Christchurch

Christchurch, New Zealand

Christchurch, located in the province (region) of Canterbury, is the largest city on the South Island, yet remains a friendly and welcoming city compact enough to easily explore on foot or bicycle, all within arm's reach from stunning nature.

Following the 2010-2011 earthquakes, Christchurch has re-emerged as a lively, ever-changing city and is doing better than ever. A unique destination where creativity and innovation flow and where the hospitality and arts scenes have really taken off.

Population:

Approximately 381,500

Currency:

New Zealand Dollar (NZD) = 100 cents

Emergency Numbers:

Police, Fire and Ambulance: 111

Opening Hours:

Most shops are normally open from 9am to 5pm with bigger malls staying open till 6pm Saturday to Wednesday and 9pm on Thursday and Friday.

Newspapers:

The Press (daily regional)
New Zealand Herald (daily national)

Christchurch City

Māori oral history and archaeological evidence suggests that people first inhabited the Canterbury area about a thousand years ago. These first inhabitants were moa-hunting tribes and this migration continued until about 1830. The first European landed in Canterbury in 1815 and Christchurch became a city by Royal Charter on 31 July 1856, making it the oldest city in New Zealand. Many of the city's original Gothic buildings dated from this period.

Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and one of the world’s most unique destinations. Bordered by the Port Hills and the Pacific Ocean, it is situated on the Canterbury Plains with the Southern Alps as a majestic backdrop, allowing for a huge array of experiences all within just a few hours’ drive.

Known traditionally as “The Garden City”, the serene Avon River flows through the centre of the city (its banks now largely forming an urban park), and through the award winning Christchurch Botanic Gardens which are 150 years old this year. The gardens feature one of the finest collections of exotic and native plants found in New Zealand, and are home to one of Christchurch’s most iconic activities, Punting on the Avon.

More recently however, Christchurch has been rebuilding and revitalizing itself following the Canterbury Earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 and making way for some of the most innovative and creative projects in the world. With a huge emphasis on sustainable and envionmental issues, Christchurch is embracing it’s new future, and is excited about the possibilities of having a chance to reinvent itself with modern buildings and bright urban events. This is a chance to visit a city on the brink of reimagining itself with world class technology and innovation alongside history and heritage.

It is important not to forget about Christchurch’s backyard of Canterbury. You can ski at a world-class alpine resort, play golf, bungy jump, raft, mountain bike, hot-air balloon, wind surf, whale watch and visit internationally-acclaimed wineries and gardens – all within a short drive of the city. And that is just the beginning!

Do & See

New Zealand’s garden city, and capital of the South Island, acts as the perfect gateway to discovering some of the country’s most spectacular scenery and National Parks. There is also plenty to explore in the city itself, with acres of parks and gardens, stunning Gothic architecture and a wide choice of restaurants and bars.

The Canterbury Region – Day & Multi-Day Trips

From the Pacific Ocean, ancient volcanic peninsula and wondrous marine life, across patchwork plains, home to adrenalin pumping activities, lush vineyards and braided rivers rising to pristine glacial lakes and the majestic Southern Alps presided over by Aoraki / Mount Cook. You will find something special in Canterbury. Most destinations are possible in a day trip from Christchurch but Canterbury is best enjoyed as a multi-day trip, with time spent in each unique destination.

Dining

Once known mainly for its superb lamb, Canterbury and Christchurch are now gaining a reputation for a wide range of food and wine. Local meat produce includes venison, emu and ostrich. There is fresh seafood readily available including scallops, crayfish and Mount Cook Salmon, all which are recommended. Canterbury is also a large wine producing region, specialising in Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.