder, attempted murder, and terrorism.{{Cite news |last1=Quinlivan |first1=Mark |last2=McCarron |first2=Heather |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2019/09/christchurch-shooting-alleged-gunman-brenton-tarrant-s-trial-delayed.html |title=Christchurch shooting: Alleged gunman Brenton Tarrant's trial delayed |work=Newshub |access-date=2 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613064106/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2019/09/christchurch-shooting-alleged-gunman-brenton-tarrant-s-trial-delayed.html |archive-date=13 June 2020 }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-shooting/113473357/terror-accused-pleads-not-guilty-to-murder-charges |access-date=13 June 2019 |title=Man accused of Christchurch mosque shootings pleads not guilty to 51 murder charges |date=14 June 2019 |work=Stuff |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724161107/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-shooting/113473357/terror-accused-pleads-not-guilty-to-murder-charges |archive-date=24 July 2020 }} On 27 August, he was sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole, the first time such a sentence was handed down in New Zealand.{{Cite court |litigants=R v Tarrant |court=Christchurch High Court |reporter=NZHC |vol=2020 |opinion=2192 |date=27 August 2020 |url=https://www.courtsofnz.govt.nz/assets/cases/R-v-Tarrant-sentencing-remarks-20200827.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022175740/https://www.courtsofnz.govt.nz/assets/cases/R-v-Tarrant-sentencing-remarks-20200827.pdf |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Lourens |first=Mariné |date=27 August 2020 |title=Christchurch mosque gunman jailed 'until his last gasp' |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-shooting/122577663/christchurch-mosque-gunman-jailed-until-his-last-gasp |access-date=27 August 2020 |website=Stuff |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827202459/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-shooting/122577663/christchurch-mosque-gunman-jailed-until-his-last-gasp |archive-date=27 August 2020 }}{{Cite news |date=27 August 2020 |title=New Zealand mosque shooter given life in prison for 'wicked' crimes |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-newzealand-shooting-idUSKBN25M2QF |access-date=27 August 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827200055/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-newzealand-shooting-idUSKBN25M2QF |archive-date=27 August 2020 }}

File:Christchurch, New Zealand, NASA 2.jpg

Christchurch is halfway along the east coast of the South Island, facing the South Pacific Ocean. With the exception of the Port Hills on Banks Peninsula to its south, the city sits on flat land, on average around {{cvt|20|m}} above sea level.{{cite journal |last1=Hobbs |first1=M. |last2=Ahuriri-Driscoll |first2=A. |last3=Kingham |first3=S. |last4=Wiki |first4=J. |last5=Marek |first5=L. |last6=Dionisio |first6=M.R. |last7=Curl |first7=A. |last8=Schluter |first8=P. |last9=Banwell |first9=K. |last10=Mackenbach |first10=J.D. |title=A city profile of Ōtautahi Christchurch |journal=Cities |volume=121 |date=2022 |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264275121003802 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825141254/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0264275121003802 |access-date=20 November 2024 |archive-date=25 August 2023 |doi=10.1016/j.cities.2021.103481 |page=103481 |url-status=live}}

{{further|Geology of the Canterbury region}}

The present land mass of New Zealand split from the super continent of Gondwana around 85 million years ago. Prior to that time, mudstone and hardened sandstones commonly known as greywacke was deposited and deformed by tectonic movement. Following the split from Gondwana, during the period between 80 and 23 million years ago, the land became eroded and subsided below sea level. Marine and terrestrial sediments were deposited, leaving the greywacke as the oldest and deepest layers (basement rock). Around 11–6 million years ago, volcanic eruptions created the Banks Peninsula volcanic complex. Over the last two million years as the Southern Alps were rising, there were multiple periods of glaciation. Rivers flowing from the mountains carried alluvial gravels over the area that is now the Canterbury Plains, covering the underlying rock to depths of between 200 and 600 metres. Continuing tectonic movement created faults that penetrate from the greywacke rock into the layers above. These faults remain beneath Canterbury and Christchurch.{{cite Q|Q125681467 }}{{Rp|21}}

The glacial/interglacial cycles of the Quaternary Period led to multiple rises and falls in sea level. These sea level changes occurred over a period when there was also slow subsidence in the eastern coastal plains of Canterbury and Christchurch. The result has been the deposition of sequences of mostly fluvial gravel (occurring during periods of low sea level and glaciation), and fine deposits of silt, sand and clay, with some peat, shells and wood (occurring during interglacial periods when the sea level was similar to the present).{{Rp||page=13}}

The layers of gravel beneath the eastern Canterbury Plains and Christchurch area form an artesian aquifer with the interbedded fine sediments as an impermeable layer, or aquiclude. Water pressure from the artesian aquifer has led to the formation of numerous spring-fed streams. In Christchurch, the Avon River / Ōtākaro and Ōpāwaho / Heathcote River rivers have spring-fed sources in the western suburbs of Christchurch, and the Halswell River begins north-west of the Port Hills on the periphery of Christchurch and flows to Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora.{{cite Q|Q125680986 }}{{Rp||page=14}}

As a consequence of the flat terrain and spring-fed streams, large parts of the area now occupied by Christchurch City were originally a coastal wetland, with extensive swamp forests. Much of the forest was destroyed by fire, mostly likely by the earliest inhabitants, from around 1000 CE. When European settlers arrived in the 19th century, the area was a mixture of swamp and tussock grasslands, with only remnant patches of forest. An early European visitor was William Barnard Rhodes, captain of the barque Australian, who climbed the Port Hills from Lyttelton Harbour in September 1836 and observed a large grassy plain with two small areas of forest. He reported that "All the land that I saw was swamp and mostly covered with water".{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=26 February 2011 |title=Christchurch: a city haunted by its environmental past? |url=https://envirohistorynz.com/2011/02/26/christchurch-a-city-haunted-by-its-environmental-past/ |access-date=25 April 2024 |website=envirohistory NZ |language=en |archive-date=23 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223053709/https://envirohistorynz.com/2011/02/26/christchurch-a-city-haunted-by-its-environmental-past/ |url-status=live }} Most of the eastern, southern and northern parts of the city were wet areas when European settlement began.{{cite journal |last1=White |first1=P.A. |last2=Goodrich |first2=K. |last3=Cave |first3=S. |last4=Minni |first4=G. |date=May 2007 |title=Waterways, Swamps and Vegetation of Christchurch in 1856 and Baseflow Discharge in Christchurch Streams |url=https://docs.niwa.co.nz/library/public/ECtrU07-39.pdf |journal=GNS Science Consultancy Report 2007 |publisher=Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences |issue=103 |access-date=25 April 2024 |archive-date=25 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425051249/https://docs.niwa.co.nz/library/public/ECtrU07-39.pdf |url-status=live }}

Over the period since European settlement commenced, land drainage works have enabled development of land across the city. There are now only small remnants of wetland remaining, such as Riccarton Bush, Travis Wetland, Ōtukaikino wetland, and the Cashmere Valley.{{Cite journal |date=February 2003 |title=Restoring Wetlands |url=https://ccc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Environment/Water/waterways-guide/10.-Restoring-Wetlands.pdf |journal=Waterways, Wetlands and Drainage Guide: Ko te Anga Whakaora mō Ngā Arawai Rēpō |publisher=Christchurch City Council |volume=10 |access-date=25 April 2024 |archive-date=17 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217201515/https://ccc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Environment/Water/waterways-guide/10.-Restoring-Wetlands.pdf |url-status=live }}

{{Main|Christchurch Central City}}

File:Christchurch_central_city_02.jpg]]

Christchurch Central City is defined as the area centred on Cathedral Square and within the Four Avenues (Bealey Avenue, Fitzgerald Avenue, Moorhouse Avenue and Deans Avenue).{{Cite web |title=Christchurch City Council definition |url=http://resources.ccc.govt.nz/files/ResidentialDevelopment-OccupiedDwellings-docs.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901090511/http://resources.ccc.govt.nz/files/ResidentialDevelopment-OccupiedDwellings-docs.pdf |archive-date=1 September 2013 |access-date=27 November 2009 }} It includes Hagley Park, and the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. The design of the central city with its grid pattern of streets, city squares and parkland was laid out by 1850.{{sfn|Rice|2008|p=15}}

The central city was among the most heavily damaged areas of Christchurch in the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes.{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Historic earthquakes – The 2011 Christchurch earthquake |encyclopedia=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |last=McSaveney |first=Eileen |year=2011 |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/historic-earthquakes/page-13 |access-date=26 April 2024 |archive-date=26 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926103028/https://teara.govt.nz/en/historic-earthquakes/page-13 |url-status=live }} Following the second earthquake, the Central City Red Zone was set up as an exclusion zone for public safety reasons, and many parts remained closed to the public until June 2013.{{cite news |last=Stylianou |first=Georgina |title=Christchurch red zone curtain set to fall |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8478832/Christchurch-red-zone-curtain-set-to-fall |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327224756/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8478832/Christchurch-red-zone-curtain-set-to-fall |archive-date=27 March 2013 |access-date=26 April 2024 |newspaper=The Press |date=27 March 2013 }} A large number of heritage buildings were demolished following the earthquake, along with most of the city's high rise buildings.{{Cite news |title=Before and after: how the 2011 earthquake changed Christchurch |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/22/before-and-after-how-the-2011-earthquake-changed-christchurch |last=Hunt |first=Elle |date=22 February 2021 |access-date=26 April 2024 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=29 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329011059/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/22/before-and-after-how-the-2011-earthquake-changed-christchurch |url-status=live }}{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Historic earthquakes – The 2011 Christchurch earthquake |encyclopedia=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |last=McSaveney |first=Eileen |year=2011 |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/historic-earthquakes/page-13 |access-date=26 April 2024 |archive-date=26 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926103028/https://teara.govt.nz/en/historic-earthquakes/page-13 |url-status=live }} The Christchurch Central Recovery Plan was developed to lead the rebuild of the city centre, and featured 17 "anchor projects".{{Cite book |title=Christchurch Central Recovery Plan: Te Mahere 'Maraka Ōtautahi' |publisher=Christchurch: Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority |year=2012 |isbn=978-0-478-39718-5 |pages=4 }}{{Cite news |title=Five years on, architects of Christchurch rebuild blueprint stand by their plan |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/business/the-rebuild/95511834/five-years-on-architects-of-christchurch-rebuild-blueprint-stand-by-their-plan |last=Harvie |first=Will |date=23 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122225951/https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/business/the-rebuild/95511834/five-years-on-architects-of-christchurch-rebuild-blueprint-stand-by-their-plan |archive-date=22 November 2017 |access-date=26 April 2024 |url-status=live |work=Stuff }} There has been massive growth in the residential sector in the central city, particularly in the East Frame development.{{Cite news |title=High demand sees Crown offer land in Christchurch's east frame to more developers |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/126597780/high-demand-sees-crown-offer-land-in-christchurchs-east-frame-to-more-developers |last=McDonald |first=Liz |date=6 October 2021 |access-date=23 April 2024 |work=Stuff |archive-date=23 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423075824/https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/126597780/high-demand-sees-crown-offer-land-in-christchurchs-east-frame-to-more-developers |url-status=live }}

{{category see also|Suburbs of Christchurch}}

File:Bishop Street, Christchurch, New Zealand 17.jpg

There are currently no legal definition of the boundaries of suburbs in Christchurch. The suburb boundaries are largely defined by third-party agencies, such as Statistics New Zealand and New Zealand Post, and may differ between agencies or sources.{{Cite web |date=30 March 2018 |title=Suburb boundaries – a Official Information Act request to Christchurch City Council |url=https://fyi.org.nz/request/7543-suburb-boundaries |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420070632/https://fyi.org.nz/request/7543-suburb-boundaries |archive-date=20 April 2018 |access-date=21 April 2024 |website=FYI |language=en }}

The earliest suburbs of Christchurch were laid out with streets in a grid pattern, centred on Cathedral Square. Growth initially took place along the tramlines, leading to radial development.{{cite web |first=John |last=Wilson |title=The expansion of Christchurch to 1926 |website=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/map/10370/the-expansion-of-christchurch-to-1926 |access-date=21 April 2024 |archive-date=21 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421064758/https://teara.govt.nz/en/map/10370/the-expansion-of-christchurch-to-1926 |url-status=live }} Major expansion occurred in the 1950s and 60s, with the development of large areas of state housing. Settlements that had originally been remote, such as Sumner, New Brighton, Upper Riccarton and Papanui eventually became amalgamated into the expanding city.{{cite web |first=John |last=Wilson |title=Canterbury region – Christchurch |website=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/canterbury-region/page-13 |access-date=21 April 2024 |archive-date=9 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109134339/http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/canterbury-region/page-13 |url-status=live }}

The Christchurch functional urban area, as defined by Statistics New Zealand, covers {{cvt|2408.1|km2}}.{{Cite web |title=Functional urban areas – methodology and classification {{!}} Stats NZ |url=https://www.stats.govt.nz/methods/functional-urban-areas-methodology-and-classification |access-date=26 September 2022 |website=www.stats.govt.nz |archive-date=28 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628170309/https://www.stats.govt.nz/methods/functional-urban-areas-methodology-and-classification |url-status=live }} Towns and settlements in the functional urban area include:

{{div col|colwidth=12em}}

• Leeston
• Lyttelton
• Governors Bay
• Diamond Harbour
• Tai Tapu
• Little River
• Lincoln
• Prebbleton
• Rolleston
• Templeton
• West Melton
• Rangiora
• Woodend
• Waikuku
• Pegasus
• Kaiapoi
• Kainga
• The Pines Beach
• Motukarara

{{div col end}}

Christchurch has a temperate oceanic climate (Köppen: Cfb) with a mild summer, cool winter, and regular moderate rainfall. It has mean daily maximum air temperatures of {{convert|22.6|°C|0}} in January and {{convert|10.9|°C|0}} in July.{{Cite web |url=http://www.niwa.co.nz/edu/resources/climate/maxairtemp |title=Mean Daily Maximum Temperatures 1971–2000 |publisher=National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research |access-date=25 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225155739/http://www.niwa.co.nz/edu/resources/climate/maxairtemp |archive-date=25 December 2008 }} Summer in the city is mostly warm, but is often moderated by a sea breeze from the north-east. A notable feature of the weather is the nor'wester, a hot föhn wind that occasionally reaches storm force, causing widespread minor damage to property.[http://www.metservice.co.nz/default/index.php?pkey=190512&ckey=192956 Canterbury's damaging nor'wester] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050111231254/http://www.metservice.co.nz/default/index.php?pkey=190512&ckey=192956 |date=11 January 2005}} (from the Metservice NZ website) Like many cities, Christchurch experiences an urban heat island effect; temperatures are slightly higher within the inner-city regions compared to the surrounding countryside.{{Cite journal |last1=Tapper |last2=Tyson |last3=Owens |last4=Hastie |first1=NJ |first2=PD |first3=IF |first4=WJ |year=1981 |title=Modeling the Winter Urban Heat Island Over Christchurch, New Zealand |journal=Journal of Applied Meteorology |volume=20 |issue=4 |page=289 |doi=10.1175/1520-0450(1981)020<0365:VKECOH>2.0.CO;2 |issn=1520-0450 |doi-access=free }} The highest temperature recorded in Christchurch was {{convert|41.6|°C|1}} on 7 February 1973,{{Cite news |date=26 January 2018 |title=NZ's hottest ever day: Melted roads, striking workers and 26,000 dead chickens |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/100916484/nzs-hottest-ever-day-melted-roads-striking-workers-and-26000-dead-chickens |access-date=11 June 2024 |website=Stuff |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204022651/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/100916484/nzs-hottest-ever-day-melted-roads-striking-workers-and-26000-dead-chickens |url-status=live }} however the highest for the Christchurch metropolitan area was {{convert|42.4|°C|0}} recorded in Rangiora on the same day.{{cite web |url=https://docs.niwa.co.nz/library/public/nzmstic159.pdf |title=High temperatures in Canterbury, Marlborough and Hawkes Bay 7 February 1973 |publisher=NIWA |access-date=30 July 2024 |archive-date=30 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240730073642/https://docs.niwa.co.nz/library/public/nzmstic159.pdf |url-status=live }}

In winter, subfreezing temperatures are common, with nights falling below {{convert|0|°C|0}} an average of 50 times a year at Christchurch Airport and 23 times a year in the city centre.{{cite web |url=https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/ |title=CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent number: 4843, 4858, date range: 1991–2020) |publisher=NIWA |access-date=18 August 2024 |archive-date=10 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310121410/https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/ |url-status=live }} There are on average 80 days of ground frost per year.[https://www.niwa.co.nz/education-and-training/schools/resources/climate/groundfrost Mean Number Of Days Of Ground Frost] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314035433/http://www.niwa.co.nz/education-and-training/schools/resources/climate/groundfrost |date=14 March 2016}} (from the NIWA website) Snowfall occurs on average three times per year, although in some years none is recorded.{{Cite web |url=http://docs.niwa.co.nz/library/public/nzmsmp167-2.pdf |title=The Climate of Christchurch |publisher=New Zealand Meteorological Service |access-date=6 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113035014/http://docs.niwa.co.nz/library/public/nzmsmp167-2.pdf |archive-date=13 January 2014 |url-status=live }} The lowest temperature recorded in Christchurch was {{convert|-9.4|°C|0}} in the suburb of Wigram in July 1945.{{cite web |url=https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/ |title=CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent number: 4849) |publisher=NIWA |access-date=29 July 2024 |archive-date=10 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310121410/https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/ |url-status=live }}

On cold winter nights, the surrounding hills, clear skies, and frosty calm conditions often combine to form a stable inversion layer above the city that traps vehicle exhausts and smoke from domestic fires to cause smog.{{Cite news |last1=Robinson |first1=Shelley |title=Dirt, arsenic and lead polluting air in industrial Christchurch |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/67687534/dirt-arsenic-and-lead-polluting-air-in-industrial-christchurch |access-date=7 December 2019 |agency=Stuff |date=21 April 2015 |archive-date=7 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207201026/https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/67687534/dirt-arsenic-and-lead-polluting-air-in-industrial-christchurch |url-status=live }} While not as bad as smog in Los Angeles or Mexico City, Christchurch smog has often exceeded World Health Organisation recommendations for air pollution. To limit air pollution, the regional council banned the use of open fires in the city in 2006.{{Cite news |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/regional/53393/open-fires,-old-woodburners-banned-in-christchurch |title=Open fires, old woodburners banned in Christchurch |date=1 April 2010 |access-date=31 January 2015 |work=Radio New Zealand |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403133304/http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/regional/53393/open-fires,-old-woodburners-banned-in-christchurch |archive-date=3 April 2015 |url-status=live }}

{{Weather box

|location = Christchurch Airport (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1953–present)

|metric first = Yes

|single line = Yes

|Jan record high C = 37.1

|Feb record high C = 40.0

|Mar record high C = 35.9

|Apr record high C = 29.9

|May record high C = 27.3

|Jun record high C = 22.5

|Jul record high C = 22.4

|Aug record high C = 22.8

|Sep record high C = 26.2

|Oct record high C = 30.1

|Nov record high C = 32.0

|Dec record high C = 36.0

|year record high C = 40.0

|Jan record low C = 3.0

|Feb record low C = 1.5

|Mar record low C = -1.3

|Apr record low C = -4.0

|May record low C = -6.4

|Jun record low C = -7.2

|Jul record low C = -6.8

|Aug record low C = -6.7

|Sep record low C = -4.8

|Oct record low C = -4.2

|Nov record low C = -2.7

|Dec record low C = 0.1

|year record low C = -7.2

| Jan avg record high C = 31.9

| Feb avg record high C = 32.0

| Mar avg record high C = 28.8

| Apr avg record high C = 25.7

| May avg record high C = 22.4

| Jun avg record high C = 19.1

| Jul avg record high C = 18.2

| Aug avg record high C = 19.8

| Sep avg record high C = 22.5

| Oct avg record high C = 24.9

| Nov avg record high C = 27.7

| Dec avg record high C = 30.3

| year avg record high C = 33.2

|Jan high C = 22.5

|Feb high C = 22.2

|Mar high C = 20.3

|Apr high C = 17.2

|May high C = 14.7

|Jun high C = 11.7

|Jul high C = 11.2

|Aug high C = 12.5

|Sep high C = 14.8

|Oct high C = 16.9

|Nov high C = 18.8

|Dec high C = 21.1

| year high C = 17.0

|Jan mean C = 17.1

|Feb mean C = 16.9

|Mar mean C = 14.9

|Apr mean C = 11.9

|May mean C = 9.3

|Jun mean C = 6.4

|Jul mean C = 6.0

|Aug mean C = 7.3

|Sep mean C = 9.3

|Oct mean C = 11.3

|Nov mean C = 13.2

|Dec mean C = 15.7

| year mean C = 11.6

|Jan low C = 11.8

|Feb low C = 11.5

|Mar low C = 9.5

|Apr low C = 6.6

|May low C = 3.9

|Jun low C = 1.2

|Jul low C = 0.7

|Aug low C = 2.0

|Sep low C = 3.9

|Oct low C = 5.8

|Nov low C = 7.6

|Dec low C = 10.4

| year low C = 6.2

| Jan avg record low C = 5.4

| Feb avg record low C = 4.6

| Mar avg record low C = 2.5

| Apr avg record low C = -0.5

| May avg record low C = -2.4

| Jun avg record low C = -4.4

| Jul avg record low C = -4.7

| Aug avg record low C = -3.8

| Sep avg record low C = -2.6

| Oct avg record low C = -1.1

| Nov avg record low C = 0.3

| Dec avg record low C = 3.8

| year avg record low C = -5.2

|rain colour = green

|Jan rain mm = 42.4

|Feb rain mm = 39.8

|Mar rain mm = 45.1

|Apr rain mm = 57.5

|May rain mm = 58.1

|Jun rain mm = 68.3

|Jul rain mm = 64.2

|Aug rain mm = 58.1

|Sep rain mm = 42.2

|Oct rain mm = 49.1

|Nov rain mm = 45.1

|Dec rain mm = 47.8

|year rain mm =

| Jan rain days = 6.0

| Feb rain days = 5.3

| Mar rain days = 5.7

| Apr rain days = 7.7

| May rain days = 7.1

| Jun rain days = 8.6

| Jul rain days = 7.7

| Aug rain days = 7.3

| Sep rain days = 6.2

| Oct rain days = 7.2

| Nov rain days = 7.0

| Dec rain days = 7.0

| unit rain days = 1.0 mm

| Jan humidity = 74.0

| Feb humidity = 79.8

| Mar humidity = 83.0

| Apr humidity = 84.0

| May humidity = 86.6

| Jun humidity = 87.2

| Jul humidity = 87.6

| Aug humidity = 85.1

| Sep humidity = 77.7

| Oct humidity = 77.0

| Nov humidity = 70.7

| Dec humidity = 71.8

|Jan uv = 10

|Feb uv = 8

|Mar uv = 6

|Apr uv = 3

|May uv = 1

|Jun uv = 1

|Jul uv = 1

|Aug uv = 2

|Sep uv = 3

|Oct uv = 5

|Nov uv = 8

|Dec uv = 10

|Jan sun = 227.5|Jan percentsun = 51

|Feb sun = 195.2|Feb percentsun = 49

|Mar sun = 190.6|Mar percentsun = 50

|Apr sun = 158.1|Apr percentsun = 50

|May sun = 141.2|May percentsun = 47

|Jun sun = 115.3|Jun percentsun = 44

|Jul sun = 127.8|Jul percentsun = 44

|Aug sun = 156.5|Aug percentsun = 48

|Sep sun = 169.1|Sep percentsun = 48

|Oct sun = 205.4|Oct percentsun = 50

|Nov sun = 226.7|Nov percentsun = 51

|Dec sun = 215.0|Dec percentsun = 46

|year sun =

|source 1 = NIWA Climate Data{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520001949/https://niwa.co.nz/climate-and-weather/climate-data-and-activities |archive-date=20 May 2024 |url=https://niwa.co.nz/climate-and-weather/climate-data-and-activities |title=Climate data and activities |publisher=NIWA |access-date=20 May 2024 }}{{cite web |url=https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/ |title=CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent number: 4843) |publisher=NIWA |access-date=5 June 2024 |archive-date=10 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310121410/https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/ |title=CliFlo – National Climate Database : Christchurch Aero |publisher=NIWA |access-date=19 May 2024 |archive-date=27 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127002612/http://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/ |url-status=live }}

|source 2 = Time and Date (potential monthly daylight hours){{cite web |url=http://www.timeanddate.com/sun/new-zealand/christchurch |title=Christchurch, New Zealand – Sunrise, sunset and daylength |publisher=Time and Date |access-date=17 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150720221637/http://www.timeanddate.com/sun/new-zealand/christchurch |archive-date=20 July 2015 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://ogimet.com/cgi-bin/gsynres?ind=93781&ano=2021&mes=1&day=27&hora=0&min=0&ndays=30 |title=93781: Christchurch Aerodrome Aws (New Zealand) |author= |date=27 January 2021 |website=ogimet.com |publisher=OGIMET |access-date=27 January 2021 |archive-date=10 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210070314/http://ogimet.com/cgi-bin/gsynres?ind=93781&ano=2021&mes=1&day=27&hora=0&min=0&ndays=30 |url-status=live }}

}}

{{Weather box|width=auto

|metric first=y

|single line=y

|collapsed = Y

|location = Christchurch gardens (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1863–present)

| Jan record high C = 36.6

| Feb record high C = 41.6

| Mar record high C = 34.4

| Apr record high C = 30.3

| May record high C = 28.0

| Jun record high C = 23.1

| Jul record high C = 22.9

| Aug record high C = 23.8

| Sep record high C = 27.3

| Oct record high C = 31.4

| Nov record high C = 32.9

| Dec record high C = 35.4

| year record high C = 41.6

| Jan avg record high C = 31.3

| Feb avg record high C = 31.4

| Mar avg record high C = 28.6

| Apr avg record high C = 25.8

| May avg record high C = 22.7

| Jun avg record high C = 19.1

| Jul avg record high C = 18.3

| Aug avg record high C = 20.4

| Sep avg record high C = 23.1

| Oct avg record high C = 25.5

| Nov avg record high C = 27.7

| Dec avg record high C = 29.9

| year avg record high C = 32.7

| Jan high C = 22.6

| Feb high C = 22.4

| Mar high C = 20.5

| Apr high C = 17.6

| May high C = 15.0

| Jun high C = 12.0

| Jul high C = 11.6

| Aug high C = 13.0

| Sep high C = 15.3

| Oct high C = 17.3

| Nov high C = 19.2

| Dec high C = 21.2

| year high C =

| Jan mean C = 17.5

| Feb mean C = 17.3

| Mar mean C = 15.5

| Apr mean C = 12.7

| May mean C = 10.1

| Jun mean C = 7.3

| Jul mean C = 6.8

| Aug mean C = 8.1

| Sep mean C = 10.3

| Oct mean C = 12.2

| Nov mean C = 14.0

| Dec mean C = 16.2

| year mean C =

| Jan low C = 12.4

| Feb low C = 12.3

| Mar low C = 10.5

| Apr low C = 7.8

| May low C = 5.3

| Jun low C = 2.5

| Jul low C = 2.1

| Aug low C = 3.3

| Sep low C = 5.3

| Oct low C = 7.1

| Nov low C = 8.8

| Dec low C = 11.1

| year low C =

| Jan avg record low C = 6.6

| Feb avg record low C = 6.4

| Mar avg record low C = 4.2

| Apr avg record low C = 1.9

| May avg record low C = -0.4

| Jun avg record low C = -2.4

| Jul avg record low C = -2.6

| Aug avg record low C = -1.9

| Sep avg record low C = -0.5

| Oct avg record low C = 1.4

| Nov avg record low C = 2.7

| Dec avg record low C = 5.2

| year avg record low C = -3.4

|Jan record low C = 1.1

|Feb record low C = 1.2

|Mar record low C = -0.9

|Apr record low C = -3.6

|May record low C = -6.1

|Jun record low C = -5.8

|Jul record low C = -7.1

|Aug record low C = -5.4

|Sep record low C = -4.8

|Oct record low C = -3.3

|Nov record low C = -2.3

|Dec record low C = 0.6

|year record low C = -7.1

|rain colour = green

|Jan rain mm = 45.2

|Feb rain mm = 39.0

|Mar rain mm = 48.4

|Apr rain mm = 62.1

|May rain mm = 63.4

|Jun rain mm = 72.8

|Jul rain mm = 63.9

|Aug rain mm = 60.9

|Sep rain mm = 42.6

|Oct rain mm = 49.5

|Nov rain mm = 44.5

|Dec rain mm = 51.6

|year rain mm =

|source 1 = NIWA {{cite web

|url = https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/

|title = CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent numbers: 4858, 24120, 44763)

|publisher = NIWA

|access-date = 10 Jul 2024}}

}}

Christchurch City covers a land area of {{cvt|1415.15|km2|}}{{Cite web |title=ArcGIS Web Application |url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787 |access-date=24 October 2024 |website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com |archive-date=14 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214063818/https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787 |url-status=live }} and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Christchurch city|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Christchurch city|y}}|R}}/1415.15|0}} people per km².

This is the second-most populous area administered by a single council in New Zealand, and the largest city in the South Island. The population comprises {{NZ population data 2018|Christchurch|y}} people in the Christchurch urban area, {{NZ population data 2018|Lyttelton|y}} people in the Lyttelton urban area, {{NZ population data 2018|Diamond Harbour|y}} people in the Diamond Harbour urban area, and {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Christchurch city|y}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Christchurch|y}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Lyttelton|y}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Diamond Harbour|y}}|R}}|0}} people in rural settlements and areas.

{{Historical populations|1981|281,721|1986|288,948|1991|296,061|1996|316,611|2001|323,956|2006|348,456|2013|341,469|2018|369,006|2023|391,383|percentages=pagr|title=Historical population for the territorial authority|source={{Cite web |url=http://resources.ccc.govt.nz/files/HistoricGrowth-PopulationSummary-docs.pdf |title=Historic Population Growth |access-date=24 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204163836/http://resources.ccc.govt.nz/files/HistoricGrowth-PopulationSummary-docs.pdf |archive-date=4 December 2013 }}{{NZ census 2018|Christchurch City (060)|christchurch-city|Christchurch City }}}}

Christchurch City had a population of 391,383 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 22,377 people (6.1%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 49,914 people (14.6%) since the 2013 census. There were 192,684 males, 196,557 females and 2,139 people of other genders in 150,909 dwellings.{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.060%2Bw_06001%2Bw_06002%2Bw_06003%2Bw_06004%2Bw_06005%2Bw_06006%2Bw_06007%2Bw_06008%2Bw_06009%2Bw_06010%2Bw_06011%2Bw_06012%2Bw_06013%2Bw_06014%2Bw_06015%2Bw_06016.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}} 4.5% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 37.5 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 64,722 people (16.5%) aged under 15 years, 84,633 (21.6%) aged 15 to 29, 178,113 (45.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 63,912 (16.3%) aged 65 or older.

Of those at least 15 years old, 70,764 (21.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 160,440 (49.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 73,659 (22.5%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $40,400, compared with $41,500 nationally. 35,010 people (10.7%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 163,554 (50.1%) people were employed full-time, 47,463 (14.5%) were part-time, and 8,913 (2.7%) were unemployed.{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.060.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Christchurch City (060)}}

File:2023 NZ Census Population Density - Christchurch City.png

People could identify as more than one ethnicity in the census. The results were 75.9% European ({{lang|mi|Pākehā}}); 11.2% Māori; 4.3% Pasifika; 17.1% Asian; 1.9% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.2% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 95.8%, Māori language by 2.4%, Samoan by 1.3% and other languages by 16.8%. No language could be spoken by 2.1% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 27.8, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 31.6% Christian, 2.1% Hindu, 1.3% Islam, 0.4% Māori religious beliefs, 1.0% Buddhist, 0.5% New Age, 0.1% Jewish, and 2.0% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 54.9%, and 6.3% of people did not answer the census question.

At the 2018 census, Europeans formed the majority in all sixteen wards, ranging from 57.7% in the Riccarton ward to 93.1% in the Banks Peninsula ward. The highest concentrations of Māori and Pasifika people were in the Linwood ward (18.3% and 9.0% respectively), followed by the Burwood ward (15.5% and 6.6%), while the highest concentrations of Asian people were in the Riccarton ward (34.9%) and Waimairi ward (26.7%).{{Cite web |date=May 2022 |title=Selected census data for community boards, wards and Banks Peninsula subdivisions |url=https://ccc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Culture-Community/Stats-and-facts-on-Christchurch/2022-Ward_CBProfile/2018CensusWardCommunityBoardProfilesWEB.xlsx |website=Christchurch City Council |access-date=19 May 2024 |archive-date=28 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528033721/https://ccc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Culture-Community/Stats-and-facts-on-Christchurch/2022-Ward_CBProfile/2018CensusWardCommunityBoardProfilesWEB.xlsx |url-status=live }}

Christchurch urban area covers {{Convert|294.43|km2||abbr=on}} and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Christchurch|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Christchurch|y}}|R}}/294.43|0}} people per km².

{{Historical populations|2013|330,645|2018|358,068|2023|380,079|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for the urban area|source=}}

The urban area had a population of 380,079 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 22,011 people (6.1%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 49,434 people (15.0%) since the 2013 census. There were 187,086 males, 190,911 females and 2,082 people of other genders in 146,055 dwellings.{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.2106.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}} 4.5% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 37.1 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 63,138 people (16.6%) aged under 15 years, 83,217 (21.9%) aged 15 to 29, 172,314 (45.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 61,413 (16.2%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 75.4% European ({{lang|mi|Pākehā}}); 11.3% Māori; 4.4% Pasifika; 17.5% Asian; 1.9% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.2% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 95.7%, Māori language by 2.4%, Samoan by 1.3% and other languages by 17.0%. No language could be spoken by 2.1% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 27.9, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 31.8% Christian, 2.2% Hindu, 1.3% Islam, 0.4% Māori religious beliefs, 1.0% Buddhist, 0.5% New Age, 0.1% Jewish, and 2.0% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 54.6%, and 6.3% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 68,472 (21.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 155,583 (49.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 71,943 (22.7%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $40,400, compared with $41,500 nationally. 33,714 people (10.6%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 158,859 (50.1%) people were employed full-time, 45,678 (14.4%) were part-time, and 8,727 (2.8%) were unemployed.{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.2106.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Christchurch (2106)}}

{{For|the regional economy|Canterbury Region#Economy}}

In 2023, the gross domestic product (GDP) of Christchurch City was $31.5 billion, representing 8.4% of New Zealand's total GDP. The sector with the largest contribution to the Christchurch City GDP was professional, scientific and technical services, at 12%. This is higher than the 9.6% contribution that these services make to the national economy. The next highest contribution to the city GDP was from healthcare and social assistance at 8.8%, versus 6.5% in the national economy. Manufacturing contributed 8.1%, compared with 8.2% in the national economy.{{Cite web |date=2023 |title=Regional Economic Profile – Christchurch City – 2023 Industry structure of economy |url=https://rep.infometrics.co.nz/christchurch-city/economy/structure?compare=new-zealand |access-date=19 April 2024 |website=Infometrics |archive-date=19 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419073253/https://rep.infometrics.co.nz/christchurch-city/economy/structure?compare=new-zealand |url-status=live }}

Christchurch City provides a diverse range of services for the Canterbury Region, but there are significant differences in the ranking of the sectors with the greatest contribution to GDP, when comparing the city GDP with the Canterbury Region GDP. Manufacturing and construction are the top two ranked sectors for the Canterbury region, but these two sectors are ranked third and fourth for the contribution to the city GDP. Conversely, professional, scientific and technical services are top ranked for the city, but third in the Canterbury Region GDP. Healthcare and social assistance is ranked second in the city GDP, but only seventh in the Canterbury Region GDP. Agriculture remains a significant contributor to the Canterbury Region GDP (sixth placed at $3.3 billion).{{Cite web |title=Gross Domestic Product of the Canterbury Region, New Zealand – year ended March 2022 |url=https://figure.nz/chart/W9VhJ662mcUp87Ny-jSVnLU9znPF6lmCX |access-date=19 April 2024 |website=Figure.NZ |language=en-nz |archive-date=19 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419084213/https://figure.nz/chart/W9VhJ662mcUp87Ny-jSVnLU9znPF6lmCX |url-status=live }}

The four largest industries in the city, based on the percentage of filled jobs were healthcare and social assistance, professional scientific and technical services, construction, and retail trade. Christchurch City had a higher proportion of people in employed in healthcare and social assistance (12.9%) than the national average (10.3%), but the proportions employed in professional, scientific and technical services, construction and retail trade were close to the national averages.{{Cite web |date=2022 |title=Regional Economic Profile – Christchurch City – 2023 Industry structure of employment |url=https://rep.infometrics.co.nz/christchurch-city/employment/structure?compare=new-zealand |access-date=19 April 2024 |website=Infometrics |archive-date=19 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419080042/https://rep.infometrics.co.nz/christchurch-city/employment/structure?compare=new-zealand |url-status=live }}

A number of nationally and internationally recognised brands and companies were founded and have their headquarters in Christchurch including Macpac, Kathmandu, PGG Wrightson, Tait Communications, Cookie Time, and Smiths City.

Christchurch is the second-largest manufacturing centre in New Zealand behind Auckland, the sector being the second-largest contributor to the local economy,{{Cite web |title=Manufacturing Jobs in Christchurch |url=http://www.cdc.org.nz/christchurch/manufacturing-jobs/ |website=CDC |access-date=9 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150330130856/http://www.cdc.org.nz/christchurch/manufacturing-jobs/ |archive-date=30 March 2015 |url-status=live }} with firms such as Anderson's making steel work for bridges, tunnels, and hydroelectric dams in the early days of infrastructure work. Now manufacturing is mainly of light products and the key market is Australia, with firms such as those pioneered by the Stewart family among the larger employers. Before clothing manufacture largely moved to Asia, Christchurch was the centre of the New Zealand clothing industry, with firms such as LWR Industries. The firms that remain mostly design and market, and manufacture in Asia. The city also had five footwear manufacturers, but these have been replaced by imports.

In the last few decades, technology-based industries have sprung up in Christchurch.{{Cite news |url=http://www.nbr.co.nz/opinion/will-tech-companies-stay-committed-christchurch-roll-call |title=Will tech companies stay committed to Christchurch? A roll call |date=28 February 2011 |access-date=15 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611063309/http://www.nbr.co.nz/opinion/will-tech-companies-stay-committed-christchurch-roll-call |archive-date=11 June 2016 |url-status=live }} Angus Tait founded Tait Electronics, a mobile-radio manufacturer, and other firms spun off from this, such as Dennis Chapman's Swichtec. In software, Cantabrian Gil Simpson founded a company that made LINC and Jade programming languages, and a management buyout spawned local firm Wynyard Group.

There have also been spin-offs from the electrical department of the University of Canterbury engineering school. These included Pulse Data, which became Human Ware (making reading devices and computers for blind people and those with limited vision) and CES Communications (encryption). The Pulse Data founders had moved from the Canterbury University engineering school to work for Wormald Inc. when they set up Pulse Data through a Management buyout of their division.{{citation needed|date=August 2017}} Spin-off company Invert Robotics developed the world's first climbing robot capable of climbing on stainless steel, aimed at the dairy tank inspection market.{{Cite web |title=Christchurch-based Invert Robotics expands further into global markets – New Zealand Research Commercialisation Success Stories |url=https://kiwinet.org.nz/SuccessStories/InvertRobotics |access-date=30 December 2020 |website=kiwinet.org.nz |archive-date=19 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119071117/https://kiwinet.org.nz/SuccessStories/InvertRobotics |url-status=live }}

In recent times, the University of Canterbury engineering school and computer science department play an important role in supplying staff and research for the technology industries, and the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology provides a flow of trained technicians and engineers. Locally and nationally, the IT sector is known not for its size (the third largest in New Zealand) but for producing innovative and entrepreneurial solutions, products and concepts.{{Cite web |title=IT Jobs in Christchurch |url=http://www.cdc.org.nz/christchurch/it-jobs/ |access-date=9 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150330120759/http://www.cdc.org.nz/christchurch/it-jobs/ |archive-date=30 March 2015 |url-status=live }}

File:Christchurch Farmers Market (8133157161).jpg, Riccarton, beside Riccarton House{{Cite web |title=Riccarton House and Bush |url=https://www.riccartonhouse.co.nz/ |publisher=Riccarton Bush Trust |access-date=1 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601085645/https://www.riccartonhouse.co.nz/ |archive-date=1 June 2019 |url-status=live }}]]

The agricultural industry was originally the economic core of Christchurch.{{Cite book |title=Agricultural Policy Reform and the Rural Economy in OECD Countries |date=1998 |publisher=OECD Publishing |isbn=9789264162532 |page=290 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZqsqxEnHWGYC&pg=PA290 |language=en }} Its surrounding farming countryside was originally the basis of its industry, part of the original "package" sold to New Zealand immigrants.{{Cite web |title=Historical Context |url=http://www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/people_and_communities/Geographic-areas/urban-rural-profile/historical-context.aspx |website=Stats.govt.nz |access-date=9 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150321013256/http://stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/people_and_communities/Geographic-areas/urban-rural-profile/historical-context.aspx |archive-date=21 March 2015 |url-status=live }} PGG Wrightson, New Zealand's leading agribusiness, is based in Christchurch.{{Cite news |last1=Hutching |first1=Gerard |title=PGG Wrightson profit lifts in tough year |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/82966086/PGG-Wrightson-profit-lifts-in-tough-year |access-date=15 August 2017 |work=Stuff |date=9 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816022609/http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/82966086/PGG-Wrightson-profit-lifts-in-tough-year |archive-date=16 August 2017 |url-status=live }} Its local roots go back to Pyne Gould Guinness, an old stock and station agency serving the South Island.{{Cite web |title=About PGG Wrightson |url=https://www.pggwrightson.co.nz/Our-Company/About-Us |website=www.pggwrightson.co.nz |access-date=15 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816005637/https://www.pggwrightson.co.nz/Our-Company/About-Us |archive-date=16 August 2017 |url-status=live }}

Other agribusinesses in Christchurch have included malting, seed development and dressing, wool and meat processing, and small biotechnology operations using by-products from meat works. Dairying has grown strongly in the surrounding areas, with high world prices for milk products and the use of irrigation to lift grass growth on dry land. With its higher labour use, this has helped stop declines in rural population. Many cropping and sheep farms have been converted to dairying. Conversions have been by agribusiness companies as well as by farmers, many of whom have moved south from North Island dairying strongholds such as Taranaki and the Waikato.

Cropping has always been important in the Canterbury Region. Wheat and barley and various strains of clover and other grasses for seed exporting have been the main crops. These have all created processing businesses in Christchurch. Agriculture in the region has diversified, with a wine industry developing at Waipara, and the beginnings of new horticulture industries such as olive production and processing. Deer farming has led to new processing using antlers for Asian medicine and aphrodisiacs. The high-quality local wine in particular has increased the appeal of Canterbury and Christchurch to tourists.{{Cite web |last1=Guide |title=Christchurch Wineries, Wine Tasting & Vineyards New Zealand |url=http://www.tourism.net.nz/region/christchurch/attractions-and-activities/wineries |website=www.tourism.net.nz |publisher=New Zealand Tourism Guide |access-date=15 August 2017 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816005258/http://www.tourism.net.nz/region/christchurch/attractions-and-activities/wineries |archive-date=16 August 2017 |url-status=live }}

An important component of the regions agricultural calendar is the Canterbury A&P Show. The first show took place in Christchurch on 22 October 1862{{Cite book |last=Wigram |first=Henry F. |url=http://archive.org/details/storyofchristchu00wigriala |title=The story of Christchurch, New Zealand |date=1916 |publisher=Christchurch : The Lyttelton Times Co., Ltd. |others=University of California Libraries }} and is now the largest agricultural and pastoral show in New Zealand featuring a combination of agriculture presentations, trade stalls, competitions and entertainment over three days. The Friday of the A&P Show had since at least 1918 been the People's Day or Show Day, and sometime between 1955 and 1958, Christchurch City Council moved the anniversary day to coincide with Show Day, as this allowed banks and businesses to close and people to attend the A&P Show.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

Tourism is also a significant factor in the city economy. As a city with a major international airport and the largest city in the South Island, Christchurch is a gateway for international tourists visiting the South Island attractions of Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, Queenstown, the West Coast and Kaikōura. However, the city is also a destination in itself because of its gardens, its history and heritage, galleries and museums, the scenery of the Port Hills, and the stories of the impact and recovery from the 2011 earthquakes.{{Cite web |title=Christchurch |url=https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/destinations/christchurch/ |access-date=21 April 2024 |website=Great Journeys NZ |language=en |archive-date=21 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421031622/https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/destinations/christchurch/ |url-status=live }} The tourism sector contributed 3.7% of the GDP of Christchurch in 2023, a significant increase over the 2.1% contribution in 2000. Annual growth in the tourism GDP since 2000 has been an average of 5.9%, slightly below the national average growth rate of 6.9%.{{cite web |title=Regional Economic Profile – Christchurch City – 2023 Tourism GDP |url=https://rep.infometrics.co.nz/christchurch-city/tourism/gdp?compare=new-zealand |access-date=21 April 2024 |archive-date=21 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421020112/https://rep.infometrics.co.nz/christchurch-city/tourism/gdp?compare=new-zealand |url-status=live }} The largest category of tourism expenditure in 2023 was sales at $780m (31.6% of total tourism spending). The next highest category was passenger transport, at $392.5M (15.9% of total).{{cite web |title=Regional Economic Profile – Christchurch City – 2023 Tourism expenditure by category |url=https://rep.infometrics.co.nz/christchurch-city/tourism/expenditure-by-category |access-date=21 April 2024 |archive-date=21 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421020113/https://rep.infometrics.co.nz/christchurch-city/tourism/expenditure-by-category |url-status=live }}

===Gateway to the Antarctic===

The city began its long history as an Antarctic gateway in 1901, when the Discovery Expedition left from Lyttelton.{{sfn|Rice|2008|p=60}}{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Antarctica and New Zealand – The heroic age of Antarctic exploration |encyclopedia=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |last=Roberts |first=Nigel |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/37143/leaving-lyttelton-harbour-1901 |access-date=25 April 2024 |date=20 June 2012 |archive-date=25 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425001113/https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/37143/leaving-lyttelton-harbour-1901 |url-status=live }} Robert Falcon Scott's second departure from Christchurch in 1910 would be his last; he died as part of the Terra Nova Expedition.{{Cite news |title=Hands-on history: Step aboard Scotland's RSS Discovery ship |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/hands-on-history-step-aboard-scotlands-rss-discovery-ship/S2GWX4UETDXU3O3N3S3AELQYAE/ |last=Hammond |first=Julia |date=24 November 2021 |access-date=24 April 2024 |work=The New Zealand Herald |archive-date=24 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424001641/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/hands-on-history-step-aboard-scotlands-rss-discovery-ship/S2GWX4UETDXU3O3N3S3AELQYAE/ |url-status=live }} The city mourned his death, and a memorial statue of him was unveiled in 1917.{{sfn|Rice|2008|p=73}}{{Cite news |title=Quake-damaged Captain Scott statue repaired |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/341026/quake-damaged-captain-scott-statue-repaired |last=Church |first=Logan |date=7 October 2017 |access-date=24 April 2024 |work=Radio New Zealand |archive-date=23 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423224447/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/341026/quake-damaged-captain-scott-statue-repaired |url-status=live }} The International Antarctic Centre provides both base facilities and a museum and visitor centre focused upon current Antarctic activities. The United States Navy and United States Air National Guard, augmented by the New Zealand and Australian air forces, use Christchurch Airport as the take-off point for the main supply route to McMurdo and Scott Bases in Antarctica. The Clothing Distribution Center in Christchurch had more than 140,000 pieces of extreme cold weather gear for issue to nearly 2,000 United States Antarctic Program participants in the 2007–08 season.{{Cite web |title=Looking good in the Antarctic |work=Clothing Distribution Center in Christchurch, New Zealand, outfits USAP participants for the trip south |publisher=The Antarctic Sun |date=10 January 2008 |url=http://antarcticsun.usap.gov/features/contentHandler.cfm?id=1309 |access-date=13 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110910162658/http://antarcticsun.usap.gov/features/contentHandler.cfm?id=1309 |archive-date=10 September 2011 |url-status=live }}

File:CanterburyProvincialCouncilBuildings1 gobeirne.jpg

Christchurch's local government is a democracy with various elements, including:

• Christchurch City Council, comprising the Mayor of Christchurch, and 16 councillors elected in 16 wards: Spreydon, Cashmere, Halswell, Riccarton, Hornby, Fendalton, Waimairi, Papanui, Innes, Central, Linwood, Heathcote, Harewood, Burwood, Coastal, and Banks Peninsula.
• Community boards, currently six, typically covering 3 wards with 2 members elected, and one councillor appointed from each (9 members): Waihoro Spreydon-Cashmere-Heathcote, Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central, Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton, Waimāero Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood, Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood; the exception to this rule being the one covering Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū Banks Peninsula where all members are elected from 4 subdivisions within the Banks Peninsula Ward (Akaroa, Mount Herbert, Lyttelton, Wairewa) alongside the Ward Councillor.
• District councils in surrounding areas: Selwyn, and Waimakariri. The Banks Peninsula district council was amalgamated into Christchurch City in March 2006 after a vote by the Banks Peninsula residents to disestablish in November 2005.
• Canterbury Regional Council, known as 'Environment Canterbury', including four Christchurch constituencies with two members from each constituency.[http://www.ecan.govt.nz/home/ Environment Canterbury] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050308121002/http://www.ecan.govt.nz/home |date=8 March 2005}} (official regional council website)
• Prior to the disestablishment of the district health board model during the 2022 local elections, elections were also held for the Canterbury District Health Board, with five members for Christchurch.Canterbury District Health Board {{Cite web |url=http://www.cdhb.govt.nz/ |title=HealthFirst – the Canterbury District Health Board gateway to health information for everyone |access-date=14 February 2005 |archive-date=12 February 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050212105258/http://www.cdhb.govt.nz/ |url-status=live}} (official district health board website)

Some of the local governments in Canterbury and the NZ Transport Agency have created the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy to facilitate future urban planning.{{Cite web |url=http://www.greaterchristchurch.org.nz/ |title=Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy |access-date=28 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100604221819/http://www.greaterchristchurch.org.nz/ |archive-date=4 June 2010 |url-status=live }}

Christchurch is covered by seven general electorates ({{NZ electorate link|Banks Peninsula}}, {{NZ electorate link|Christchurch Central}}, {{NZ electorate link|Christchurch East}}, {{NZ electorate link|Ilam}}, {{NZ electorate link|Selwyn}}, {{NZ electorate link|Waimakariri}} and {{NZ electorate link|Wigram}}) and one Māori electorate (Te Tai Tonga),{{Cite web |title=Find my electorate |url=http://www.elections.org.nz/voters/find-my-electorate |publisher=Electoral Commission |access-date=29 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107104824/http://www.elections.org.nz/voters/find-my-electorate |archive-date=7 January 2016 |url-status=live }} each returning one member to the New Zealand House of Representatives. As of the 2023 New Zealand general election there are four general electorate members of the National party and three members of the Labour party. The Māori electorate is represented by Te Pāti Māori.

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File:ChristchurchBasilica gobeirne.jpg, damaged by the 2011 earthquake and subsequently demolished]]

The architecture of Christchurch has been said to be distinctly English; however, it contains various European elements, with strong Gothic Revival architecture.{{Cite news |title=Your vision for Christchurch: Keep the neo-Gothic flavour |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff-nation/8080176/Your-vision-for-Christchurch-Keep-the-neo-Gothic-flavour |last=Naber |first=Mark |date=1 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216080018/http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff-nation/8080176/Your-vision-for-Christchurch-Keep-the-neo-Gothic-flavour |archive-date=16 December 2012 |access-date=25 April 2024 |work=Stuff }} As early settlers of New Zealand, Māori culture is also prevalent in the city. It features many public open spaces and parks, river beds and cafés and restaurants situated in the city centre and surrounding suburbs.{{Example needed|date=May 2023}}

Historically, most cinemas were grouped around Cathedral Square.[http://www.canterburyfilmsociety.org.nz/localcinemas/regent.html Regent Theatre] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928010333/http://www.canterburyfilmsociety.org.nz/localcinemas/regent.html |date=28 September 2007}} [1930–1976] (from the Canterbury Film Society website)

One of the first generation of suburban cinemas still operating as a cinema, the Hollywood in Sumner, operated from 1938 until 2022; before closing to be refurbished and becoming part of the Silky Otter cinema chain{{cite news |title=Oldest cinema in Christchurch getting new lease of life |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-christchurch/oldest-cinema-christchurch-getting-new-lease-life |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240320110842/https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-christchurch/oldest-cinema-christchurch-getting-new-lease-life |archive-date=20 March 2024 |access-date=20 March 2024 |work=Star News }} which also runs a cinema in Wigram. The largest multiplexes were the Hoyts 8 in the old railway station on Moorhouse Avenue (now replaced by EntX){{Cite news |title=New Hoyts multiplex seen as big boost for central Christchurch |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/106988919/new-hoyts-multiplex-seen-as-big-boost-for-central-christchurch |last=McDonald |first=Liz |date=11 September 2018 |access-date=22 April 2024 |work=Stuff |archive-date=30 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030030108/https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/106988919/new-hoyts-multiplex-seen-as-big-boost-for-central-christchurch |url-status=live }} and Reading Cinemas (also eight screens) in the Palms Shopping Centre in Shirley. Hoyts in Riccarton opened in 2005{{Cite web |url=http://www.canterburyfilmsociety.org.nz/localcinemas/westfield.html |title=Hoyts Riccarton [2005 – ] |publisher=Canterbury Film Society |access-date=14 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302105105/http://www.canterburyfilmsociety.org.nz/localcinemas/westfield.html |archive-date=2 March 2008 |url-status=live }} with one of its screens for a time holding the record for the largest in New Zealand.

The Rialto Cinemas on Moorhouse avenue specialised in international films and art house productions. The Rialto also hosted the majority of the city's various film festivals and was home to the local film society. The Rialto was closed following the February 2011 earthquake.

The Alice Cinema first operated as a specialised video store, now has two screens and a comprehensive library foreign films, documentaries, cult and arthouse films to rent.{{cite news |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/119051483/film-buffs-buy-christchurchs-alice-dvd-store-and-cinema |title=Film buffs buy Christchurch's Alice DVD store and cinema |publisher=Stuff |first=Charlie |last=Gates |date=28 January 2020 |access-date=8 April 2024 |archive-date=8 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408044435/https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/119051483/film-buffs-buy-christchurchs-alice-dvd-store-and-cinema |url-status=live }}

The Canterbury Film Society is active in the city, operating every Monday evening from the Christchurch Art Gallery.{{Cite web |url=http://www.canterburyfilmsociety.org.nz/localcinemas/westfield.html |title=Canterbury Film Society |publisher=Canterbury Film Society |access-date=22 May 2023 |archive-date=2 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302105105/http://www.canterburyfilmsociety.org.nz/localcinemas/westfield.html |url-status=dead }}

The Peter Jackson film Heavenly Creatures (1994), starring Melanie Lynskey and Kate Winslet, was set in Christchurch.Synopsis. [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110005/synopsis?ref_=ttpl_pl_syn Retrieved 4 October 2015.] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107104824/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110005/synopsis?ref_=ttpl_pl_syn |date=7 January 2016 }}

File:Pond in front of Rock Garden in Christchurch Botanic Gardens.jpg]]

Christchurch has been described as The Garden City because of the large number of public parks and well-developed residential gardens with many trees. A British lawyer John Eldon Gorst, stated that Christchurch reminded him of the garden cities in England, and he called it as such.[http://www.ccc.govt.nz/Parks/GardenCity/ Christchurch, the Garden City] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050828143324/http://ccc.govt.nz/Parks/GardenCity/ |date=28 August 2005}} (from the Christchurch City Council website){{Cite news |title=Does Christchurch still deserve the title of the Garden City? |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/128380003/does-christchurch-still-deserve-the-title-of-the-garden-city |last=Merton |first=Georgia |date=18 April 2022 |access-date=14 April 2024 |work=Stuff |archive-date=14 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114204137/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/128380003/does-christchurch-still-deserve-the-title-of-the-garden-city |url-status=live }} Hagley Park and the {{convert|33|ha|acre|abbr=off|adj=on}} Christchurch Botanic Gardens, founded in 1863,{{Cite encyclopedia |title=The oldest public gardens |encyclopedia=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |last=Wassilieff |first=Maggy |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/public-gardens/page-2 |access-date=14 April 2024 |date=4 November 2008 |archive-date=6 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106083055/https://teara.govt.nz/en/public-gardens/page-2 |url-status=live }} are in the central city, which is an active habitat for kererū.{{Cite web |url=https://newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/kereru-numbers-take-off-in-the-city |title=Kererū numbers take off in the city |date=15 January 2019 |access-date=25 April 2024 |publisher=Christchurch City Council |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203145732/https://newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/kereru-numbers-take-off-in-the-city |archive-date=3 February 2020 |url-status=live }} The Hagley Oval is a popular cricket field. Other sports such as association football, and rugby are popular in Hagley Park, and open-air concerts by local bands and orchestras.{{Cite news |title=Live music, fireworks and kites to see out Christchurch's summer |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/live-music-fireworks-and-kites-to-see-out-christchurchs-summer/VD63JPFG4FEPRGFVQFEDRTSJI4/ |date=8 January 2024 |access-date=25 April 2024 |work=The New Zealand Herald |archive-date=24 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424233219/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/live-music-fireworks-and-kites-to-see-out-christchurchs-summer/VD63JPFG4FEPRGFVQFEDRTSJI4/ |url-status=live }} North Hagley Park is known for its cherry blossoms, planted along Harper Avenue on Arbor Day in 1936.{{Cite web |date=14 September 2017 |title=Blossoms bring spring smiles |url=https://newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/blossoms-bring-spring-smiles |access-date=24 April 2024 |website=Newsline |language=en-GB |archive-date=24 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424235010/https://newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/blossoms-bring-spring-smiles |url-status=live }} During the flowering season the trees are popular with visitors.{{Cite web |last=Downes |first=Siobhan |date=21 September 2023 |title=The best places to see cherry blossoms in New Zealand in 2023 |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/destinations/nz/300677644/the-best-places-to-see-cherry-blossoms-in-new-zealand-in-2022 |access-date=24 April 2024 |website=Stuff |archive-date=19 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220919075112/https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/destinations/nz/300677644/the-best-places-to-see-cherry-blossoms-in-new-zealand-in-2022 |url-status=live }}

To the east lies Rāwhiti Domain, in New Brighton, and to the north lies Spencer Park. And there are many inner city urban parks such as, Latimer Square, Cranmer Square, and Victoria Square.{{sfn|Wilson|2005|pp=103–109}} To the north of the city is the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. Travis Wetland, an ecological restoration programme to create a wetland, many native plants and birdlife thrive there, notably royal spoonbills and spotless crake{{Cite news |title=Twenty royal spoonbills spotted nesting in tree on Christchurch island |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/130956757/twenty-royal-spoonbills-spotted-nesting-in-tree-on-christchurch-island |last=MacDuff |first=Keiller |date=1 February 2023 |access-date=25 April 2024 |work=Stuff |archive-date=24 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424231405/https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/130956757/twenty-royal-spoonbills-spotted-nesting-in-tree-on-christchurch-island |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/rare-bird-caught-on-camera-at-travis-wetland |title=Rare bird caught on camera at Travis Wetland |date=22 December 2016 |access-date=25 April 2024 |publisher=Christchurch City Council |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224022029/https://newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/rare-bird-caught-on-camera-at-travis-wetland |archive-date=24 February 2021 |url-status=live }} and recent plantings of fork-leaved sundew.{{Cite news |title=New Brighton a 'mini-holiday town' during nor'wester |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-lifestyle/star-travel/new-brighton-mini-holiday-town-during-nor%E2%80%99wester |date=19 January 2024 |access-date=25 April 2024 |work=Star News |archive-date=24 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424231405/https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-lifestyle/star-travel/new-brighton-mini-holiday-town-during-nor%E2%80%99wester |url-status=live }} It is located to the east of the city centre near the suburb of Burwood and North New Brighton. There has been recent work to restore Papanui Bush, it began in 2018, with recent plantings of native wildlife such as rimu and tōtara to restore this area like it was pre-European urbanisation.{{Cite news |title=Restoring nature: Man's mission to return a Christchurch reserve back to bush |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/128657417/restoring-nature-mans-mission-to-return-a-christchurch-reserve-back-to-bush |last=Harvie |first=Will |date=26 April 2024 |access-date=19 May 2022 |work=Stuff |archive-date=19 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519000321/https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/128657417/restoring-nature-mans-mission-to-return-a-christchurch-reserve-back-to-bush |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/papanui-goes-bush-after-160-years |title=Papanui goes bush after 160 years |date=13 April 2018 |access-date=26 April 2024 |publisher=Christchurch City Council |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029022151/https://newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/papanui-goes-bush-after-160-years |archive-date=29 October 2020 |url-status=live }}

Orana Wildlife Park is New Zealand's only open-range zoo, sitting on 80 hectares of land, located on the outskirts of Christchurch.{{Cite web |title=Open Range Zoo, Christchurch NZ {{!}} Orana Wildlife Park |url=https://www.oranawildlifepark.co.nz/ |access-date=13 January 2021 |publisher=Orana Wildlife Park |archive-date=19 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119232036/https://www.oranawildlifepark.co.nz/ |url-status=live }}

File:Theatre Royal, Christchurch, New Zealand.jpg

Christchurch has a long history with performing arts, dating back to December 1861, when the first theatre opened on the current site of The Press building on Gloucester Street.{{Cite news |title=Our Kiwi Home: A theatre with a history |url=https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/350190724/our-kiwi-home-theatre-history |last=Walton |first=Mark |date=6 April 2024 |access-date=14 April 2024 |work=The Press |archive-date=29 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429001701/https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/350190724/our-kiwi-home-theatre-history |url-status=live }} Across the road from that building is the Isaac Theatre Royal, originally opened in 1863, and has since been rebuilt four times, most recently the building was moderately damaged following the 2011 earthquake.{{Cite web |url=http://isaactheatreroyal.co.nz/our-history/theatre-history/ |title=Isaac Theatre Royal – History |access-date=23 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113083401/http://isaactheatreroyal.co.nz/our-history/theatre-history/ |archive-date=13 January 2015 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite news |title=Isaac Theatre Royal: Despair to repair |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/art-and-stage/10698938/Isaac-Theatre-Royal-Despair-to-repair |date=5 November 2014 |access-date=17 April 2024 |work=Stuff |archive-date=14 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114000726/http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/art-and-stage/10698938/Isaac-Theatre-Royal-Despair-to-repair |url-status=live }} The Isaac Theatre Royal reopened to the public on 17 November 2014.

Christchurch has one full-time professional theatre, the Court Theatre,[http://www.courttheatre.org.nz Court Theatre] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991109002959/http://www.courttheatre.org.nz/html/98_season.html |date=9 November 1999}} (from the official Court Theatre website){{Cite news |title=Why does the Court Theatre drama matter? |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/pop-culture/02-10-2023/why-does-the-court-theatre-drama-matter |last=Brooks |first=Sam |date=2 October 2023 |access-date=24 April 2024 |work=The Spinoff |archive-date=6 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231206133402/https://thespinoff.co.nz/pop-culture/02-10-2023/why-does-the-court-theatre-drama-matter |url-status=live }} founded in 1971. Originally based in the Christchurch Arts Centre, the Court Theatre has been located in the suburb of Addington in temporary accommodation following the 2011 earthquakes.{{Cite news |title=Court Theatre's building and land in Addington sold for development |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/129120478/court-theatres-building-and-land-in-addington-sold-for-development |last=Gates |first=Charlie |date=29 June 2022 |access-date=14 April 2024 |work=Stuff |archive-date=5 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705014911/https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/129120478/court-theatres-building-and-land-in-addington-sold-for-development |url-status=live }} Construction of a new premises located in the Performing Arts Precinct is due to be complete in 2025.{{Cite news |title=Court Theatre build takes centre stage |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-south-today/court-theatre-build-takes-centre-stage |date=15 June 2023 |access-date=14 April 2024 |work=Star News |archive-date=20 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230620135400/https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-south-today/court-theatre-build-takes-centre-stage |url-status=live }}

The Free Theatre Christchurch was established in 1979 and based in the Arts Centre from 1982,{{Cite web |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/actors-and-acting/page-3 |title=3. – Actors and acting – Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |work=Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |access-date=30 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906024049/http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/actors-and-acting/page-3 |archive-date=6 September 2014 |url-status=live }} and Showbiz Christchurch, an incorporated society established in 1938 and primarily producing musical theatre.{{Cite web |title=About Showbiz Christchurch |url=https://www.showbiz.org.nz/about-showbiz/ |access-date=26 September 2022 |website=www.showbiz.org.nz |archive-date=26 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926080151/https://www.showbiz.org.nz/about-showbiz/ |url-status=dead }}{{Cite news |title=Actress to take on a top role in Christchurch show business |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-christchurch/actress-take-top-role-christchurch-show-business |last=O'Connor-Harding |first=Georgia |date=25 November 2024 |access-date=16 April 2024 |work=Star News |archive-date=16 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416190554/https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-christchurch/actress-take-top-role-christchurch-show-business |url-status=live }} There is also an active recreational theatre scene with community-based theatre companies, such as the Christchurch Repertory Society,{{Cite web |url=http://www.repertory.co.nz/ |title=Christchurch Repertory |publisher=Repertory.co.nz |access-date=23 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724194140/http://www.repertory.co.nz/ |archive-date=24 July 2011 |url-status=live }} Elmwood Players,{{cite web |url=http://www.elmwood-players.org.nz/ |title=Elmwood Players |publisher=Elmwood Players |access-date=23 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204061039/http://www.elmwood-players.org.nz/ |archive-date=4 December 2010 |url-status=live }} Riccarton Players,{{Cite web |url=http://www.riccartonplayers.com |title=Riccarton Players |publisher=Riccarton Players |access-date=4 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105091702/http://www.riccartonplayers.com/ |archive-date=5 November 2013 |url-status=live }} and Canterbury Children's Theatre,{{Cite web |author-first=Peter |author-last=Rivers |url=http://www.malthouse.co.nz/ |title=Canterbury Children's Theatre |publisher=Malthouse.co.nz |access-date=23 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219012153/http://www.malthouse.co.nz/ |archive-date=19 February 2011 |url-status=live }} producing many quality shows.

The city is known for its many live acts,{{Cite web |url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0804/S00312.htm |title=Celebrating Christchurch Music in NZ Music Month |publisher=Scoop |access-date=14 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104232943/http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0804/S00312.htm |archive-date=4 January 2012 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://nzmusic.org.nz/nz-music-month/ |title=NZ Music Month |publisher=New Zealand Music Commission |access-date=3 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615041308/http://nzmusic.org.nz/nz-music-month/ |archive-date=15 June 2012 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.nzmusicmonth.co.nz/ |title=Homepage • New Zealand Music Month, May 2019 |website=www.nzmusicmonth.co.nz |access-date=3 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508130816/http://www.nzmusicmonth.co.nz/ |archive-date=8 May 2012 |url-status=live }} including a professional symphony orchestra.[http://www.christchurchsymphony.co.nz Christchurch Symphony] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121184537/http://christchurchsymphony.co.nz/ |date=21 January 2019}} (from the official Christchurch Symphony Orchestra website) After the closure of Canterbury Opera in 2006, due to financial reasons, in 2009 another professional opera company, Southern Opera, was founded. After the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes, it suspended its activities, before merging with New Zealand Opera in 2013.{{Cite web |url=https://www.noted.co.nz/archive/archive-listener-nz-2013/opera-returns-to-christchurch |access-date=24 November 2019 |title=Opera returns to Christchurch |archive-date=21 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421074255/https://www.noted.co.nz/archive/archive-listener-nz-2013/opera-returns-to-christchurch |url-status=dead }}

Christchurch is a home for the experimental music scene of New Zealand.

There are usually buskers around the town square, and Christchurch also hosts the World Buskers Festival in January each year.{{Cite news |last1=Gates |first1=Charlie |title=Make or break year for Christchurch's World Buskers Festival |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/100608669/make-or-break-year-for-christchurchs-world-buskers-festival |work=Stuff |access-date=13 August 2019 |language=en-NZ |date=16 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812185819/https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/100608669/make-or-break-year-for-christchurchs-world-buskers-festival |archive-date=12 August 2019 |url-status=live }} Singer-songwriter Hayley Westenra launched her international career by busking in Christchurch.{{Cite news |title=Hayley Westenra biography out |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/2744/Hayley-Westenra-biography-out |access-date=12 August 2019 |work=Stuff |date=31 January 2009 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812185818/http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/2744/Hayley-Westenra-biography-out |archive-date=12 August 2019 |url-status=live }}

Some of New Zealand's acts, such as Shapeshifter, Ladi6, Tiki Taane and Truth are from Christchurch. Promoters, Venues and clubs such as Bassfreaks, The Bedford and Dux Live regularly have international, and New Zealand acts within the Drum and Bass scene performing live in Christchurch, along with dance parties, raves and gigs all featuring NZ and local Drum and Bass DJs, with often two or three happening on a single night or weekend (e.g. 2010 when UK Dubstep DJ Doctor P with Crushington was playing at The Bedford, while simultaneously Concord Dawn featuring Trei and Bulletproof was playing at Ministry).{{Citation needed|date=August 2015}}

In recent developments, hip hop has effectively landed in Christchurch.{{Cite news |title=Christchurch hip hop teen duo going international |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/10/12/christchurch-hip-hop-teen-duo-going-international/ |date=12 October 2023 |access-date=14 April 2024 |work=1News |archive-date=29 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429001703/https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/10/12/christchurch-hip-hop-teen-duo-going-international/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=Global superstars bring hip-hop and R&B culture to Christchurch |url=https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/350141098/global-superstars-bring-hip-hop-and-rb-culture-christchurch |last=Harris |first=Dominic |date=3 January 2024 |access-date=14 April 2024 |work=The Press |archive-date=29 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429002806/https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/350141098/global-superstars-bring-hip-hop-and-rb-culture-christchurch |url-status=live }} In 2000, First Aotearoa Hip Hop Summit was held there.{{Cite news |title=Dawn Raid: Making hip hop history |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/the-wireless/371307/dawn-raid-making-hip-hop-history |last=Wicks |first=Sam |date=11 April 2014 |access-date=14 April 2024 |work=Radio New Zealand |archive-date=30 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130105614/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/the-wireless/371307/dawn-raid-making-hip-hop-history |url-status=live }} And in 2003, Christchurch's Scribe released his debut album in New Zealand and has received five times platinum in that country, in addition to achieving two number one singles.Henderson, April K. "Dancing Between Islands: Hip Hop and the Samoan Diaspora." In The Vinyl Ain't Final: Hip Hop and the Globalization of Black Popular Culture, ed. by Dipannita Basu and Sidney J. Lemelle, 180–199. London; Ann Arbor, MI: Pluto Press, 2000{{Cite web |url=http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Study/9077/hiphoptimeline.html |title=Aotearoa hiphop timeline |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091020215429/http://geocities.com/SoHo/Study/9077/hiphoptimeline.html |archive-date=20 October 2009 |url-status=dead }}

Since 2015 the city has hosted Electric Avenue, a two-day music festival in Hagley Park which is the largest held in Australasia.{{Cite web |title=Stuff |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/culture/360590681/review-electric-avenue-has-put-christchurch-back-map-and-world-notice |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Stuff }} Taking place annually in February, the festival hosts international and domestic acts, such as Lorde, The Chemical Brothers, and The Prodigy being amongst recent headliners.

File:Christchurch Town Hall of the Performing Arts, New Zealand.jpg (2019)]]

Situated in Addington, the Wolfbrook Arena is the city's major multipurpose indoor arena.{{citation|title=Wolfbrook Property Group pays undisclosed sum to rename Christchurch Arena|language=en|work=The Press |url-access=subscription|first1=Liz|last1=McDonald|date=2023-05-24|access-date=2024-10-11|url=https://www.thepress.co.nz/a/nz-news/350014329/wolfbrook-property-group-pays-undisclosed-sum-rename-christchurch-arena}}{{citation|title=Wolfbrook Arena|language=en|work=Venues Ōtautahi|access-date=2024-10-11|url=https://www.venuesotautahi.co.nz/hire/wolfbrook-arena}} The venue has capacity for nearly 9000 people when configured for concerts. In sports, it is one of the home venues of the Mainland Tactix netball side{{citation|title=Tactix – Team History|work=ANZ Premiership Netball|access-date=2024-10-11|url=https://anzpremiership.co.nz/premiership/teams/tactix.html}} and was the venue for the 1999 World Netball championships.{{citation|title=Christchurch 1999|language=en-US|work=World Netball|date=2018-07-06|access-date=2024-10-11|url=https://netball.sport/events-and-results/netball-world-cup/christchurch-1999/}}

The Christchurch Town Hall auditorium opened in September 1972, it was the first major auditorium design by architects Warren and Mahoney and acousticians Marshall Day.{{Cite news |first=Phillip |last=Matthews |date=19 April 2021 |title=1972: The 'magnificent' Town Hall |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/124859468/1972-the-magnificent-town-hall |access-date=22 April 2024 |website=Stuff |language=en |archive-date=13 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213103521/https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/124859468/1972-the-magnificent-town-hall |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=The Single Object: The brutal beauty of Christchurch Town Hall's concrete |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/partner/18-01-2022/the-single-object-the-brutal-beauty-of-christchurch-town-halls-concrete |last=Halliday |first=Jessica |date=18 January 2022 |access-date=14 April 2024 |work=The Spinoff |archive-date=19 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220919214444/https://thespinoff.co.nz/partner/18-01-2022/the-single-object-the-brutal-beauty-of-christchurch-town-halls-concrete |url-status=live }} It is still recognised as a model example of concert-hall design with an excellent modern pipe organ.{{Cite news |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/concert/programmes/upbeat/audio/2018685157/martin-setchell-brings-the-magnificent-christchurch-town-hall-organ-back-to-life |title=Martin Setchell brings the magnificent Christchurch Town Hall organ back to life |date=5 March 2019 |access-date=14 April 2024 |publisher=Radio New Zealand |archive-date=29 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429002807/https://www.rnz.co.nz/concert/programmes/upbeat/audio/2018685157/martin-setchell-brings-the-magnificent-christchurch-town-hall-organ-back-to-life |url-status=live }} The hall was reopened on 23 February 2019, after being closed for eight years for repair after the significant damage caused by the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake.{{Cite news |title=Town Hall finally ready to meet its Chch public after years of restoration and a $167m overhaul |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/canterbury-top-stories/110770739/town-hall-finally-ready-to-meet-its-chch-public-after-years-of-restoration-and-a-167m-overhaul |last=Gates |first=Charlie |date=21 February 2019 |access-date=14 April 2024 |work=Stuff |archive-date=31 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831175348/https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/canterbury-top-stories/110770739/town-hall-finally-ready-to-meet-its-chch-public-after-years-of-restoration-and-a-167m-overhaul |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=Changing South: Christchurch's Town Hall reopens |url=https://newsroom.co.nz/2019/12/22/changing-south-christchurchs-town-hall-reopens/ |date=22 December 2024 |access-date=14 April 2024 |work=Newsroom |archive-date=29 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429002705/https://newsroom.co.nz/2019/12/22/changing-south-christchurchs-town-hall-reopens/ |url-status=live }}

Christchurch also has a casino,{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Canterbury region – Industry |encyclopedia=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |last=Wilson |first=John |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/10333/christchurch-casino |access-date=29 April 2024 |date=27 July 2015 |archive-date=29 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429085013/https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/10333/christchurch-casino |url-status=live }} and there are also a wide range of live music venues{{Cite web |url=http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Music/New-Zealand/Christchurch/ |title=Christchurch's music scene/venues |publisher=Christchurch City Libraries |access-date=3 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518040151/http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Music/New-Zealand/Christchurch/ |archive-date=18 May 2012 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.christchurchmusic.org.nz |title=Christchurch Live Music |publisher=Christchurch Music Industry Trust |access-date=14 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171220184915/http://www.christchurchmusic.org.nz/ |archive-date=20 December 2017 |url-status=dead }} – some short-lived, others with decades of history. Classical music concerts were held at the Christchurch Music Centre until it was demolished as a result of earthquake damage. The Piano was built to offer a variety of performance spaces for music and the arts.{{Cite web |title=The Piano |url=https://thepiano.nz/ |access-date=13 October 2020 |website=thepiano.nz |archive-date=18 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018040636/https://thepiano.nz/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=Christchurch's $16.8m music venue The Piano ready for August opening |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/80810200/newest-music-venue-filling-up |last=McDonald |first=Liz |date=6 June 2016 |access-date=19 April 2024 |work=Stuff |archive-date=19 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419105031/https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/80810200/newest-music-venue-filling-up |url-status=live }}

In late 2014 it was announced that a 475 million dollar project was underway to build a convention centre located on the block defined by Armagh Street, Oxford Terrace, Worcester Street and Colombo Street.{{Cite news |title=Christchurch's multimillion-dollar convention centre to open to the public |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/128920064/christchurchs-multimilliondollar-convention-centre-to-open-to-the-public |last=Naish |first=Joanne |date=10 June 2022 |access-date=29 April 2024 |work=Stuff |archive-date=11 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611160431/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/128920064/christchurchs-multimilliondollar-convention-centre-to-open-to-the-public |url-status=live }} Gloucester Street becomes part of the Centre itself, but allows for retail use and public access. The convention centre, now called Te Pae, hosts several events at the same time; starting with space for up to 2,000 people, this complements facilities in Auckland and Queenstown. Te Pae opened on 17 December 2021.{{Cite news |last=McDonald |first=Liz |date=26 November 2021 |title=Ceremonial opening for Te Pae convention centre before Christmas |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/127116045/ceremonial-opening-for-te-pae-convention-centre-before-christmas |access-date=13 September 2022 |work=Stuff |language=en |archive-date=13 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913061936/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/127116045/ceremonial-opening-for-te-pae-convention-centre-before-christmas |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Hayward |first1=Michael |title=Christchurch convention centre now known as Te Pae |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/business/the-rebuild/104319184/christchurch-convention-centre-now-known-as-te-pae |access-date=29 April 2024 |work=Stuff |date=30 May 2018 |archive-date=21 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210221175035/https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/business/the-rebuild/104319184/christchurch-convention-centre-now-known-as-te-pae |url-status=live }}

In 2012, in the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan, it was announced there will be a replacement for Lancaster Park. Construction started on a new stadium in 2022 and is due to be complete in April 2026.{{Cite news |title=New Crusaders' coach 'emotional' over construction of new stadium in Christchurch |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/497132/new-crusaders-coach-emotional-over-construction-of-new-stadium-in-christchurch |last=Burns |first=Adam |date=2 September 2023 |access-date=18 April 2024 |work=Radio New Zealand |archive-date=17 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417234525/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/497132/new-crusaders-coach-emotional-over-construction-of-new-stadium-in-christchurch |url-status=live }}

Christchurch had a biennial Festival of Transitional Architecture (FESTA) from 2012 to 2018 founded by architectural historian Jessica Halliday.{{Cite web |title=Jessica Halliday |url=https://planning.org.nz/PersonProfile?Action=View&PersonProfile_id=1010354 |access-date=31 May 2023 |website=New Zealand Planning Institute |archive-date=31 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531103301/https://planning.org.nz/PersonProfile?Action=View&PersonProfile_id=1010354 |url-status=live }} This has turned into an annual festival of architecture events called Open Christchurch since 2019 run by Te Pūtahi Centre for Architecture and City Making.{{Cite web |title=Open Christchurch {{!}} Discover your city through architecture |url=https://openchch.nz/ |access-date=31 May 2023 |website=Open Christchurch |language=en-NZ |archive-date=31 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531110314/https://openchch.nz/ |url-status=live }} Word Christchurch is a long running literary festival, the director in 2023 is Steph Walker.{{Cite web |title=About WORD |url=https://wordchristchurch.co.nz/about-word/ |access-date=31 May 2023 |archive-date=31 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531110816/https://wordchristchurch.co.nz/about-word/ |url-status=live }}

{{main|Sport in Christchurch}}

File:Horncastle_Arena,_Christchurch,_New_Zealand.jpg under old signage, in August 2019]]

Sport in Christchurch has developed from the time of the initial settlement of Canterbury by British migrants, and remains an important part of community life. Cricket and rugby union have been popular team sports since the early years of settlement, with the first cricket club established in the city in 1851, and the first rugby club in 1863. Interest in organised sports has diversified and now includes a wide range of codes.{{cite web |last=Wilson |first=John |date=6 July 2015 |title=Canterbury region – Sport and leisure |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/canterbury-region/page-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615024331/https://teara.govt.nz/en/canterbury-region/page-16 |archive-date=15 June 2024 |access-date=4 July 2024 |website=Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand }} In 2022, the top five sporting codes in Canterbury based on club membership were netball, touch rugby, rugby union, golf and cricket.{{Cite web |title=2022 Sport Report |url=https://www.sportcanterbury.org.nz/asset/downloadasset?id=db08f97f-a4bd-4224-a09e-6cdbdad79ebf |access-date=6 December 2024 |website=Sport Canterbury |page=17 |archive-date=12 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240712032512/https://www.sportcanterbury.org.nz/asset/downloadasset?id=db08f97f-a4bd-4224-a09e-6cdbdad79ebf |url-status=live }}

There are around 1,200 sports clubs and associations,{{Cite web |title=Sports associations |url=https://ccc.govt.nz/rec-and-sport/sports-grounds/sports-associations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510193037/https://www.ccc.govt.nz/rec-and-sport/sports-grounds/sports-associations |archive-date=10 May 2024 |access-date=3 July 2024 |website=Christchurch City Council |language=en-GB }} and in 2022 there were 140,000 affiliated members. Most of the sporting codes remain amateur, and rely upon volunteers as administrators and officials.{{Sfn|Wilson|2013|p=293}} However, there are some professional teams. Notable teams representing Christchurch or the Canterbury region include the Mainland Tactix (netball), Crusaders (rugby) and the Canterbury Kings (cricket).

The city has hosted many international competitions including championship events. A particularly notable international event held in Christchurch was the 1974 Commonwealth Games.

There are many outdoor sportsgrounds and a variety of indoor venues. Christchurch City Council maintains 110 sportsgrounds across Christchurch City and Banks Peninsula.{{Cite web |title=Sports grounds and stadiums |url=https://ccc.govt.nz/rec-and-sport/sports-grounds |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520221515/https://ccc.govt.nz/rec-and-sport/sports-grounds |archive-date=20 May 2024 |access-date=7 July 2024 |website=Christchurch City Council |language=en-GB }} A large indoor sports, exhibition and entertainment venue was constructed adjacent to the Addington Raceway in 1998. {{As of|2025}} the venue is named Wolfbrook Arena.{{cite news |date=24 May 2023 |title=New name for Christchurch Arena |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-christchurch/new-name-christchurch-arena |access-date=7 April 2025 |work=Star News}} The sports venues Lancaster Park and Queen Elizabeth II Park were damaged beyond repair in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, and were demolished.{{Sfn|Wilson|2013|p=305}} New facilities built to replace those damaged in the earthquake include the Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub,{{Cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Oliver |last2=Hayward |first2=Michael |date=21 October 2018 |title=Athletics track opening a milestone for Ngā Puna Wai sports hub |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/107998371/athletics-track-opening-a-milestone-for-ng-puna-wai-sports-hub |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802143309/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/107998371/athletics-track-opening-a-milestone-for-ng-puna-wai-sports-hub |archive-date=2 August 2020 |access-date=12 July 2024 |work=Stuff }} the Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre — an aquatic and indoor sports venue scheduled to open in 2025,{{Cite web |date=24 February 2024 |title=Troubled sports facility slowly taking shape |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-south-today/troubled-sports-facility-slowly-taking-shape |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310155032/https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-south-today/troubled-sports-facility-slowly-taking-shape |archive-date=10 March 2024 |access-date=7 July 2024 |website=Otago Daily Times |language=en }} and a multi–purpose covered stadium Te Kaha seating 30,000 spectators that is expected to be complete by April 2026.{{cite news |date=4 July 2024 |title=One New Zealand gets naming rights for new $683m Christchurch stadium |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/521262/one-new-zealand-gets-naming-rights-for-new-683m-christchurch-stadium |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240704053957/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/521262/one-new-zealand-gets-naming-rights-for-new-683m-christchurch-stadium |archive-date=4 July 2024 |access-date=4 July 2024 |work=RNZ }}

{{Further|List of schools in Christchurch}}

File:James Hight Building 003.JPG is a tertiary education provider for Christchurch]]

File:Burnside_High_School_035.JPG, one of the largest schools in Christchurch]]

Christchurch is home to the fourth-largest school in New Zealand, co-educational state school Burnside High School, with {{NZ school roll data|319|y}} pupils. Cashmere High School, Papanui High School and Riccarton High School are other large schools. There are four single-sex state schools: Shirley Boys' High School, Christchurch Boys' High School, Avonside Girls' High School and Christchurch Girls' High School.

Christchurch is also home to several single-sex private church schools, some of them of the traditional English public school type. These include St Thomas of Canterbury College, St Margaret's College, Christ's College, St Bede's College, Marian College, Catholic Cathedral College, St Andrew's College, Villa Maria College and Rangi Ruru Girls' School. Less conventional schools in the city include Ao Tawhiti, Hagley Community College, and the Christchurch Rudolf Steiner School.

A number of tertiary education institutions have campuses in Christchurch, or in the surrounding areas.

• Ara Institute of Canterbury
• Lincoln University
• University of Canterbury
• University of Otago, Christchurch

{{See also|Public transport in Christchurch}}

File:Christchurch Tram 01.jpg

File:Colombo Hereford High intersection.jpg

Private cars are the dominant form of transport in Christchurch, with 62% of commuter journeys utilising a private car, {{as of|2020|lc=y}}.{{citation|title=Greater Christchurch Regional Mode Shift Plan|date=September 2020|author=NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi|author-link=NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi|url=https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/resources/keeping-cities-moving/Christchurch-regional-mode-shift-plan.pdf|access-date=2024-10-12}} Historically, decisions on land use and infrastructure investment in Christchurch have tended to favour car travel, resulting in high adoption of cars. {{as of|2022}}, Christchurch has almost {{convert|2500|km}} of roads.{{citation|title=Street Talk: Fast Facts|language=en|work=Newsline|date=2022-01-25|access-date=2024-10-12|url=https://www.newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/street-talk-fast-facts}}{{Cite web |title=Infrastructure Strategy 2015 – 2045 |url=http://ccc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/The-Council/Plans-Strategies-Policies-Bylaws/Plans/annual-plan/InfrastructureStrategy2015-2045.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202083013/http://ccc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/The-Council/Plans-Strategies-Policies-Bylaws/Plans/annual-plan/InfrastructureStrategy2015-2045.pdf |archive-date=2 February 2018 |access-date=21 July 2018 }} The city is served by State Highways 1, 73, 74, 74A, 75 and 76. Christchurch has three motorways consisting of the Christchurch Northern Motorway (includes the Western Belfast Bypass), Christchurch Southern Motorway and the Christchurch-Lyttelton Motorway.{{Cite web |title=Frequently asked questions | NZ Transport Agency |url=https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/christchurch-motorways/christchurch-northern-corridor/faqs/#6 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721073436/https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/christchurch-motorways/christchurch-northern-corridor/faqs/#6 |archive-date=21 July 2018 |access-date=21 July 2018 |website=www.nzta.govt.nz }}{{Cite web |title=Project details | NZ Transport Agency |url=https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/christchurch-motorways/christchurch-southern-corridor/christchurch-southern-motorway-stage-2/project-details/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721073250/https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/christchurch-motorways/christchurch-southern-corridor/christchurch-southern-motorway-stage-2/project-details/ |archive-date=21 July 2018 |access-date=21 July 2018 |website=www.nzta.govt.nz }}

Christchurch has an extensive bus network, with bus routes serving most areas of the city and satellite towns. The local bus service, marketed as Metro, is provided by Environment Canterbury.{{citation|url=https://api.ecan.govt.nz/TrimPublicAPI/documents/download/5339300|title=Canterbury Regional Public Transport Plan 2025–35|author=Environment Canterbury|date=2024|access-date=2024-10-11}} The topology of the network broadly follow a spoke–hub distribution paradigm, with major routes intersecting the city and crossing at the central Christchurch Bus Interchange. Less-frequent 'connector' and 'link' services provide journeys between suburbs not on the major routes. Additionally, a service called the Orbiter connects the suburban mall hubs by running in a ring around the outside of the central city. Before the 2011 earthquakes, in addition to normal bus services, Christchurch also had a zero-fare hybrid bus service, the Shuttle, in the inner city. The service was suspended following the earthquakes.{{Cite news |date=12 November 2014 |title=City congestion demands action |work=The Press |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/63113622/city-congestion-demands-action |url-status=live |access-date=3 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513141834/http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/63113622/City-congestion-demands-action |archive-date=13 May 2015}} {{as of|2023}} public transport mode share in the Greater Christchurch area was 2.8%, with daily journeys still well-below pre-earthquake levels.

Historically, Christchurch has been known as New Zealand's cycling city,{{Cite web |date=2 May 2011 |title=About Christchurch: The Town Imagined, Victorian City 1877 – 1902 |url=http://www.janesoceania.com/newzealand_christchurch2/index.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715150442/http://www.janesoceania.com/newzealand_christchurch2/index.htm |archive-date=15 July 2012 |access-date=4 November 2013 |publisher=Janesoceania.com }} even earning the nickname "Cyclopolis" around the turn of the 20th century.{{Cite web |last=Blundell |first=Sally |date=3 July 2023 |title=Back to the Cyclopolis: Christchurch returns to its cycling city roots |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300918660/back-to-the-cyclopolis-christchurch-returns-to-its-cycling-city-roots |access-date=20 April 2024 |website=Stuff |archive-date=12 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712172611/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300918660/back-to-the-cyclopolis-christchurch-returns-to-its-cycling-city-roots |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Charles |date=31 August 2015 |title=How Christchurch used the earthquake to return the city to its cycling roots |url=https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/sep/01/christchurch-earthquake-cyclopolis-redesign-city-cyclists-pedestrians |access-date=20 April 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=20 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420075354/https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/sep/01/christchurch-earthquake-cyclopolis-redesign-city-cyclists-pedestrians |url-status=live }}{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Bicycles |encyclopedia=Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |last=McKay |first=Jamie |url=https://teara.govt.nz/mi/bicycles/print |access-date=20 April 2024 |date=11 March 2010 |archive-date=20 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420075359/https://teara.govt.nz/mi/bicycles/print |url-status=live }} Mark Twain described Christchurch in 1895 as a place "where half the people ride bicycles and the other half are kept busy dodging them".{{Cite web |date=17 November 1895 |title=Author Mark Twain Visited Christchurch – 17th November 1895 |url=https://www.peelingbackhistory.co.nz/author-mark-twain-visited-christchurch-17th-november-1895/ |access-date=13 February 2023 |website=Discover The Delights Of Peeling Back History |language=en-US |archive-date=13 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213190429/https://www.peelingbackhistory.co.nz/author-mark-twain-visited-christchurch-17th-november-1895/ |url-status=live }} The central city has very flat terrain and the Christchurch City Council has established a network of cycling infrastructure in the form of both dedicated and shared paths,{{citation|title=Christchurch City Urban Cycleways Projects | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi|language=en|work=www.nzta.govt.nz|access-date=2024-10-11|url=https://www.nzta.govt.nz/walking-cycling-and-public-transport/cycling/investing-in-cycling/urban-cycleways-programme/christchurch-urban-cycleways-programme/christchurch-city-urban-cycleways-projects/}} such as the major Northern Line Cycleway. Post-quake public consultation on rebuilding the city expressed a strong desire for a more sustainable transport system, particularly greater use of cycling; this was reflected in the council's 2012–42 strategic transport plan.{{Cite web |date=3 May 2013 |title=Christchurch Transport Strategic Plan 2012–42 |url=http://www.ccc.govt.nz/thecouncil/policiesreportsstrategies/transportplan/index.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106162337/http://www.ccc.govt.nz/thecouncil/policiesreportsstrategies/transportplan/index.aspx |archive-date=6 November 2013 |access-date=4 November 2013 |publisher=Ccc.govt.nz }} The number of cycle paths across the city has continued to increase since the earthquakes, with the roll-out of the Major Cycle Route initiative intending to create {{convert|100|km}} of cycle paths in the city.{{citation |title=Cycleways |language=en |work=Christchurch City Council |access-date=22 April 2024 |url=https://ccc.govt.nz/transport/getting-around/cycling/cycle-routes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240103063004/https://ccc.govt.nz/transport/getting-around/cycling/cycle-routes |archive-date=3 January 2024 |url-status=live }} This has contributed to a 30% increase in bicycle journeys between 2016 and 2023, with over 3.6 million cyclists detected at counting stations in a 12-month period.{{citation |title=Christchurch cycling numbers wheelie strong |language=en |work=Newsline |date=3 July 2023 |access-date=22 April 2024 |url=https://newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/christchurch-cycling-numbers-wheelie-strong |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201135845/https://newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/christchurch-cycling-numbers-wheelie-strong |archive-date=1 December 2023 |url-status=live }} Data from the 2023 census revealed Christchurch as a national leader in the adoption of cycling as commuter transport. Nearly 25% of all bicycle commuters in New Zealand live in Christchurch, with the highest levels of adoption in suburbs with robust cycle infrastructure.{{citation|title=Christchurch remains a national hub for cyclists, but which of its suburbs topped the nation?|language=en|work=The Press |url-access=subscription|first1=Charlie|last1=Mitchell|date=2024-10-04|access-date=2024-10-11|url=https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/350440529/christchurch-remains-national-hub-cyclists-which-its-suburbs-topped-nation}}

Trams were running as public transport in Christchurch as early as 1880, with the system mostly electrified beginning in 1905.{{citation|title=Christchurch tramways|language=en|work=Engineering New Zealand|access-date=2024-10-11|url=https://www.engineeringnz.org/programmes/heritage/heritage-records/christchurch-tramways/}} Routes mostly centred around Cathedral Square connecting out as far as Papanui, New Brighton and Sumner, but all had ceased operating by 1954.{{citation|title=A wheel on each corner: A history of the IPENZ Transportation Group, 1956–2006|date=2007|language=en|publisher=IPENZ Transportation Group|isbn=9780473127992|first1=Malcolm|last1=Douglass}} In 1995, the Christchurch tramway system was re-established as a tourist attraction. The tram follows a short loop around central city streets, with stops at Cathedral Square, the Arts Centre, Canterbury Museum, Victoria Square and Cathedral Junction, which is also the location of the depot. The tram tracks are owned by the Christchurch City Council, with the trams supplied, maintained and operated by the Tramways Historical Society. In 2022 the tram tracks were extended south down High Street at a cost of {{currency|3.6 million|NZD|linked=no}}, though due to an engineering issue they derailed a tram and had to be relaid.{{citation|title=$3.6 million tram extension reopens in central Christchurch|language=en|work=The Press |url-access=subscription|date=2023-11-05|access-date=2024-10-11|url=https://www.thepress.co.nz/a/nz-news/350104457/36-million-tram-extension-reopens-central-christchurch}}

There is a cable car system called the Christchurch Gondola which operates as a tourist attraction, providing transport from the Heathcote Valley to the top of Mount Cavendish in the city's south-east.

Rail services, both long-distance and commuter, used to focus on the former railway station on Moorhouse avenue. Commuter trains were progressively cancelled in the 1960s and 1970s. The last such service, between Christchurch and Rangiora, ceased in 1976. After the reduction in services, a new Christchurch railway station was established at Addington Junction. The Main North Line railway travels northwards via Kaikōura to Picton and is served by the Coastal Pacific scheduled passenger train while the Main South Line heads to Invercargill via Dunedin and was used by the Southerner until its cancellation in 2002.

The most famous train to depart Christchurch is the TranzAlpine, which travels along the Main South Line to Rolleston and then turns onto the Midland Line, passes through the Southern Alps via the Otira Tunnel, and terminates in Greymouth on the West Coast. This trip is often regarded as one of the ten great train journeys in the world for the remarkable scenery through which it passes. The TranzAlpine service is primarily a tourist service and carries no significant commuter traffic.

Christchurch Airport is located in Harewood, {{convert|12|km|mi}} to the north-west of the city centre. The airport is the second-busiest airport in New Zealand, with regular passenger services from Christchurch to sixteen New Zealand and seven international destinations.{{Cite web |title=Domestic & International Flight Routes – Christchurch Airport |url=https://www.christchurchairport.co.nz/travellers/flights/airlines/flight-routes/ |access-date=14 May 2024 |website=www.christchurchairport.co.nz |language=en-US |archive-date=14 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514093410/https://www.christchurchairport.co.nz/travellers/flights/airlines/flight-routes/ |url-status=live }} The airport serves as the major base for the New Zealand, South Korean, Italian and United States Antarctic programs.{{Cite news |title=Ōtautahi Christchurch – Our gateway to Antarctic science |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/otautahi-christchurch-our-gateway-to-antarctic-science/4DDGWMKZXB2X5ICOW77IRLHLFA/ |last=Williamson |first=Sarah |date=27 July 2022 |access-date=28 April 2024 |work=The New Zealand Herald |archive-date=28 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240428021811/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/otautahi-christchurch-our-gateway-to-antarctic-science/4DDGWMKZXB2X5ICOW77IRLHLFA/ |url-status=live }}

Christchurch has one of the highest-quality water supplies in the world, with its water rated among the purest and cleanest in the world.{{Cite news |last=Harris |first=Dominic |date=25 March 2018 |title=Safe water on tap as Christchurch swallows its pride |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/102510282/safe-water-on-tap-as-christchurch-swallows-its-pride |access-date=23 April 2024 |work=Stuff |archive-date=15 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115005123/https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/102510282/safe-water-on-tap-as-christchurch-swallows-its-pride |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=4 September 2010 |title=Community Outcomes Baseline Report |url=http://www.ccc.govt.nz/LTCCP/CommunityOutcomes/BaselineReport/Environment/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081016154738/http://www.ccc.govt.nz/LTCCP/CommunityOutcomes/BaselineReport/Environment/ |archive-date=16 October 2008 |access-date=23 February 2011 |publisher=Christchurch City Council }} Untreated, naturally filtered water is sourced, via more than 50 pumping stations surrounding the city, from aquifers emanating from the foothills of the Southern Alps.{{Cite web |date=4 September 2010 |title=Where our water comes from |url=http://www.ccc.govt.nz/homeliving/watersupply/ourwater/whereourwatercomesfrom.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618111101/http://www.ccc.govt.nz/homeliving/watersupply/ourwater/whereourwatercomesfrom.aspx |archive-date=18 June 2012 |access-date=23 February 2011 |publisher=Christchurch City Council }} However, since 2018 about 70% of Christchurch's water supply has been temporarily chlorinated due to well-head upgrades, and the chlorination is planned to be stopped after the upgrades have been completed and certified.{{Cite web |date=25 January 2018 |title=Water chlorination |url=https://ccc.govt.nz/services/water-and-drainage/water-supply/water-chlorination |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122232833/https://ccc.govt.nz/services/water-and-drainage/water-supply/water-chlorination |archive-date=22 January 2019 |access-date=1 October 2021 |publisher=Christchurch City Council }}{{Cite web |date=30 July 2018 |title=Got questions about chlorination? |url=https://newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/got-questions-about-chlorination |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200210050710/https://newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/got-questions-about-chlorination |archive-date=10 February 2020 |access-date=1 October 2021 |publisher=Christchurch City Council }}

{{further|Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant}}

File:Aerial image of Christchurch suburbs - Flickr - NZ Defence Force (3).jpg

Christchurch was the first city in New Zealand to develop an underground sewerage network.{{Cite web |last=Dann |first=Christine |title=Sewage, water and waste |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/sewage-water-and-waste/print# |access-date=25 April 2024 |website=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand }} In the early 1870s, Christchurch had a population of around 12,000 people. However, there was a high death rate from diseases such as typhoid, with 152 people dying in an epidemic from 1875 to 1876.{{Cite web |title=Heritage Buildings: The Pumphouse, Christchurch |url=https://thepumphouse.co.nz/heritage-buildings/ |access-date=25 April 2024 |website= |publisher=The Pumphouse Demolition Yard |language=en-NZ |archive-date=25 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425021642/https://thepumphouse.co.nz/heritage-buildings/ |url-status=live }} The city was considered as the unhealthiest in New Zealand at that time. Most of the human waste was being discharged untreated into the Avon and Heathcote rivers, despite those rivers also being used for bathing. Following the passing of the Christchurch District Drainage Act 1875,{{Cite web |title=Christchurch District Drainage Act 1875 |url=http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/hist_act/cdda187539v1875n26412/ |access-date=25 April 2024 |website=New Zealand Legal Information Institute |archive-date=25 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425023455/http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/hist_act/cdda187539v1875n26412/ |url-status=live }} the Christchurch Drainage Board was established, holding its first meeting on 4 January 1876.{{Cite web |last=Bulovic |first=Annette |date= |title=First Meeting Of The Christchurch Drainage Board – 4th January 1876 |url=https://www.peelingbackhistory.co.nz/first-meeting-of-the-christchurch-drainage-board-4th-january-1876/ |access-date=25 April 2024 |website=Peeling Back History |language=en-US |archive-date=25 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425021642/https://www.peelingbackhistory.co.nz/first-meeting-of-the-christchurch-drainage-board-4th-january-1876/ |url-status=live }} The first chairman of the board was the city mayor, Fred Hobbs, who had been a strong advocate for a drainage system.{{Cite news |date=5 January 1876 |title=Christchurch District Drainage Board |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18760105.2.14 |work=The Press |pages= |via=Papers Past |volume=XXV |issue=3228 |access-date=25 April 2024 |archive-date=25 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425024835/https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18760105.2.14 |url-status=live }}

In 1878, an English drainage engineer William Clark proposed detailed designs for an underground sewerage network for the city, with a pumping station to pump the sewage to sandhills in Bromley for irrigation over land adjacent to the estuary.{{cite book |last=Clark |first=William |url=https://canterbury.royalcommission.govt.nz/documents-by-key/20110929.36/$File/GEO.CLA.0001.SUB.pdf |title=Drainage scheme for Christchurch and the suburbs — with plan and explanatory diagrams |year=1878 |access-date=27 April 2024 |via=Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission |archive-date=26 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426230217/https://canterbury.royalcommission.govt.nz/documents-by-key/20110929.36/$File/GEO.CLA.0001.SUB.pdf |url-status=live }} The city's first sewage pumping station was established in Tuam Street in 1882, with a boiler and steam-driven pumps. Homeowners were required to pay for a connection to the new sewerage system and establish flushing toilets, and by 1884 there were 293 connections.{{Cite news |date=21 October 1882 |title=Board of Health |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18821021.2.18 |work=The Press |via=Papers Past |volume=XXXVIII |issue=5324 |access-date=25 April 2024 |archive-date=25 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425021644/https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18821021.2.18 |url-status=live }} The 1903 Cyclopedia of New Zealand stated that following the implementation of the drainage system "the city now ranks amongst the most healthy in the Colony".{{cite book |author=Cyclopedia Company Limited |url=https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc03Cycl-t1-body1-d3-d14.html |title=The Cyclopedia of New Zealand : Canterbury Provincial District |publisher=The Cyclopedia of New Zealand |year=1903 |location=Christchurch |chapter=Christchurch Drainage Board |access-date=25 April 2024 |archive-date=4 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240904060514/https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/webarchive/20210104000423/http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc03Cycl-t1-body1-d3-d14.html |url-status=live }}

The Christchurch City Council established the city's first public electricity supply in 1903, and the city was connected to Coleridge Power Station in 1914. Until 1989, electricity distribution and retailing in Christchurch was the responsibility of four entities: the Christchurch City Council Municipal Electricity Department (MED), Riccarton Electricity, the Port Hills Energy Authority, and the Central Canterbury Electric Power Board. In 1989, all four companies entered a joint venture, named Southpower. The 1998 electricity sector reforms required all electricity companies to separate their distribution and retailing businesses. Southpower retained its distribution business and sold its retail business to Meridian Energy. In December 1998, the distribution business was renamed Orion New Zealand.{{Cite web |url=http://www.oriongroup.co.nz/company-profile/company-history.aspx |title=Company history |publisher=Orion New Zealand Limited |access-date=4 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621065023/http://www.oriongroup.co.nz/company-profile/company-history.aspx |archive-date=21 June 2015 |url-status=dead }} Today, Orion owns and operates the local distribution network servicing the city, with electricity fed into it from two Transpower substations at Islington and Bromley.

The electricity distribution network in Christchurch suffered significant damage in the 2011 earthquakes, especially in the north-east, where the 66,000-volt subtransmission cables supplying the area were damaged beyond repair.{{Cite news |title=Power transformer to be installed in eastern Chch suburbs |url=http://tvnz.co.nz//national-news/power-transformer-installed-in-eastern-chch-suburbs-4042662 |work=Newstalk ZB |publisher=TVNZ |access-date=17 December 2017 |date=4 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110304154432/http://tvnz.co.nz//national-news/power-transformer-installed-in-eastern-chch-suburbs-4042662 |archive-date=4 March 2011 }} This necessitated major repairs to the existing infrastructure, as well as building new infrastructure to supply new housing developments.

At the 2013 census, 94.0% of Christchurch homes were heated wholly or partly by electricity, the highest in the country.{{Cite web |title=2013 Census QuickStats about housing – data tables |url=http://archive.stats.govt.nz/~/media/Statistics/Census/2013%20Census/profile-and-summary-reports/quickstats-about-housing/quickstats-housing-tables.xlsx |publisher=Statistics New Zealand |date=18 March 2014 |access-date=21 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129053929/http://archive.stats.govt.nz/~/media/Statistics/Census/2013%20Census/profile-and-summary-reports/quickstats-about-housing/quickstats-housing-tables.xlsx |archive-date=29 January 2019 |url-status=live }}

Telephone service was introduced in Christchurch on 1 October 1881 with the commissioning of New Zealand's first telephone exchange.{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=A. C. |title=Telecommunications – Telephones, 1877–1914 |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/telecommunications/page-2 |website=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |access-date=30 June 2024 |archive-date=30 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240630091236/https://teara.govt.nz/en/telecommunications/page-2 |url-status=live }} The city converted to fully automatic service on 14 September 1929.{{Cite news |date=16 September 1929 |title=Cut Over To Automatic Telephones |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/press/1929/09/16/4 |work=The Press |pages=4 |access-date=30 June 2024 |archive-date=30 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240630091237/https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/press/1929/09/16/4 |url-status=live }} Subscriber toll dialling was introduced in Christchurch from 19 November 1976, with the city given the area code 03;{{Cite news |date=17 November 1976 |title=Toll dialling on Saturday |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/press/1976/11/17/2 |work=The Press |pages=2 |access-date=30 June 2024 |archive-date=4 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240904060512/https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/press/1976/11/17/2 |url-status=live }} in the early 1990s, the 03 area code was expanded to cover the entire South Island and Christchurch telephone numbers were lengthened from six to seven digits by prefixing 3 to existing numbers.{{Cite news |date=7 August 1989 |title=Seven-digit phone numbers by 1992 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/press/1989/08/07/32 |work=The Press |pages=32 |access-date=30 June 2024 |archive-date=4 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240904060519/https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/press/1989/08/07/32 |url-status=live }} Mobile phone service was introduced to Christchurch on 5 September 1988 by Telecom (now Spark).{{Cite news |date=5 September 1988 |title=Mobile phone in use |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/press/1988/09/05/6 |work=The Press |pages=6 |access-date=30 June 2024 |archive-date=30 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240630091236/https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/press/1988/09/05/6 |url-status=live }}

As part of the Ultra Fast Broadband initiative, fibre to the premises was rolled out in Christchurch during the 2010s, with the network completed in August 2018. Enable Networks operates the fibre network in Christchurch and Lyttelton, while Chorus Limited operates the fibre network in Diamond Harbour and in towns on the Banks Peninsula. Chorus also operates the copper network across all of Christchurch City.{{Cite web |title=When and Where |url=https://www.crowninfrastructure.govt.nz/fibre/when-and-where/ |access-date=30 June 2024 |website=Crown Infrastructure Partners |language=en-US |archive-date=30 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240630091235/https://www.crowninfrastructure.govt.nz/fibre/when-and-where/ |url-status=live }}

The major daily newspaper in Christchurch is The Press, which has a daily circulation of 31,207 and is owned by Stuff.{{Cite web |title=ABC 2021 Audit |url=http://newspaper.abc.org.nz//audit.html?mode=embargo&npa_admin=1&org=npa&show=listpubs&letter= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126000658/http://newspaper.abc.org.nz//audit.html?mode=embargo&npa_admin=1&org=npa&show=listpubs&letter= |archive-date=26 January 2022 }} The Press was first published on 25 May 1861, originally as a weekly paper before becoming a daily paper in March 1863.{{Cite web |title=The Press |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/press |access-date=14 May 2024 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz |archive-date=13 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513102042/https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/press |url-status=live }} Weekly newspapers include The Star, owned by Allied Press, which began in 1868 as a daily evening newspaper before becoming a bi-weekly (and later weekly) free newspaper in 1991.{{cite web |title=The Star |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/star-christchurch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627174800/https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/star-christchurch |archive-date=27 June 2021 |access-date=10 July 2021 |website=Papers Past |publisher=National Library of New Zealand }}{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Alan |date=18 April 2013 |title=Christchurch Star sold to Mainland Media |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/business/8567388/Christchurch-Star-sold-to-Mainland-Media |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411023024/http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/8567388/Christchurch-Star-sold-to-Mainland-Media |archive-date=11 April 2021 |access-date=10 July 2021 |work=Stuff }}

The Christchurch radio market is the second-largest in New Zealand, with 511,700 listeners aged 10 and over. The three largest stations in Christchurch by market share are Newstalk ZB, More FM, and The Breeze.{{Cite web |title=Surveys & Research |url=https://www.rba.co.nz/surveys-research |access-date=14 May 2024 |website=Radio Broadcasters Association |language=en |archive-date=4 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240904060518/https://www.rba.co.nz/surveys-research |url-status=live }} As with other New Zealand radio markets, most radio stations in Christchurch are centralcast out of Auckland.

Television was introduced in Christchurch on 1 June 1961 with channel CHTV3. The channel networked with its NZBC counterparts in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin in 1969 and today is part of Television New Zealand (TVNZ).{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Television – History of television in New Zealand |encyclopedia=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |url=http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/diagram/45673/new-zealand-television-timeline |access-date=29 April 2024 |last=Dunleavy |first=Trisha |date=22 October 2014 }} As with radio, television channels in Christchurch are centralcast out of Auckland.

{{main category|People from Christchurch}}

{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in New Zealand}}

Christchurch's sister cities are:{{cite web |title=Sister Cities Programme |url=https://ccc.govt.nz/the-council/civic-and-international-relations/sister-cities-programme |website=ccc.govt.nz |publisher=Christchurch City Council |access-date=19 November 2020 |archive-date=2 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702092238/https://ccc.govt.nz/the-council/civic-and-international-relations/sister-cities-programme |url-status=live }}

{{div col|colwidth=25em}}

• Adelaide, South Australia, Australia (1972)
• Christchurch, Dorset, England, United Kingdom (1972)
• Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan (1973)
• Seattle, Washington, United States (1981)
• Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea (1995)
• Wuhan, Hubei, China (2006)

{{div col end}}

Christchurch also has friendly relations with Gansu in China.

• Christchurch City Holdings
• List of radio stations in Christchurch
• List of tallest buildings in Christchurch
• List of people from Christchurch

{{notelist}}

• {{citation |title=Te Wai Pounamu, The Greenstone Island: A history of the southern Māori during the European colonization of New Zealand |language=en |publisher=Aoraki Press |isbn=9780908925070 |publication-place=Christchurch |first1=Harry |last1=Evison |date=1993}}
• {{citation |first=J. P. |last=Morrison |date=1948 |title=The evolution of a city : the story of the growth of the city and suburbs of Christchurch, the capital of Canterbury, in the years from 1850 to 1903 |place=Christchurch |publisher=Christchurch City Council |oclc=10562646 |url=https://archive.org/details/evolution-of-a-city-1948}}
• {{cite book |first=Gordon |last=Ogilvie |author-link=Gordon Ogilvie |title=The Port Hills of Christchurch |publisher=Phillips & King |date=2009 |location=Christchurch |isbn=9780958331562 |edition=2nd}}
• {{ReedPlacenames2002}}
• {{cite book |first=Geoffrey |last=Rice |author-link=Geoffrey Rice |date=2008 |title=Christchurch Changing: An Illustrated History |location=Christchurch |publisher=Canterbury University Press |isbn=978-0-908812-53-0 |edition=2nd |url=https://archive.org/details/christchurchchan0000rice}}
• {{citation |title=Contextual Historical Overview of Christchurch City |first=John |last=Wilson |date=2005 |publisher=Christchurch City Council |type=report |url=https://canterbury.royalcommission.govt.nz/documents-by-key/20121008.5234/$File/GEN.WIL.0001.pdf |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230201123611/https://canterbury.royalcommission.govt.nz/documents-by-key/20121008.5234/$file/GEN.WIL.0001.pdf |archive-date=1 February 2023 |place=Christchurch |via=Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission |isbn=9781877313219 |oclc=156459064}}
• {{cite book |last=Wilson |first=John |url=https://ccc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Culture-Community/Heritage/Christchurch-Contextual-Historical-Overview-Revised-2013.pdf |title=Contextual Historical Overview for Christchurch City – Revised 2013 |publisher=Christchurch City Council |year=2013 |edition=2nd}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Christchurch, New Zealand|Christchurch}}

{{Wikivoyage}}

{{EB1911 poster|Christchurch (New Zealand)|Christchurch}}

• [http://www.ccc.govt.nz/ Christchurch City Council] – official council website
• [https://www.christchurchnz.com/ Ōtautahi Christchurch] – official website of the Christchurch City Council economic development agency, includes a tourism guide and visitor information

{{Adjacent communities

| title = Adjacent cities and districts

| Centre = Christchurch

| N = Pegasus Bay

| E = Pacific Ocean

| S = Canterbury Bight

| W = Selwyn

| NW = Waimakariri

}}

{{Christchurch City, New Zealand}}

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Christchurch

Category:Populated places established in 1843

Category:Former provincial capitals of New Zealand

Category:1843 establishments in New Zealand