Christchurch guide

The city was named by the Canterbury Association, which settled the surrounding province of Canterbury. The name of Christchurch was agreed on at the first meeting of the association on 27 March 1848. It was suggested by John Robert Godley, who had attended Christ Church, Oxford. Some early writers called the town Christ Church, but it was recorded as Christchurch in the minutes of the management committee of the association.

The river which flows through the centre of the city (its banks now largely forming an urban park) was named Avon at the request of the pioneering Deans brothers to commemorate the Scottish Avon, which rises in the Ayrshire hills near what was their grandfathers' farm and flows into the Clyde.

The usual Māori name for Christchurch is Ōtautahi ("the place of Tautahi"). This was originally the name of a specific site by the Avon River near present-day Kilmore Street and the Christchurch Central Fire Station. The site was a seasonal dwelling of Ngāi Tahu chief Te Potiki Tautahi, whose main home was Port Levy on Banks Peninsula. The Ōtautahi name was adopted in the 1930s. Prior to that the Ngāi Tahu generally referred to the Christchurch area as Karaitiana.

 


Latest Tweets featuring Christchurch

  • MrMikeMcRoberts

    Congratulations to the Christchurch painters who handed in 65 grand in coins - they could have parked in Auckland for a week with that.

    Today, 08:22

  • BreakingNews

    Earthquake, magnitude 5.2, strikes near Christchurch, NZ - @geonet http://t.co/iVACqZsf

    May 25th, 04:58

  • AP

    Magnitude-4.7 quake rattles Christchurch; inner city closed, but no injuries reported: http://t.co/gq0ymJhI -MS

    May 25th, 07:31

  • ChchWeatherNZ

    Christchurch, Weather :: 1C° Fog in the vicinity: 1C° Fog in the vicinity

    Today, 23:13

  • MiZ_CaRLY

    I'm at New World (Christchurch, Canterbury) http://t.co/s4HpsDj0

    Today, 23:09

  • MiZ_CaRLY

    I'm at South City Centre (Christchurch, Canterbury) http://t.co/JWhoYCpV

    Today, 23:09

  • HuffPostRelig

    @ChristChurch_FT thanks!

    Today, 23:08

  • BoobierJames

    @VikkiMinxymoo @MarcPugh7 guest appearance at Christchurch youth presentation week sat? Mmm go on ;0)

    Today, 23:07

  • nalaknip

    @NannoWinkel Worst one I ever experienced was in France. Thought it was closest I've come to an Earthquake. Until the 4.2 in Christchurch!

    Today, 23:06

  • GetMeFitNZ

    We would like to wish the GMF girls that are participating in the Christchurch Marathon this weekend all the best.

    Today, 23:02

  • SCIRT_info

    #SCIRT progress: 59 projects valued at $90 million, currently under construction around #Christchurch #chch #eqnz

    Today, 23:01

  • Martin_Kirk

    Let's explore Anatomy, Therapy & Asana in Christchurch, NZ, June 8-10. http://t.co/DfYKBL7L

    Today, 23:01

  • Kiwi_Stevie

    @DaztheJack Not heard of him before? Swansea legend? Yeah going well so far, heading to Christchurch later today, hope new hotel has heater!

    Today, 22:55

  • ChristchurchLib

    Smell bookish! Try perfume "In the library" http://t.co/00TYsTVb Paperback http://t.co/EepatPvr + perfumed reads http://t.co/18SI1Z8q ^DR

    Today, 22:52

  • Lucyodriscoll22

    chillen at home alone coz im going to christchurch soon. NANDOS TIME:)

    Today, 22:52

  • clarksca

    I'm at Northlands Mall (Papanui, Christchurch) http://t.co/khzyaqdQ

    Today, 22:51

  • Lucyodriscoll22

    hey wat u doin? im going to christchurch at 11:00:)@I_luvreece

    Today, 22:51

  • ewohiwocy

    Wallmonkeys Peel and Stick Wall Decals - Oxford Aerial View, with Tom Tower Oc Christchurch College - 24"W x 15"... http://t.co/zWQf10rU

    Today, 22:46

Featured Businesses and Services in Christchurch

Other Businesses and Services in Christchurch

Do you have, or know of, a company or business that operates in Christchurch?

Click here to register and add the company!