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Christchurch is located just north of Banks Peninsula, about halfway down the east coast of the South Island. With
359,900 people (2006 Census), Christchurch City ranks 2nd in size out of the 73 Territorial Authorities in New Zealand. and it has
8.7% of the population of New Zealand.
Sadly, the city of Christchurch was badly affected by a series of earthquake
events over a prolonged period starting on 4 September 2010. Much of the central
business district has been destroyed. Also a phenomenon known as
liquefaction has had a major effect on some of the eastern suburbs which
means that many of the homes will have to be dismantled as the land is no longer
suitable to be built on. A map showing the affected areas can be found
here.
There are many videos on
YouTube showing the devastation. Photographer Ross Becker has been
commissioned by the National Library of New Zealand to document the post-quake
recovery. A large number of his superb photographs are available at low
resolution to the public under a Creative Commons Licence at Becker's
Picassa Web
Album. They are beautiful shots of a horrible subject.
The Canterbury Earthquake
Recovery Authority (CERA) was set up by the Government to lead recovery work
following the earthquakes of September. Detailed information on the earthquakes
and the recovery can be found on their web site.
The following was written before the earthquakes and the content and many of the
photos below reflect what Christchurch was like prior to the earthquakes. For
example the Cathedral below has been seriously damaged and may or may not be
rebuilt or repaired.
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Cathedral Square looking east to the Pacific Ocean.
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Many people would argue that Christchurch is the most attractive city in New Zealand. It has extensive inner city public and private gardens and parks. The Avon River wanders gently though the city centre. There is particular emphasis on pedestrian traffic, centred on its two main central squares - Cathedral Square and Victoria Square. It has one of the two main international airports for the country.
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Cathedral Square towards the old Post Office.
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Christchurch was a planned settlement founded by the English upper class. This “Englishness” is still apparent in the city's style and architecture, its traditional Gentlemen’s Clubs and activities such as punts on the Avon, and cricket and rugby in Hagley Park. Christ's College Boarding School also reflects those qualities most apparent in the English Public School system.
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Looking west towards the Southern Alps in the distance.
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Christchurch, framed by hills and the Pacific Ocean, is situated on the edge of the Canterbury plains, which stretch to the Southern Alps. It is New Zealand's only predominantly flat major city.
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Spring in the Botanic Gardens.
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Summers here are generally mild and sunny with low humidity. The city has an average of over 2,000 hours of annual sunshine. Residents are most likely to encounter frosts on crisp mornings followed by clear, calm days in Winter. Autumn usually has the longest period of settled weather and the city puts on an especially fine show in spring.
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Looking across Victoria Square from the Park
Royal Hotel.
Port Hills in background.
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Much of the city’s area has been set aside for parks, natural reserves and recreation grounds. It is these, together with Christchurch’s splendid private gardens, which give the city much of its essential character. Right at the city’s heart is Hagley Park and the adjacent Botanic Gardens, which displays a wide variety of native plants and trees.
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Victoria Square with the Town Hall in background
New Regent Street
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Christchurch’s special character is most obvious in its glorious parks and gardens, which led it to win the International Garden City Award. A huge range of recreation attractions offers a variety of things to do and see, and visitors can enjoy active or more leisurely pursuits the whole year round.
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Peacock Fountain
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Christchurch Tram
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Christchurch is New Zealand’s leading festival city. Throughout the year it celebrates a wide ranging variety of festivals providing a wealth of cultural and entertainment activities. Festivals covering themes of the adventure, arts, books, buskers, dance, heritage and floral displays all provide a focus for the city’s celebrations. Spring brings Showtime Canterbury featuring national racing events and the region’s traditional agricultural and pastoral show. Summer welcomes the Garden City Festival of Flowers and the SummerTimes festival, with a vast range of free outdoor events, including the extremely popular Classical Sparks. Late summer and early autumn are the time to celebrate romance, food and drink. Winter brings KidsFest and the Winter Carnival.
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The Christchurch Botanic Gardens covers 30 hectares (74 acres) in the heart of the city.
This view looks southeast towards the sea and the Port Hills.
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Christchurch, sometimes affectionately (or scornfully, by more right-wing groups) known as the “Peoples Republic” is a city on the move. It is a top rate destination for international travellers, not only for its own merits but also as a gateway to the wider regions attractions such as the relatively close ski fields. It has an extensive range of excellent hotels and accommodation facilities. There is also a new sports and entertainment centre and a world-class convention centre with a performing arts complex adjacent.
Christchurch now boasts a new Art Gallery, one of the best in New Zealand.
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Christchurch Art Gallery.
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Much of the local economy depends on the primary produce of the surrounding area: vegetables, meat, dairy products, wool, grains, timber, grapes and specialist horticultural products. Processing operations adding value for this produce also make a significant contribution. But Christchurch is more than a community supporting its local farming community. Software development, light manufacturing industries, engineering, electronics, tourism and education all play an increasingly important role in Christchurch’s prosperity. There are two universities, a rapidly expanding Polytechnic as well as several research institutions. Christchurch is definitely a technologically advanced city.
An international airport, deep harbour port, radial road and rail links make Christchurch the main distribution centre for the South Island. Enhanced international status and economic benefits also accrue from the city’s position as Gateway to the Antarctic.
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Antigua Boatsheds in Autumn
Text and most images copyright Allan Campbell
Last updated 28 July 2011
A few of these images have been "borrowed" from other
sites. I am in the process of replacing them with more of my own. If you are
unhappy at seeing them here, please contact me and I will remove them
immediately. AC
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