Christchurch New Zealand Information

New Zealand Information Topics

Home > New Zealand Information > Christchurch Information

Christchurch

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Christchurch is a city on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand.

The city is named after the cathedral college of Christ Church in the University of Oxford. Its Maori name is Otautahi, from the Maori chief Tautahi who had a settlement on the banks of the Avon River.

Geography

Christchurch is the main city in Canterbury, New Zealand. It lies at the southern end of Pegasus Bay, in the middle of the east coast of the South Island, between Banks Peninsula and the Canterbury Plains. It is bounded, to the east by the Pacific Ocean coast and the estuary of the Avon and Heathcote rivers, to the south and south-east by the volcanic slopes of the Port Hills and in the north by the Waimakariri river.

The large number of public parks and many well developed residential gardens with many trees throughout the city have given it the name of The Garden City. Hagley Park and the Christchurch Botanic Gardens are located in the centre of the city, with Hagley Park being a site for sports such as golf, netball and rugby, and for open air concerts by local bands and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.

With much of the city being flat and only a few metres above sea level, spectacular views can be obtained from almost any high building. At these low elevations the city appears more like a forest with only a few buildings visible, rather than a major city.

Climate

Christchurch has a temperate climate, with temperatures in January ranging from an average minimum of 12°C to an average maximum of 21°C, and from 1°C to 10°C in July. Summer temperatures are often moderated by a sea breeze from the northeast. A notable feature of the weather is the nor'wester, a hot föhn wind that is associated with increases in suicide and domestic violence, and occasionally reaches gale force and causes widespread damage to property.

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. While not as bad as smog in Los Angeles, California, Christchurch smog has often been known to exceed World Health Organisation recommendations for air pollution. The city has strict requirements for domestic home heating in order to limit air pollution. In winter, it is not uncommon for snow to fall.

Demographics

On 6 March 2001, the area administered by the Christchurch City Council had a population of 316,227, making it the second largest in New Zealand, and the largest city in the South Island. The Christchurch Urban Area is the third largest in the country, after Auckland and Wellington.

The population is expected to grow to approximately 358,000 by 2021.

Economy

Local economy was based on the agricultural produce of the Canterbury plains. Early manufacturers processed agricultural produce, especially sheep and dairy products, into finished products. The early presence of the University of Canterbury and the heritage of the city's academic institutions working in association local businesses has fostered a number of technology based industries. The region now has a range of "new economy" sectors.

Tourism is also a significant factor of the local economy. The closeness of the ski-fields and other attractions of the Southern Alps and hotels and an airport that meets international standards make Christchurch a stopover destination for many tourists.

Government

Christchurch's local government is a democracy that includes:

• A city council comprised of a mayor, and 24 councillors elected in twelve wards.

• Six community boards, each including two of the twelve wards, with three members from each ward.

• The Canterbury Regional Council, including four Christchurch constituencies with two members from each constituency.

• The Canterbury District Health Board, with five members for Christchurch.

History

Archeological evidence found in a cave at Redcliffs indicates that the Christchurch area was first settled by moa-hunting tribes. Maori oral history tells that humans began living in the area around 1000 AD. These first inhabitants were followed by the Waitaha who are thought to have migrated from the east coast of the North Island in the 16th century. This migration was joined by the Ngati Mamoe and Ngai Tahu and continued until about 1830.

Although there were settlers from the 1830s, notably the Deans at Riccarton, what are regarded as the First Four Ships were chartered by the Canterbury Association, and arrived on December 16, 1850 bringing the first English settlers to Lyttelton Harbour. The four ships were The Randolph, The Charlotte Jane, Sir George Seymour, and Cressy.

Captain Thomas, the Canterbury Association's Chief Surveyor surveyed the surrounding area. By December 1849 he had commissioned the construction of a road from Port Cooper, later called Lyttelton, to Christchurch via Sumner. However this proved more difficult than expected and road construction was stopped while a steep foot and pack horse track was constructed over the hill between the port and the Heathcote valley, where access to the site of the proposed settlement could be gained. This track became known as the Bridle Path, because the path was so steep that pack horses needed to be led by the bridle.

Goods that were too heavy or bulky to be transported by pack horse over the Bridle Path were shipped by small sailing vessels some eight miles by water around the coast and up the estuary to Ferrymead. New Zealand's first public railway line was opened from Ferrymead to Christchurch in 1863. Due to the difficulties in travelling over the Port Hills and the dangers associated with shipping navigating the Sumner bar, a railway tunnel was bored through the Port Hills to Lyttelton, opening in 1867.

Christchurch became a city by Royal Charter on July 31, 1856, making it the oldest city in New Zealand.

Christchurch was the seat of provincial administration for the province of Canterbury.

A road tunnel was constructed between Lyttelton and Christchurch in the early 1960s.

In 1974 Christchurch was host to the Commonwealth Games.

Antarctic Gateway

Christchurch has played a significant role in the history of Antarctic exploration. Both Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton used the port of Lyttelton as the final departure point for expeditions, and there is a statue of Scott (sculpted by his widow) in the central city. Christchurch International Airport serves as the major base for the New Zealand and Italian Antarctic programmes as well as the United States Antarctic Program. The International Antarctic Centre provides both base facilities and a museum and visitor centre.

Tourist Attractions

Cathedral Square in Christchurch.

Tourist Attractions include:

• Deans Bush, the Botanic Gardens and Hagley Park.

• Canterbury Museum

• Ferrymead Historic Park

• International Antarctic Centre.

• Christchurch City Art Gallery (opened 2003)

• Historic electric tram.

• The Christchurch Arts Centre and site of "Ernest Rutherford's Den".

• The Provincial Chambers and the Anglican Cathedral in the Square.

• The Timeball Station in Lyttelton.

• The New Brighton Pier.

• Heathcote Gondola.

• The Summit Road along the top of the Port Hills and Godley Head Road provides numerous spectacular views of the area and features the buildings created as wayside rests, the Sign of the Takahe (now a function centre) and Sign of the Kiwi.

• Walkways include the Bridle Path and Whitewash Head, a bird sanctuary.

Entertainment

Theatre

Christchurch has one full-time professional theatre, the Court Theatre. There is also an active recreational theatre scene.

Cinema

Christchurch has approximately 35 cinema screens, with more planned in the next few years. While historically most cinemas were grouped around Cathedral Square, only the Regent complex remains there. The largest multiplexes are the Hoyts 8 in the old central railway station (Moorhouse Ave) and Reading Cinemas (8) in the Palms shopping centre in the suburb of Shirley.

Concert Venues

• The Westpac Centre is New Zealand's largest permanent multipurpose arena, seating between 5000 - 8000 depending on configuration. It was the venue for the 2001 World Netball championships.

• The Town Hall Auditorium (2000 seats, opened 1974) was the first major auditorium design by architects Warren and Mahoney and acousticians Marshall Day. It is still recognised as a model example of concert-hall design.

Dance Parties

Christchurch has a wide range of dance parties. Information can be obtained from cafes such as C-ONE on High Street. While most of the parties are either house or drum'n'bass, occasionally there are good trance parties.

Sport

• Rugby Union, represented by the Canterbury Crusaders in the Super 12 competition

• Golf The city has more than a dozen golf courses and has hosted the PGA-sanctioned Clearwater Classic since 2002.

• Netball, represented by the Canterbury Flames in the national league.

• Cricket

• Yachting and windsurfing

• Swimming, surfing, surf lifesaving, surfcasting and fishing

• Hang gliding and parasailing

Colleges and universities

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

• Christchurch College of Education

• Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology

• Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences (Otago University)

• Lincoln University

• Southern Institute of Technology

• University of Canterbury

Transportation

Christchurch is served by Christchurch International Airport.