Christchurch

Christchurch Ōtautahi (Māori)
City
Christchurch Central City(2020) Banks Peninsulaand Akaroa Harbour Cathedral Square Hagley Park Sumnerand Southshore Christchurch Art Gallery
Flag Coat of arms Brandmark
Nickname: The Garden City
Motto(s): Fide Condita Fructu Beata Spe Fortis English: Founded in Faith, Rich in the Fulfillment thereof, Strong in Hope for the Future [1]
Christchurch Show map of South Island Christchurch Show map of New Zealand
Coordinates:43°31′52″S172°38′10″E / 43.53111°S 172.63611°E /-43.53111; 172.63611
Country	New Zealand
Island	South Island
Region	Canterbury
Communities	Banks Peninsula Coastal-Burwood Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Papanui-Innes Spreydon-Cashmere
Wards	Banks Peninsula Burwood Cashmere Central Coastal Fendalton Halswell Harewood Heathcote Hornby Innes Linwood Papanui Riccarton Spreydon Waimairi
Settled by the UK	1848
Named for	Christ Church, Oxford
NZ Parliament	Banks Peninsula Christchurch Central Christchurch East Ilam Selwyn Waimakariri Wigram Te Tai Tonga(Māori)
Government
•Mayor	Phil Mauger
• MPs	Matt Doocey(National) Nicola Grigg(National) Vanessa Weenink(National) Hamish Campbell(National) Tākuta Ferris(Te Pāti Māori) Duncan Webb(Labour) Reuben Davidson(Labour) Megan Woods(Labour)
•Territorial authority	Christchurch City Council
Area [2]
• Territorial	1,426 km2(551 sq mi)
• Land	1,415.47 km2(546.52 sq mi)
• Urban	295.15 km2(113.96 sq mi)
• Metro	2,408.1 km2(929.8 sq mi)
Elevation [3]	6 m (20 ft)
Population (June 2023) [4]
• Territorial	396,200
• Density	280/km2(720/sq mi)
•Urban	384,800
• Urban density	1,300/km2(3,400/sq mi)
•Metro	521,881
• Metro density	220/km2(560/sq mi)
•Demonym	Cantabrian
Time zone	UTC+12:00(NZST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+13:00(NZDT)
Postcode(s)	8011, 8013, 8014, 8022, 8023, 8024, 8025, 8041, 8042, 8051, 8052, 8053, 8061, 8062, 8081, 8082,
Area code	03
Localiwi	Kāti Māmoe,Ngāi Tahu
Website	ChristchurchNZ.com

Christchurch(/ˈkraɪstʃɜːrtʃ/^ⓘ;Māori:Ōtautahi) is the largest city in theSouth Islandand thesecond-largest cityby urban area population inNew Zealand.^[a]Christchurch has a population of 396,200 and is located in theCanterbury Region, near the centre of the east coast of the South Island, east of theCanterbury Plains. It is located near the southern end ofPegasus Bay, and is bounded to the east by the Pacific Ocean and to the south by the ancient volcanic complex of theBanks Peninsula. TheAvon River (Ōtākoro)winds through the centre of the city, witha large urban parkalong its banks. With the exception of the Port Hills, it is a relatively flat city, on an average around 20 m (66 ft) above sea level. Christchurch has a reputation for being an English city, with its architectural identity and nickname the 'Garden City' due to similarities with garden cities in England. Christchurch has atemperate oceanic climatewith regular moderate rainfall.

Māorihave inhabited the Christchurch area since 1250 A.D. Initially, the area of modern-day greater Christchurch was mostlyswamplandswith patchworks ofmarshland. In the archaic period, Māori were to have beenmoa-hunters, who occupied coastal caves. Christchurch was an important foraging ground and contained numerous seasonal settlements before the arrival of European settlers.Britishcolonial settlement began in the mid-nineteenth century. TheFirst Four Shipswere chartered by theCanterbury Associationand brought the Canterbury Pilgrims from Britain toLyttelton Harbourin 1850. It became a city byroyal charteron 31 July 1856, making it officially the oldest established city in New Zealand. Christchurch was heavily industrialised in the early 20th century, with and the opening of theMain South Linerailway and the development of state housing saw rapid growth in the city's economy and population.

Christchurch has strong cultural connections, with its English architecture identity; however, it also contains various European elements, with strongGothic RevivalandNeo-Georgianarchitecture. Christchurch is also home to a number of performing arts centres and academic institutions (including theUniversity of Canterbury). Christchurch has hosted numerous international sporting events, notably the1974 British Commonwealth Gamesat the purpose-builtQueen Elizabeth II Park. The city has been recognised as an Antarctic gateway since 1901, and is nowadays one of the fiveAntarctic gateway citieshosting Antarctic support bases for several nations. Christchurch is served by theChristchurch AirportinHarewood, the country's second-busiest airport.

The city suffered a series ofearthquakes from September 2010, withthe most destructive occurring on 22 February 2011, in which 185 people were killed and thousands of buildings across the city suffered severe damage, with a few central city buildings collapsing, leading to ongoing recovery and rebuilding projects. Christchurch later became the site ofa terrorist attacktargeting two mosques on 15 March 2019.

The nameChristchurchwas adopted at the first meeting of theCanterbury Associationon 27 March 1848. The reason it was chosen is not known with certainty, but the most likely reason is it was named afterChrist Church, Oxford, the alma mater of many members of the association, includingJohn Robert Godley.^[7]Christ Church college had similarities with the planned new city, including its own cathedral, the smallest in England.^[8]Other possibilities are that it was named forChristchurch, Dorset, or forCanterbury 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.^[9]

TheMāorinameŌtautahi, meaning'the place of Tautahi', was adopted in the 1930s. Ōtautahi was the name of a specific site by the Avon River / Ōtākaro (near the present-day fire-station on Kilmore Street).^[10][11]The site was a seasonal food-gathering place ofNgāi Tahuchief Te Pōtiki Tautahi. Although, a different account claims the Tautahi in question was the son of the Port Levy chief Huikai.^[12][13]Prior to that, Ngāi Tahu generally referred to the Christchurch area asKaraitiana, an anglicised version.^[14][15][16]

"ChCh" is commonly used as an abbreviation ofChristchurch.^[17][18]InNew Zealand Sign Language,Christchurchis signed with two Cs.^[19]

The area of modern-day greater Christchurch was originallyswamplandwith patchworks of marshland, grassland, scrub and some patches of tall forest of mostlykahikatea,mataīandtōtara.^[20]The inner coastal sand dunes were covered in hardier scrub bush, includingakeake,taupata,tūmatakuru,ngaio,carmichaelia, andcoprosma.^[20]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, notablytūīandkākāpō.^[21][22]

Evidence of human activity in the area begins in 1250 AD,^[23]with evidence of prolonged occupation beginning no later than 1350 AD.^[24]These people in the pre-historic Māori period are believed to have beenmoa-hunters, who occupied coastal caves around modern-daySumner.^[25][26]These early settlers and their descendants are known fromNgāi Tahutradition as theWaitaha iwi.^[27]Aroundc. 1500theKāti Māmoetribe migrated south from the east coast of the North Island, and gained control of much of Canterbury.^[27]

For these early Māori, the area of Christchurch was an important foraging ground and a seasonal settlement.^[28]The most notable Māori settlements within Christchurch during the early-nineteenth century were at Pūtarikamotu.^[b][31]in modern-dayRiccarton,^[32]andPapanui.^[33]In both cases these were located in areas of surviving tall forest.^[33]InSouth New Brightonthere was a major Māori settlement named Te Kai-a-Te-Karoro, this was an important area that hadkelp gullpresence andmānukascrub.^[34][35]Te Ihutai (TheAvon Heathcote Estuary) was an important food source for local iwi andhapū, the estuary providing food such as, flounder and shellfish.^[36][37]

The brothersWilliamandJohn Deansin 1843, had success in establishing a European settlement in the area.^[38][39]The Deans farm 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.^[38]The Deans brothers named their farm at PūtarikamotuRiccartonafter their former parish inAyrshire, Scotland; they also named the river near their farm after theAvon WaterinSouth Lanarkshire, which rises in the hills near to where their grandfather's farm was located.^[40][8][41]

TheCanterbury Association's Chief Surveyor, CaptainJoseph 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.^[42][43]TheFirst Four Shipswere chartered by the Canterbury Association and brought theCanterbury PilgrimstoLyttelton Harbourin 1850.^[c]These sailing vessels were theRandolph,Charlotte Jane,Sir George Seymour, andCressy.^[46]The journey took three to four months, and theCharlotte Janewas the first to arrive on 16 December 1850.^[47]The Canterbury Pilgrims had aspirations of building a city around a cathedral and college, on the model ofChrist ChurchinOxford.^[48][49]

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, laterLyttelton, to Christchurch via Evans Pass andSumner.^{[50][51][52][53]}By the time thatJohn Robert Godleyarrived in April 1850 all of the funds for public works had been used up in constructing the road.^[51][52][53]Godley ordered that all work on the road should stop, leaving the steep foot andpack horsetrack 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.^[52]This track became known as theBridle Pathbecause the path was so steep that pack horses needed to be led by thebridle.^[54]Goods that were too heavy or bulky to be transported by pack horse over the Bridle Path were shipped by small sailing vessels some 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) by sea around the coast and up theAvon Heathcote EstuarytoFerrymead.^[55][53]Overturned boats at theSumner barwere a frequent cause of new arrivals to the colony losing all their luggage.^[56]The Sumner Road was completed in 1857, though this did not alleviate the transport problems.^[57]In 1858 the provincialsuperintendentWilliam Sefton Moorhouseannounced that a tunnel would be dug between Lyttelton and Christchurch.^[57][58]While the tunnel was under construction, New Zealand's first public railway line, theFerrymead Railway, opened from Ferrymead to Christchurch in 1863.^[59][60]

Between 1853 and 1876 Christchurch was the administrative seat of theProvince of Canterbury.^[61]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.^[62]Christchurch became the first city in New Zealand byroyal charteron 31 July 1856, andHenry Harperwas consecrated by thearchbishop of Canterburyas the local Anglican bishop. He arrived in Christchurch a few months later in December 1856.^[63][64]In 1862 theChristchurch City Councilwas established.^[65][66]By 1874, Christchurch was New Zealand's fourth-largest city with a population of 14,270 residents.^[67]Between 1871 and 1876 nearly 20,000 immigrants arrived in Canterbury,^[68]and through the 1880s frozen meat joined wool as a primary export.^[69]The last decades of the nineteenth-century were a period of significant growth for the city, despite the national economic depression.^[70]Many of the city's stoneGothic Revivalbuildings by provincial architectBenjamin Mountfortdate from around this period, includingCanterbury University College,^[71]ChristChurch Cathedral,^[72]Canterbury Museum,^[73]and theCanterbury Provincial Council Buildings,^[74]among others. Mountfort oversaw construction of a prison on Lincon Road in 1874, which operated until 1999.^[75]

Christchurch experienced a number of minor natural disasters during this period. Heavy rain caused theWaimakariri Riverto flood Christchurch in February 1868.^[76][77]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".^[78][79][80]Christchurch buildings were damaged by earthquakes in1869,1881and1888.^[81]The 1888 earthquake caused the highest 7.8 metres of theChristchurch Cathedralspire to collapse, manychimneyswere broken, and theDurham Street Methodist Churchhad its stonework damaged.^[82][83]In November 1901,a magnitude 6.9 earthquake, centred nearCheviot, 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.^[82][84]

The CatholicCathedral of the Blessed Sacramentwas opened in February 1905.^[85][86]It was designed byFrancis Petrewith inspiration from theSaint-Vincent-de-Paulin Paris.^[87]In 1906, theNew Zealand International Exhibitionopened in Hagley Park, which had over a million visitors.^[88]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.^[89]

Christchurch was heavily industrialised in the early 20th century, particularly the suburbs ofWoolstonandAddington, with Woolston housing a large amount of New Zealand's rubber industry. Many warehouses, factories and large premises of railwayworkshopswere built along theMain South Line.^[90][91]There was notable development of breweries,flour mills, and light-commercial in Christchurch.^[92][93]This significantly increased the population of workers in the city, which soon spread industrialisation toSydenham.^[94]As central Christchurch grew, many cottages were demolished to make way for light-industrial and retail premises near Moorhouse Avenue as they expanded south.^[90]Many churches were also built to compensate for its growing Christian population.^[95]The population of Christchurch exceeded 100,000 for the first time in 1919.^[96]

Despite the central city remaining relatively unchanged between 1914 and 1960,^[97]Christchurch grew rapidly during the 20th century in part due to the construction of manystate 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.^[98]

In November 1947, a basement fire at theBallantynesdepartment store on the corner of Cashel and Colombo Streets unexpectedly burned out of control, resulting in New Zealand'sworst 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 which were killed. The department store was actually a combination of seven or eight different buildings, joined to form a "perplexing maze"^[99]with no sprinklers or alarm system.^[100]A subsequentRoyal commission of enquiryresulted in changes to the building code to improve fire safety.^[101][102]Thousands of mourners, including the Prime Minister, attended a mass funeral in the aftermath.^[99][103]

During the 1960s Christchurch experiencedurban sprawl, with much of the retail business of the central city moving out to urban shopping malls. These typically included largecar parking areasto suit the growing shift towards personal car ownership, and away from public transport.^[104][105]Hornbybecame a significant industrial suburb in the 1960s, with industrial and residential premises expanding westwards.^[106]TheLyttelton road tunnelbetween Lyttelton and Christchurch was opened in 1964.^[107]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.^[108]The channel initially broadcast from a 10-kilowatt transmitter atop theGloucester Streetstudios until it switched to the newly built 100-kilowattSugarloaf transmitterin the Port Hills on 28 August 1965.^[109][110]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.^[111]A police stationopened in 1973 on Hereford street, it was imploded and demolished in 2015.^[112][113]

Christchurch hosted the1974 British Commonwealth Gamesat the purpose-builtQueen Elizabeth II Park.^[114]The sports complex was open in 1973, one year before the games.^[115]

On Saturday, 4 September 2010,a magnitude 7.1 earthquakestruck Christchurch and the central Canterbury region at 4:35 am. With itshypocentrenearDarfield, west of the city at a depth of 10 kilometres (6.2 mi), it caused widespread damage to the city and minor injuries, but no direct fatalities.^[116][117]

Nearly six months later, on Tuesday 22 February 2011,a second earthquakemeasuring magnitude 6.3 struck the city at 12:51 pm. Its hypocentre was located closer to the city, near Lyttelton, at a depth of 5 km (3 mi).^[118]Although lower on themoment magnitude scalethan the previous earthquake, the intensity and violence of the ground shaking was measured to beIX (Violent), among the strongest ever recorded globally in an urban area, which killed 185 people.^{[119][120][121]}On 13 June 2011 Christchurch was again rocked bytwo more large aftershocks. This resulted in more liquefaction and building damage, but no more lives were lost.^[122]

There were further earthquakes on 23 December 2011; the first, of magnitude 5.8 according to the US Geological Survey, 26 km (16 mi) north-east of the city at a depth of 4.7 km (2.9 mi), at 13:58, followed by several aftershocks and another earthquake of magnitude 6.0 and similar location 80 minutes later, with more aftershocks expected.^[123][124]

Christchurch was again rattled awake on 2 January 2012; the first; a magnitude 5.1 struck at 01:27 followed five minutes later by a magnitude 4.2 aftershock; a second larger earthquake struck at 05:45 with a magnitude of 5.5. This caused power outages and affected around 10,000 homes.^[125]

On 13 February 2017,two bush fires startedon thePort Hills. These later merged and the single large wildfire extended down both sides of the Port Hill almost reachingGovernors Bayin the south-west. Eleven houses were destroyed by fire and over 2,076 hectares (5,130 acres) of land was burned.^[126]

In 2024, a secondfire on the Port Hillsburned 700 hectares (1,700 acres).^[127]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.

Fifty-one people died fromtwo consecutive mass shootingsatAl Noor MosqueandLinwood Islamic Centreby an Australianwhite supremacistcarried out on 15 March 2019.^{[128][129][130][131][132]}Forty others were injured.^[133]The attacks have been described by Prime MinisterJacinda Ardernas "one of New Zealand's darkest days".^[134]On 2 June 2020, the attacker pleaded guilty to multiple charges of murder, attempted murder, and terrorism.^[135][136]On 27 August, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole, the first time such a sentence was handed down in New Zealand.^{[137][138][139]}

Christchurch is halfway along the east coast of theSouth Island, facing the South Pacific Ocean. With the exception of thePort HillsonBanks Peninsulato its south, the city sits on flat land, on average around 20 m (66 ft) above sea level.^[140]

The present land mass of New Zealand split from the super continent ofGondwanaaround 85 million years ago. Prior to that time, mudstone and hardened sandstones commonly known asgreywackewas deposited and deformed bytectonicmovement. 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 theBanks Peninsula volcanic complex. Over the last two million years as theSouthern Alpswere rising, there were multiple periods ofglaciation. Rivers flowing from the mountains carriedalluvialgravels over the area that is now theCanterbury 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.^[141]: 21

The glacial/interglacial cycles of theQuaternary Periodled 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 mostlyfluvialgravel (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).^[142]: 13

The layers of gravel beneath the eastern Canterbury plains and Christchurch area form anartesian aquiferwith theinterbeddedfine 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 theHalswell Riverbegins north-west of the Port Hills on the periphery of Christchurch and flows toLake Ellesmere / Te Waihora.^[142]: 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 1000CE. 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 wasWilliam Barnard Rhodes, captain of the barqueAustralian,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".^[143]Most of the eastern, southern and northern parts of the city were wet areas when European settlement began.^[144]

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 asRiccarton Bush,Travis Wetland, Ōtukaikino wetland, and the Cashmere Valley.^[145]

Christchurch Central City is defined as the area centred onCathedral Squareand within theFour Avenues(Bealey Avenue, Fitzgerald Avenue, Moorhouse Avenue and Deans Avenue).^[146]It includesHagley Park, and theChristchurch Botanic Gardens. The design of the central city with its grid pattern of streets, city squares and parkland was laid out by 1850.^[42]

The central city was among the most heavily damaged areas of Christchurch in the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes.^[147]Following the second earthquake, theCentral City Red Zonewas set up as an exclusion zone for public safety reasons, and many parts remained closed to the public until June 2013.^[148]A large number ofheritage buildingswere demolished following the earthquake, along with most of thecity's high rise buildings.^[149][150]TheChristchurch Central Recovery Planwas developed to lead the rebuild of the city centre, and featured 17 "anchor projects".^[151][152]There has been massive growth in the residential sector in the central city, particularly in the East Frame development.^[153]

There is no legal definition of the boundaries of suburbs in Christchurch. The suburb boundaries are largely defined by third-party agencies, such asStatistics New ZealandandNew Zealand Post, and may differ between agencies.^[154]

The earliest suburbs of Christchurch were laid out with streets in a grid pattern, centred onCathedral Square. Growth initially took place along the tramlines, leading to radial development.^[155]Major expansion occurred in the 1950s and 60s, with the development of large areas ofstate housing. Settlements that had originally been remote, such asSumner,New Brighton,Upper RiccartonandPapanuieventually became amalgamated into the expanding city.^[156]

The Christchurchfunctional urban area, as defined by Statistics New Zealand, covers 2,408.1 km²(929.8 sq mi).^[157]Towns and settlements in the functional urban area include:

Christchurch has atemperateoceanic climate(Köppen:Cfb) with a mild summer, cool winter, and regular moderate rainfall. It has mean daily maximum air temperatures of 22.6 °C (73 °F) in January and 10.9 °C (52 °F) in July.^[158]Summer in the city is mostly warm, but is often moderated by asea breezefrom the north-east. A notable feature of the weather is thenor'wester, a hotföhn windthat occasionally reaches storm force, causing widespread minor damage to property.^[159]Like many cities, Christchurch experiences anurban heat islandeffect; temperatures are slightly higher within the inner-city regions compared to the surrounding countryside.^[160]The highest temperature recorded in Christchurch was 41.6 °C (106.9 °F) on 7 February 1973,^[161]however the highest for the Christchurch metropolitan area was 42.4 °C (108 °F) recorded inRangioraon the same day.^[162]

In winter, subfreezing temperatures are common, with nights falling below 0 °C (32 °F) an average of 50 times a year at Christchurch Airport and 23 times a year in the city center.^[163]There are on average 80 days of ground frost per year.^[164]Snowfalloccurs on average three times per year, although in some years none is recorded.^[165]The lowest temperature recorded in Christchurch was −9.4 °C (15 °F) in the suburb ofWigramin July 1945.^[166]

On cold winter nights, the surrounding hills, clear skies, andfrostycalm conditions often combine to form a stableinversion layerabove the city that traps vehicle exhausts and smoke from domestic fires to cause smog.^[167]While not as bad as smog in Los Angeles or Mexico City, Christchurch smog has often exceededWorld Health Organisationrecommendations for air pollution. To limit air pollution, the regional council banned the use ofopen firesin the city in 2006.^[168]

Christchurch City covers a land area of 1,415.47 km²(546.52 sq mi)^[175]and had an estimated population of 396,200 as of June 2023,^[4]with a population density of 280 people per km².

This is the second-most populous area administered by a single council in New Zealand, and the largest city in theSouth Island. The population comprises 384,800 people in the Christchurchurban area, 3,180 people in theLytteltonurban area, 1,650 people in theDiamond Harboururban area, and 6,570 people in rural settlements and areas.

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1981	281,721	—
1986	288,948	+0.51%
1991	296,061	+0.49%
1996	316,611	+1.35%
2001	323,956	+0.46%
2006	348,456	+1.47%
2013	341,469	−0.29%
2018	369,006	+1.56%
2023	391,383	+1.18%
Source:[176][177][178]

Christchurch City had a population of 391,383 in the2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 22,377 people (6.1%) since the2018 census, and an increase of 49,914 people (14.6%) since the2013 census. There were 166,749 dwellings. 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.^[178]

Christchurch City had a population of 369,006 at the2018 New Zealand census. There were 138,381 households, comprising 183,972 males and 185,034 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.99 males per female.

Of those at least 15 years old, 75,207 (24.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 49,554 (16.2%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $32,900, compared with $31,800 nationally. 50,229 people (16.5%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 153,480 (50.3%) people were employed full-time, 46,011 (15.1%) were part-time, and 11,466 (3.8%) were unemployed.^[177]

Individual wards

Name	Area (km2)	Population	Density (per km2)	Households	Median age	Median income
Harewood Ward	113.60	21,552	189.72	8,043	42.1 years	$35,500
Waimairi Ward	10.47	22,554	2,154.15	8,010	37.8 years	$32,000
Papanui Ward	10.51	23,349	2,221.60	8,871	39.2 years	$32,100
Fendalton Ward	9.08	22,785	2,509.36	8,586	42.5 years	$38,500
Innes Ward	41.89	23,454	559.89	9,021	35.9 years	$34,800
Burwood Ward	20.49	26,598	1,298.10	9,591	37.5 years	$30,700
Coastal Ward	31.82	22,974	722.00	8,967	38.6 years	$32,400
Hornby Ward	46.73	23,055	493.37	8,193	36.5 years	$30,700
Halswell Ward	46.24	29,643	641.07	10,197	36.6 years	$38,400
Riccarton Ward	9.62	24,861	2,584.30	7,596	27.7 years	$20,100
Spreydon Ward	10.08	24,276	2,408.33	9,204	35.4 years	$33,100
Central Ward	13.22	23,679	1,791.15	10,440	32.0 years	$34,400
Cashmere Ward	23.89	21,615	904.77	8,217	41.6 years	$40,200
Linwood Ward	16.46	24,501	1,488.52	9,549	35.5 years	$28,000
Heathcote Ward	38.23	25,263	660.82	10,143	41.7 years	$37,400
Banks Peninsula Ward	973.16	8,850	9.09	3,747	48.4 years	$36,000
New Zealand					37.4 years	$31,800

Ethnicities, 2023 Census

Ethnicity	Population
European	296,955
Māori	44,022
Pasifika	16,746
Asian	67,050
MELAA	7,422
Other	4,395

Ethnicities at the 2023 census were 75.9%European/Pākehā, 11.2%Māori, 4.3%Pasifika, 17.1%Asian, 1.9% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders, and 1.1% other. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.^[178]

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%).^[179]

The proportion of people in Christchurch born overseas was 26.8%, compared with 27.1% nationally. The most common birthplaces of overseas-born residents were England (4.6%), the Philippines (2.8%), mainland China (2.8%), India (2.0%), and Australia (1.8%).^[177]

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 50.8% had no religion, 36.3% wereChristian, 0.4% hadMāori religious beliefs, 1.8% wereHindu, 1.1% wereMuslim, 1.0% wereBuddhistand 2.5% had other religions.

English is the most spoken language (95.9%), followed by Te Reo Māori (2.1%), Mandarin (1.9%), Tagalog (1.5%) and French (1.3%). Percentages add up to more than 100% as people may select multiple language.^[177]

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.^[180]

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).^[181]

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.^[182]

A number of nationally and internationally recognised brands and companies were founded and have theirheadquarters in ChristchurchincludingMacpac,Kathmandu,PGG Wrightson,Tait Communications,Cookie Time, andSmiths City.

Christchurch is the second-largest manufacturing centre in New Zealand behindAuckland, the sector being the second-largest contributor to the local economy,^[183]with firms such as Anderson's making steel work for bridges, tunnels, andhydroelectricdams 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.^[184]Angus TaitfoundedTait Electronics, a mobile-radio manufacturer, and other firms spun off from this, such as Dennis Chapman's Swichtec. In software, CantabrianGil Simpsonfounded a company that madeLINCandJadeprogramming languages, and amanagement buyoutspawned local firmWynyard 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 aManagement buyoutof their division.^{[citation needed]}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.^[185]

In recent times, theUniversity of Canterburyengineering school and computer science department play an important role in supplying staff and research for the technology industries, and theChristchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technologyprovides 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.^[186]

Theagricultural industrywas originally the economic core of Christchurch.^[188]Its surrounding farming countryside was originally the basis of its industry, part of the original "package" sold to New Zealand immigrants.^[189]PGG Wrightson, New Zealand's leading agribusiness, is based in Christchurch.^[190]Its local roots go back to Pyne Gould Guinness, an old stock and station agency serving the South Island.^[191]

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.^[188]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 asTaranakiand theWaikato.

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 atWaipara, 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.^[192]

An important component of the regions agricultural calendar is theCanterbury A&P Show. The first show took place in Christchurch on 22 October 1862^[193]and is now the largestagricultural and pastoral showin 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 Councilmoved 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]}

Tourismis 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 ofAoraki / Mount Cook National Park,Queenstown, theWest CoastandKaikōura. 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.^[194]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%.^[195]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).^[196]

The city began its long history as anAntarctic gatewayin 1901, when theDiscoveryExpeditionleft from Lyttelton.^[197][198]Robert Falcon Scott's second departure from Christchurch in 1910 would be his last; he died as part of theTerra NovaExpedition.^[199]The city mourned his death, anda memorial statueof him was unveiled in 1917.^[200][201]TheInternational Antarctic Centreprovides both base facilities and a museum and visitor centre focused upon current Antarctic activities. TheUnited States NavyandUnited 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 toMcMurdoandScott Basesin Antarctica. The Clothing Distribution Center in Christchurch had more than 140,000 pieces of extreme cold weather gear for issue to nearly 2,000United States Antarctic Programparticipants in the 2007–08 season.^[202]

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

• Christchurch City Council, comprising theMayor 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, Waimaero 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 councilsin surrounding areas:Selwyn, andWaimakariri. 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.^[203]
• Prior to the disestablishment of thedistrict health boardmodel during the2022 local elections, elections were also held for theCanterbury District Health Board, with five members for Christchurch.^[204]

Some of the local governments inCanterburyand theNZ Transport Agencyhave created the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy to facilitate futureurban planning.^[205]

Christchurch is covered by sevengeneral electorates(Banks Peninsula,Christchurch Central,Christchurch East,Ilam,Selwyn,WaimakaririandWigram) and one Māori electorate (Te Tai Tonga),^[206]each returning one member to theNew Zealand House of Representatives. As of the2023 New Zealand general electionthere are four general electorate members of theNationalparty and three members of theLabourparty. The Māori electorate is represented byTe Pāti Māori.

The architecture of Christchurch has been said to be distinctly English; however, it contains various European elements, with strongGothic Revival architecture.^[207]As early settlers of New Zealand,Māori cultureis 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]}

Historically, most cinemas were grouped around Cathedral Square.^[208]

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^[209]which also runs a cinema in Wigram. The largest multiplexes were theHoyts8 in the oldrailway station on Moorhouse Avenue(now replaced by EntX)^[210]andReading Cinemas(also eight screens) inthe Palms Shopping Centrein Shirley. Hoyts in Riccarton opened in 2005^[211]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.^[212]

The Canterbury Film Society is active in the city, operating every Monday evening from theChristchurch Art Gallery.^[213]

ThePeter JacksonfilmHeavenly Creatures(1994), starringMelanie LynskeyandKate Winslet, was set in Christchurch.^[214]

The large number of public parks and well-developed residential gardens with many trees has given Christchurch the name ofThe Garden City. A British lawyerJohn Eldon Gorst, stated that Christchurch reminded him of the garden cities in England, and he called it as such.^[215][216]Hagley Parkand the 33-hectare (82-acre)Christchurch Botanic Gardens, founded in 1863,^[217]are in the central city, which is an active habitat forkererū.^[218]TheHagley Ovalis a popularcricket field. Other sports such as association football, andrugbyare popular in Hagley Park, and open-air concerts by local bands and orchestras.^[219]North Hagley Park is known for itscherry blossoms, planted along Harper Avenue on Arbor Day in 1936.^[220]During the flowering season the trees are popular with visitors.^[221]

To the east lies Rawhiti Domain, in New Brighton, and north lies Spencer Park. And there are many inner city urban parks such as,Latimer Square,Cranmer Square, andVictoria Square.^[222]To the north of the city is theWillowbank Wildlife Reserve.Travis Wetland, an ecological restoration programme to create a wetland, many native plants and birdlife thrive there, notablyroyal spoonbillsandspotless crake^[223][224]and recent plantings offork-leaved sundew.^[225]It is sited to the east of the city centre near the suburb ofBurwoodand North New Brighton. There has been recent work to restore Papanui Bush, it began in 2018, with recent plantings of native wildlife such asrimuandtōtarato restore this area like it was pre-European occupation.^[226][227]

Orana Wildlife Parkis New Zealand's only open-range zoo, sitting on 80 hectares of land, located on the outskirts of Christchurch.^[228]

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.^[229]Across the road from that building is theIsaac Theatre Royal, originally opened in 1863, and has since been rebuilt four times, most recently the building was moderately damaged following the 2011 earthquake.^[230][231]The Isaac Theatre Royal reopened to the public on 17 November 2014.^[229]

Christchurch has one full-time professional theatre, theCourt Theatre,^[232][233]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.^[234]Construction of a new premises located in thePerforming Arts Precinctis due to be complete in 2025.^[235]

TheFree Theatre Christchurchwas established in 1979 and based in the Arts Centre from 1982,^[236]and Showbiz Christchurch, an incorporated society established in 1938 and primarily producing musical theatre.^[237][238]There is also an active recreational theatre scene with community-based theatre companies, such as the Christchurch Repertory Society,^[239]Elmwood Players,^[240]Riccarton Players,^[241]and Canterbury Children's Theatre,^[242]producing many quality shows.

The city is known for its many live acts,^{[243][244][245][246]}including a professionalsymphony orchestra.^[247]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 withNew Zealand Operain 2013.^[248]Christchurch is a home for the experimental music scene of New Zealand.

There are usually buskers around the town square, and Christchurch also hosts theWorld Buskers Festivalin January each year.^[249]Singer-songwriterHayley Westenralaunched her international career by busking in Christchurch.^[250]

Some of New Zealand's acts, such asShapeshifter,Ladi6,Tiki TaaneandTruthare 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 DJDoctor Pwith Crushington was playing at The Bedford, while simultaneouslyConcord DawnfeaturingTreiand Bulletproof was playing at Ministry).^{[citation needed]}

In recent developments, hip hop has effectively landed in Christchurch.^[251][252]In 2000, First Aotearoa Hip Hop Summit was held there.^[253]And in 2003, Christchurch'sScribereleased his debut album in New Zealand and has received five times platinum in that country, in addition to achieving two number one singles.^[254][255]

TheWolfbrook Arenais New Zealand's second-largest permanent multipurpose arena, seating between 5,000 and 8,000, depending on configuration. It is home of theMainland Tactixnetballside. It was the venue for the 1999 World Netball championships, and has been host to many concerts

TheChristchurch Town Hallauditorium opened in September 1972, it was the first major auditorium design by architectsWarren and Mahoneyand acousticians Marshall Day.^[256][257]It is still recognised as a model example of concert-hall design with an excellent modernpipe organ.^[258]The hall was reopened on 23 February 2019, after being closed for eight years for repair after the significant damage caused by the February2011 Christchurch earthquake.^[259][260]

Christchurch also hasa casino,^[261]and there are also a wide range of live music venues^[243][262]– some short-lived, others with decades of history. Classical music concerts were held at theChristchurch Music Centreuntil 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.^[263][264]

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.^[265]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.^[266][267]

In 2012, in theChristchurch Central Recovery Plan, it was announced there will be a replacement for Lancaster Park. Construction started ona new stadiumin 2022 and is due to be complete in April 2026.^[268]

Christchurch had a biennial Festival of Transitional Architecture (FESTA) from 2012 to 2018 founded by architectural historianJessica Halliday.^[269]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.^[270]Word Christchurchis a long running literary festival, the director in 2023 is Steph Walker.^[271]

Sport in Christchurch has developed from the time of the initial settlement ofCanterburyby British migrants, and remains an important part of community life.Cricketandrugby unionhave 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.^[272]In 2022, the top five sporting codes in Canterbury based on club membership werenetball,touch rugby, rugby union, golf and cricket.^[82]

There are around 1,200 sports clubs and associations,^[273]and in 2022 there were 140,000 affiliated members.^[82]Most of the sporting codes remain amateur, and rely upon volunteers as administrators and officials.^[274]However, there are some professional teams. Notable teams representing Christchurch or the Canterbury region include theMainland Tactix(netball),Crusaders(rugby) and theCanterbury Kings(cricket).

The city has hosted many international competitions including championship events. A particularly notable international event held in Christchurch was the1974 Commonwealth Games.

There are many outdoor sportsgrounds and a variety of indoor venues.Christchurch City Councilmaintains 110 sportsgrounds across Christchurch City andBanks Peninsula.^[275]The sports venuesLancaster ParkandQueen Elizabeth II Parkwere damaged beyond repair in the2011 Christchurch earthquake, and were demolished.^[276]New facilities built to replace those damaged in the earthquake include theNgā Puna Wai Sports Hub,^[277]theParakiore Recreation and Sport Centre— an aquatic and indoor sports venue scheduled to open in 2025,^[278]and amulti–purpose covered stadiumTe Kahaseating 30,000 spectators that is expected to be complete by April 2026.^[279]

Christchurch is home to the fourth-largest school in New Zealand, co-educational state schoolBurnside High School, with 2,439 pupils.Cashmere High School,Papanui High SchoolandRiccarton High Schoolare other large schools. There are four single-sex state schools:Shirley Boys' High School,Christchurch Boys' High School,Avonside Girls' High SchoolandChristchurch Girls' High School.

Christchurch is also home to several single-sex private church schools, some of them of the traditionalEnglish public schooltype. These includeSt 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 CollegeandRangi Ruru Girls' School. Less conventional schools in the city includeAo 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

Christchurch is served byChristchurch Airportand by buses (local and long-distance) and trains. The local bus service, known asMetro,^[280]is provided byEnvironment Canterbury. The car, however, remains the dominant form of transport in the city, as with the rest of New Zealand.

Christchurch has over 2,300 km of roads, of this 360 km is unpaved, and 43 km is motorway.^[281]The city is served by State Highways1,73,74, 74A,75and76. Christchurch has three motorways consisting of theChristchurch Northern Motorway(includes theWestern Belfast Bypass),Christchurch Southern Motorwayand theChristchurch-Lyttelton Motorway.^[282][283]

Christchurch has an extensive bus network, with bus routes serving most areas of the city and satellite towns. Nearly all bus routes travelled through the central cityBus Exchangebefore the earthquake, but due to reduced passenger numbers since the earthquakes, especially in the central city, the bus network was reorganised to direct more localised services to hubs, such as major shopping centres, where they connect to the central station via core bus routes. Before the 2011 earthquakes, in addition to normal bus services, Christchurch also had a pioneeringzero-farehybridbus service, theShuttle, in the inner city. The service has been suspended following the earthquakes, and it is unclear whether it will resume again in the future.^[284]Bus services are also available leaving Christchurch, daily passenger bus services^[285]operates between Dunedin and Christchurch on the State Highway 1.

Historically, Christchurch has been known as New Zealand's cycling city,^[286]even earning the nickname "Cyclopolis" around the turn of the 20th century.^{[287][288][289]}Mark Twaindescribed Christchurch in 1895 as a place "where half the people ride bicycles and the other half are kept busy dodging them".^[290]The central city has very flat terrain and the Christchurch City Council has established a network of cycle lanes and paths, such as theRailway Cycleway. Post-quake public consultation on rebuilding the city expressed a strong desire for a more sustainable transport system, particularly greater use of cycling again, and this has been reflected in the council's strategic transport plan.^[291]The number of cycle paths across the city has continued to increase since the earthquakes.^[292]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.^[293]

There is a functioningtramway systemin Christchurch, but as a tourist attraction; its loop is restricted to a circuit of the central city. The trams were originally introduced in 1905 as a form of public transport, and ceased operating in 1954,^[294]but returned to the inner city (as a tourist attraction) in 1995. However, following the February 2011 earthquake, the system was damaged and within the cordoned off 'Red Zone' of the central city. The tramway reopened in November 2013 on a limited route, with plans to extend the tram route in 2014, first to reopen the complete pre-earthquake circuit, and then to open the extension travelling through the Re:Start Mall and High Street, which was being constructed when the 2011 earthquake struck.

There is acable carsystem called theChristchurch Gondolawhich operates as a tourist attraction, providing transport from theHeathcote Valleyto the top ofMount Cavendishin 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 andRangiora, ceased in 1976. After the reduction in services, a newChristchurch railway stationwas established at Addington Junction. TheMain North Linerailway travels northwards viaKaikōuratoPictonand is served by theCoastal Pacificscheduled passenger train while theMain South Lineheads toInvercargillviaDunedinand was used by theSoutherneruntil its cancellation in 2002.

The most famous train to depart Christchurch is theTranzAlpine, which travels along the Main South Line toRollestonand then turns onto theMidland Line, passes through theSouthern Alpsvia theOtira Tunnel, and terminates inGreymouthon theWest 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 Airportis located in Harewood, 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) to the north-west of the city centre. The airport is thesecond-busiest airportin New Zealand, with regular passenger services from Christchurch to sixteen New Zealand and seven international destinations.^[295]The airport serves as the major base for the New Zealand, South Korean, Italian andUnited States Antarcticprograms.^[296]

Christchurch has one of the highest-qualitywater suppliesin the world, with its water rated among the purest and cleanest in the world.^[297][298]Untreated, naturally filtered water is sourced, via more than 50 pumping stations surrounding the city, fromaquifersemanating from the foothills of theSouthern Alps.^[299]However, since 2018 about 70% of Christchurch's water supply has been temporarilychlorinateddue to well-head upgrades, and the chlorination is planned to be stopped after the upgrades have been completed and certified.^[300][301]

Christchurch was the first city in New Zealand to develop an underground sewerage network.^[302]In the early 1870s, Christchurch had a population of around 12,000 people. However, there was a high death rate from diseases such astyphoid, with 152 people dying in an epidemic from 1875 to 1876.^[303]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,^[304]the Christchurch Drainage Board was established, holding its first meeting on 4 January 1876.^[305]The first chairman of the board was the city mayor,Fred Hobbs, who had been a strong advocate for a drainage system.^[306]

In 1878, an English drainage engineerWilliam Clarkproposed detailed designs for an underground sewerage network for the city, with a pumping station to pump the sewage to sandhills inBromleyfor irrigation over land adjacent to the estuary.^[307]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.^[303][308]The 1903Cyclopedia of New Zealandstated that following the implementation of the drainage system "the city now ranks amongst the most healthy in the Colony".^[309]

The Christchurch City Council established the city's first public electricity supply in 1903, and the city was connected toColeridge Power Stationin 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 toMeridian Energy. In December 1998, the distribution business was renamedOrion New Zealand.^[310]Today, Orion owns and operates the local distribution network servicing the city, with electricity fed into it from twoTranspowersubstations atIslingtonand 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.^[311]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.^[312]

Telephone service was introduced in Christchurch on 1 October 1881 with the commissioning of New Zealand's first telephone exchange.^[313]The city converted to fully automatic service on 14 September 1929.^[314]Subscriber toll diallingwas introduced in Christchurch from 19 November 1976, with the city given the area code 03;^[315]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.^[316]Mobile phone service was introduced to Christchurch on 5 September 1988 by Telecom (nowSpark).^[317]

As part of theUltra Fast Broadbandinitiative,fibre to the premiseswas rolled out in Christchurch during the 2010s, with the network completed in August 2018.Enable Networksoperates the fibre network in Christchurch and Lyttelton, whileChorus Limitedoperates the fibre network in Diamond Harbour and in towns on the Banks Peninsula. Chorus also operates the copper network across all of Christchurch City.^[318]

The major daily newspaper in Christchurch isThe Press, which has a daily circulation of 31,207 and is owned byStuff.^[319]The Presswas first published on 25 May 1861, originally as a weekly paper before becoming a daily paper in March 1863.^[320]Weekly newspapers includeThe Star,owned byAllied Press, which began in 1868 as a daily evening newspaper before becoming a bi-weekly (and later weekly)free newspaperin 1991.^[321][322]

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 areNewstalk ZB,More FM, andThe Breeze.^[323]As with other New Zealand radio markets, most radio stations in Christchurch arecentralcastout of Auckland.

Television was introduced in Christchurch on 1 June 1961 with channel CHTV3. The channel networked with itsNZBCcounterparts in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin in 1969 and today is part ofTelevision New Zealand (TVNZ).^[324]As with radio, television channels in Christchurch are centralcast out of Auckland.

Christchurch'ssister citiesare:^[325]

Christchurch also has friendly relations withGansuin China.^[325]

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

• Evison, Harry (1993),Te Wai Pounamu, The Greenstone Island: A history of the southern Māori during the European colonization of New Zealand, Christchurch: Aoraki Press,ISBN9780908925070
• Morrison, J. P. (1948),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, Christchurch:Christchurch City Council,OCLC10562646
• Ogilvie, Gordon(2009).The Port Hills of Christchurch(2nd ed.). Christchurch: Phillips & King.ISBN9780958331562.
• Reed, A.W. (2002)The Reed dictionary of New Zealand place names.Auckland: Reed Books.ISBN0-790-00761-4.
• Rice, Geoffrey(2008).Christchurch Changing: An Illustrated History(2nd ed.). Christchurch: Canterbury University Press.ISBN978-0-908812-53-0.
• Wilson, John (2005),Contextual Historical Overview of Christchurch City(PDF)(report), Christchurch:Christchurch City Council,ISBN9781877313219,OCLC156459064, archived fromthe original(PDF)on 1 February 2023 – via Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission
• Wilson, John (2013).Contextual Historical Overview for Christchurch City – Revised 2013(PDF)(2nd ed.).Christchurch City Council.

• Christchurch City Council– official council website
• Ōtautahi Christchurch– official website of the Christchurch City Council economic development agency, includes a tourism guide and visitor information