Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Christchurch shopping experience:

1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Christchurch offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Christchurch at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.

2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about

3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Christchurch? Wrong! If the Christchurch is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.

4. Questions - Got a question about Christchurch then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....

5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Christchurch? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Christchurch and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.

6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Christchurch wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.

7. Feedback - happy with your Christchurch then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.

8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Christchurch site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site

9. Contact - got a question about Christchurch, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.

10. Payment - ready to pay for your Christchurch, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.

{| class="infobox bordered" align=right cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=275 style="clear:right; margin: 0 0 1em 1em; background: #f9f9f9; font-size: 95%;"|-|colspan=2 align=center bgcolor="#BFDFFF"|ChristchurchŌtautahi (Māori language)|-|colspan=2 align:center | |-|List of countries: || New Zealand) (Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy, Christchurch City Council, 2007)
359,900
(territorial, 2006 Census - provisional)|-!colspan=2 align=center bgcolor="#BFDFFF"|[New Zealand urban area|-|Extent:||City area, Kaiapoi,
Prebbleton, Rolleston, Lincoln, Rangiora, Lyttelton, New Zealand &
Diamond Harbour|-|Land Area:||1,426 km²|-!colspan=2 align=center bgcolor="#BFDFFF"|Territorial Authority|-|colspan=2 align=center| |-|colspan=2 align=center|Coat of Arms of the Christchurch City Council]|-|Extent:|| North: to Waimakariri River,
East: entire Banks Peninsula,
West: to Templeton, New Zealand.|-|Land Area:|| 452 km²|-|Website:||http://www.ccc.govt.nz|-|See also:||Waimakariri District
(includes Kaiapoi)
Selwyn (district), New Zealand|-!colspan=2 align=center bgcolor="#BFDFFF"|List of regions in New Zealand|-|Name:||Canterbury, New Zealand|-|Website:||http://www.ecan.govt.nz|}) towards Christchurch and surrounding areas.

Christchurch () is the Regions of New Zealand capital of Canterbury, New Zealand. The largest city in the South Island, it is also the second largest city and third largest Urban areas of New Zealand. A coastal city, it is situated just north of Banks Peninsula, midway down the South Island's east coast.

The city is named after the Christ Church (cathedral), New Zealand, which is itself named after Christ Church, Oxford, a college at the University of Oxford, and the Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford. The city was originally known as Christ Church, the written form consolidating by the 1880s.

The usual Māori name Ōtautahi is a shortened form of Te Whenua o Te Potiki-Tautahi - named for the seasonal dwelling of Ngai Tahu chief Tautahi of Port Levy on a bank of the Avon River, New Zealand near to where the Barbadoes Street bridge now stands. Ōtautahi (from the Christchurch City Library website)

Geography Christchurch lies in Canterbury, New Zealand, near the centre of the east coast of the South Island, between Banks Peninsula and the Canterbury Plains. It is located near the southern end of Pegasus Bay, and is bounded to the east by the Pacific Ocean coast and the estuary of the Avon River, New Zealand as well as the Heathcote River. To the south and south-east the city is limited by the volcanic slopes of the Port Hills, and to the north by the braided Waimakariri River.

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 low elevations the city may appear almost forested with only a few buildings visible, unlike a major city.

Central City At the centre of the city is Cathedral Square, Christchurch, surrounding the Anglican cathedral, Christ Church (cathedral), New Zealand. The area around this square and within the four avenues of Christchurch (Bealey Avenue, Fitzgerald Avenue, Moorhouse Avenue and Rolleston Avenue) is considered the Central Business District of the city.

Cathedral Square is a popular destination and hosts attractions such as the speakers' corner made famous by the Wizard of New Zealand. The central city includes the pedestrianised Cashel Street as Christchurch's urban mall. At one end of the mall stands the Bridge Of Remembrance; at the other end the amphitheatre known as the Hack Circle.

The central city also has a number of residential areas, including Inner City East, Inner City West, Avon Loop, Moa & Victoria.

Inner suburbs (clockwise, starting north of the city centre)

Mairehau; Shirley, New Zealand; Richmond, Canterbury; Avonside; Linwood, New Zealand; Woolston, New Zealand; Opawa; Waltham, New Zealand; St Martins, New Zealand; Beckenham, New Zealand; Sydenham, New Zealand; Somerfield (Suburb); Spreydon; Addington, New Zealand; Riccarton, New Zealand; Ilam, New Zealand; Burnside, Christchurch; Fendalton; Bryndwr; Strowan; Merivale; Papanui; St Albans, New Zealand.

Outer suburbs (clockwise, starting north of the city centre)

Marshland, New Zealand; Burwood, New Zealand; Parklands, New Zealand; Waimairi Beach; Avondale, New Zealand; New Brighton, New Zealand; Bexley, New Zealand; Aranui; South Brighton; Southshore, New Zealand; Bromley, New Zealand; Mt Pleasant; Redcliffs; Sumner, New Zealand; Ferrymead; Heathcote Valley; Hillsborough; Murray Aynsley; Huntsbury; Cashmere, New Zealand; Westmorland, New Zealand; Hoon Hay; Halswell; Oaklands, New Zealand; Wigram; Middleton, New Zealand; Sockburn, New Zealand; Hornby, New Zealand; Islington, New Zealand; Templeton, New Zealand; Yaldhurst; Russley; Avonhead; Harewood, New Zealand; Bishopdale, New Zealand; Casebrook; Redwood, New Zealand; Belfast, New Zealand; Brooklands, New Zealand.

Satellite towns (clockwise, starting north of the city centre)

Lyttelton, New Zealand; Tai Tapu; Lincoln, New Zealand; Prebbleton; Rolleston, New Zealand; West Melton, New Zealand; Rangiora, New Zealand; Kaiapoi.

Climate Overview Christchurch has a temperate climate, with maximum temperatures in January ranging from 15°C to 25°C (often reaching 30°C or higher), and maximum temperatures in July ranging from 5°C to 15°C. The summer climate is often moderated by a sea breeze from the northeast, but a record temperature of 41.6°C was reached in February 1973. A notable feature of the weather is the Nor'west arch, a hot föhn wind that occasionally reaches storm force, causing widespread minor damage to property. Canterbury's damaging nor'wester (from the Meteorological Service of New Zealand Limited website)

In winter it is common for the temperature to fall below 0°C at night. There are on average 70 days of ground frost per year. Mean Number Of Days Of Ground Frost (from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research website) Snow falls occur on average once or twice a year in the hill suburbs and about once or twice every two years on the plain.

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 or Mexico City, Christchurch smog has often exceeded World Health Organisation recommendations for air pollution. Air Pollution Today (from the Environment Canterbury website) The city has funding available to upgrade domestic home heating systems, and in order to limit air pollution will likely ban some forms of fire-based heating systems within the next two years. Air (from the Environment Canterbury website)

Temperatures {| class="wikitable" style="width: 75%; margin: 0 auto 0 auto;"|+ Climate Table|-!! Jan! Feb! Mar! Apr! May! Jun! Jul! Aug! Sep! Oct! Nov! Dec! Year|-! Mean daily maximum temperature (Celsius)|22.5|22.2|20.4|17.8|14.6|11.7|11.3|12.4|14.9|17.4|19.2|21.2|17.1|-! Mean daily minimum temperature (Celsius)|12.2|12.1|10.6| 7.7| 4.5| 2.1| 1.9| 2.9| 5.1| 7.2| 8.9| 10.9| 7.2|-! Mean total rainfall (Millimetre)|42|39|54|54|56|66|79|69|47|53|44|49|648|-| colspan="15" style="text-align: center;" | Source: Niwa Science climate data|}


Structure Demographics On 6 March 2004, the area administered by the Christchurch City Council had a population of 344,100, 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 by population, after Auckland and Wellington.

The following table shows the ethnic profile of Christchurch's population, as recorded in the 2001 and 2006 New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings. The percentages add up to more than 100%, as some people counted themselves as belonging to more than one ethnic group. Figures for 2006 refer to just Christchurch City, not the whole urban area. The substantial percentage drop in the numbers of 'Europeans' was mainly caused by the increasing numbers of people from this group choosing to define themselves as 'New Zealanders' - even though this was not one of the groups listed on the census form.

{| class="wikitable"! Ethnic Group !! 2001 (%) !! 2001 (people) 2001 Regional Summary, Statistics New Zealand !! 2006 (%) !! 2006 (people) 2006 Regional Summary Tables by Regional Council, Statistics New Zealandan || 89.8 || 291,594 || 75.4 || 255,366|-|'New Zealanders' || n/a || n/a || 12.9 || 43,671|-|[Asian people || 5.5 || 17,703 || 7.9 || 26,631|-|Māori ] || 2.4 || 7,713 || 2.8 || 9,465|-|Middle East/Latin America/[Africaity of the region. Accordingly, 283,986 people in Christchurch City spoke one language only, while 37,947 spoke two, and 7,881 could converse in three or more languages.

Economy The early local economics 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 with local businesses have fostered a number of technology-based industries. The region 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 meet international standards make Christchurch a stopover destination for many tourists. It is particularly hospitable to and popular amongst Japanese tourists, The Sister City link with Christchurch (from christchurch.org, aChristchurch City Council website) with signage around Cathedral Square in Japanese language, and some local churches being popular for weddings of Japanese couples, followed by honeymoons in Queenstown.

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

In 1993, Christchurch was selected as the "Best Run City in the World", also known as the 'Carl Bertelsmann Prize: Local Government', by the Bertelsmann Foundation of Germany. Especially noted was the increased efficiency of communal services in competition with private enterprises. Christchurch shared the award honour with Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Carl Bertelsmann-Preis 1993: Kommunalverwaltung (from the Bertelsmann Foundation website, in German language)

Education Secondary schools Christchurch is well-known for several very traditional schools of the Independent school (UK) type, such as Christ's College, Canterbury, St Andrew's College, Christchurch, St. Margaret's College and Rangi Ruru, but also has several less conventional schools such as Unlimited paenga tawhiti and Hagley Community College. Christchurch is also the location of Burnside High School which is well known for it's Specialist Music Programme and is the second largest school in New Zealand with 2650 students. Christchurch Schools with homepages (from the 'Heurisko School Server' website) Another large school is Riccarton High School, founded in 1957.

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



Transport Christchurch is served by Christchurch International Airport and by buses (local and long-distance) and trains. The local bus service, known as Metro, is provided by Environment Canterbury. The car, however, remains the dominant form of transport. The central city has very flat terrain and the City Council are establishing a network of cycle lanes on roads.

There is a functioning tram service in Christchurch, but as a tourist attraction, its loop is restricted to a circuit of the central city. The trams were originally introduced in 1905, ceased operating in 1954, but returned to the inner city in 1995. In addition to nomal bus services, Christchurch also has a pioneering zero-fare hybrid vehicle bus service, the Shuttle, in the inner city.

The Main North Line railway travels northwards via Kaikoura to Picton, New Zealand and is served by the famous TranzCoastal passenger train, while the Main South Line heads to Invercargill via Dunedin and was used by The Southerner (train) until its cancellation in 2002. The most famous train to depart Christchurch is the TranzAlpine, which travels along the Main South Line to Rolleston and then turns onto the Midland Line, New Zealand, passes through the Southern Alps via the Otira Tunnel, and terminates in Greymouth, New Zealand in West Coast, New Zealand. This trip is often regarded to be one of the ten great train journeys in the world for the amazing scenery through which it passes. The TranzAlpine service is purely a tourist service and carries no significant commuter traffic.

History Overview Archeological evidence found in a cave at Redcliffs in 1876 has indicated that the Christchurch area was first settled by moa-hunting tribes about 1250. Māori oral history relates that humans occupied the area around the year 1000. These first inhabitants were thought to have been followed by the Waitaha tribe, who are said to have migrated from the East coast of the North Island in the 16th century. Following tribal warfare, the Waitaha (made of three peoples) were dispossessed by the Ngati Mamoe tribe. They were in turn subjugated by the Ngai Tahu tribe, who remained in control until the arrival of European settlers.

Following the purchase of land at Putaringamotu (modern Riccarton) by the Weller brothers whalers of Otago and Sydney a party of European settlers led by Herriott and McGillivray established themselves in what is now the Christchurch area, early in 1840. Their abandoned holdings were taken over by the Deans brothers in 1843 who stayed. The First Four Ships were chartered by the Canterbury Association and arrived on 16 December 1850, bringing the first 792 of the Canterbury Pilgrims to Lyttelton, New Zealand. These sailing vessels were the Randolph (ship), Charlotte-Jane, Sir George Seymour (ship), and Cressy (ship). The Canterbury Pilgrims had aspirations of building a city around a cathedral and college, on the model of Christ Church, Oxford in Oxford. Cathedral History (from the official Christ Church (cathedral), New Zealand website) The name "Christ Church" was decided prior to the ships' arrival, at the Association's first meeting, on 27 March 1848.

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 Lyttelton, New Zealand, to Christchurch via Sumner, New Zealand. However this proved more difficult than expected and road construction was stopped while a steep foot and packhorse 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, New Zealand, because the path was so steep that pack horses needed to be led by the bridle.Rescue, the Sumner community and its lifeboat service - Amodeo, Colin (editor), Christchurch: Sumner Lifeboat Institution Incorporated, 1998

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, the Ferrymead Railway, 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 31 July 1856, the first in New Zealand. Many of the city's Gothic architecture buildings by architect Benjamin Mountfort date from this period.

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

In 1947, New Zealand's worst fire disaster occurred at Ballantyne's Department Store in the inner city, with 41 people killed in a blaze which razed the rambling collection of buildings.

The Lyttelton Road Tunnel between Lyttelton and Christchurch was opened in 1964.

Christchurch was also host to the 1974 British Commonwealth Games.

Gateway to the Antarctic Christchurch has a history of involvement in History of Antarctica -- both Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton used the port of Lyttelton as a 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 Italian and United States Antarctic programs as well as the New Zealand Antarctic programme. The International Antarctic Centre provides both base facilities and a museum and visitor centre.

Famous people

Visitor attractions

Entertainment Parks & Nature The large number of public parks and well-developed residential gardens with many trees has given Christchurch the name of The Garden City. Christchurch, the Garden City (from the Christchurch City Council website) Hagley Park and the 30-hectare (75-acre) Christchurch Botanic Gardens, founded in 1863, are in the central city, with Hagley Park being a site for sports such as golf, cricket, netball, and rugby football, and for open air concerts by local bands and orchestras.

Cinema & Theatre While historically most cinemas were grouped around Cathedral Square, Regent Theatre 1930-1976 (from the Canterbury Film Society website) only the Regent complex remains there, which was rebuilt as 'Regent on Worcester' in 1996. Only one of the first generation of suburban cinemas, the Hollywood in Sumner, remains open. The largest multiplexes are the Hoyts in the old Railway Station on Moorhouse Avenue and Reading Cinemas (also eight screens) in the Palms shopping centre in Shirley. The recently (2006) opened Hoyts in Riccarton had the largest screen in New Zealand - although this has recently (2007) been surpassed by Auckland, which now has the largest movie theatre screen in the world, incorporated into the new Sylvia Park shopping complex.

The Christchurch Arts Centre includes two art house cinemas, Cloisters and The Academy, screening a wide selection of contemporary, classic and foreign language films. These cinemas participate in an annual film festival, along with Rialto Cinemas on Moorhouse Avenue.

There is an active film society in the city, Canterbury Film Society (from the official Canterbury Film Society website) and several cinemas operate in Christchurch. Local Cinemas (from the official Canterbury Film Society website)

Christchurch has one full-time professional theatre, the Court Theatre (NZ), Court Theatre (from the official Court Theatre website) which is based in the Christchurch Arts Centre. There is also an active recreational theatre scene.

Music The city is known for its many live acts. and also has a professional symphony orchestra. Christchurch Symphony (from the official Christchurch Symphony Orchestra website)

There are usually buskers around the town square, and Christchurch also hosts the World Buskers Festival in January each year.

Venues The Westpac Arena is New Zealand's second largest permanent multipurpose arena, seating between 5000 and 8000, depending on configuration. It is home of the Canterbury Rams basketball team, and Canterbury Flames netball side. It was the venue for the 1999 World Netball championships and has been host to many concerts in recent years.

The Christchurch Town Hall (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. It has an excellent modern pipe organ.

Christchurch also has a Casino, Christchurch Casino (official Christchurch Casino website) and there are also a wide range of live music venues - some short-lived, others with decades of history.

Sport Sports







Venues









Sister cities Christchurch has seven town twinning around the world. They are: Sister Cities of Christchurch (from the Christchurch City Council website)



References

External links Official Organisations:

Culture & Information:

Tourism & Maps:



{| class="infobox bordered" align=right cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=275 style="clear:right; margin: 0 0 1em 1em; background: #f9f9f9; font-size: 95%;"|-|colspan=2 align=center bgcolor="#BFDFFF"|ChristchurchŌtautahi (Māori language)|-|colspan=2 align:center | |-|List of countries: || New Zealand) (Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy, Christchurch City Council, 2007)
359,900
(territorial, 2006 Census - provisional)|-!colspan=2 align=center bgcolor="#BFDFFF"|[New Zealand urban area|-|Extent:||City area, Kaiapoi,
Prebbleton, Rolleston, Lincoln, Rangiora, Lyttelton, New Zealand &
Diamond Harbour|-|Land Area:||1,426 km²|-!colspan=2 align=center bgcolor="#BFDFFF"|Territorial Authority|-|colspan=2 align=center| |-|colspan=2 align=center|Coat of Arms of the Christchurch City Council]|-|Extent:|| North: to Waimakariri River,
East: entire Banks Peninsula,
West: to Templeton, New Zealand.|-|Land Area:|| 452 km²|-|Website:||http://www.ccc.govt.nz|-|See also:||Waimakariri District
(includes Kaiapoi)
Selwyn (district), New Zealand|-!colspan=2 align=center bgcolor="#BFDFFF"|List of regions in New Zealand|-|Name:||Canterbury, New Zealand|-|Website:||http://www.ecan.govt.nz|}) towards Christchurch and surrounding areas.

Christchurch () is the Regions of New Zealand capital of Canterbury, New Zealand. The largest city in the South Island, it is also the second largest city and third largest Urban areas of New Zealand. A coastal city, it is situated just north of Banks Peninsula, midway down the South Island's east coast.

The city is named after the Christ Church (cathedral), New Zealand, which is itself named after Christ Church, Oxford, a college at the University of Oxford, and the Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford. The city was originally known as Christ Church, the written form consolidating by the 1880s.

The usual Māori name Ōtautahi is a shortened form of Te Whenua o Te Potiki-Tautahi - named for the seasonal dwelling of Ngai Tahu chief Tautahi of Port Levy on a bank of the Avon River, New Zealand near to where the Barbadoes Street bridge now stands. Ōtautahi (from the Christchurch City Library website)

Geography Christchurch lies in Canterbury, New Zealand, near the centre of the east coast of the South Island, between Banks Peninsula and the Canterbury Plains. It is located near the southern end of Pegasus Bay, and is bounded to the east by the Pacific Ocean coast and the estuary of the Avon River, New Zealand as well as the Heathcote River. To the south and south-east the city is limited by the volcanic slopes of the Port Hills, and to the north by the braided Waimakariri River.

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 low elevations the city may appear almost forested with only a few buildings visible, unlike a major city.

Central City At the centre of the city is Cathedral Square, Christchurch, surrounding the Anglican cathedral, Christ Church (cathedral), New Zealand. The area around this square and within the four avenues of Christchurch (Bealey Avenue, Fitzgerald Avenue, Moorhouse Avenue and Rolleston Avenue) is considered the Central Business District of the city.

Cathedral Square is a popular destination and hosts attractions such as the speakers' corner made famous by the Wizard of New Zealand. The central city includes the pedestrianised Cashel Street as Christchurch's urban mall. At one end of the mall stands the Bridge Of Remembrance; at the other end the amphitheatre known as the Hack Circle.

The central city also has a number of residential areas, including Inner City East, Inner City West, Avon Loop, Moa & Victoria.

Inner suburbs (clockwise, starting north of the city centre)

Mairehau; Shirley, New Zealand; Richmond, Canterbury; Avonside; Linwood, New Zealand; Woolston, New Zealand; Opawa; Waltham, New Zealand; St Martins, New Zealand; Beckenham, New Zealand; Sydenham, New Zealand; Somerfield (Suburb); Spreydon; Addington, New Zealand; Riccarton, New Zealand; Ilam, New Zealand; Burnside, Christchurch; Fendalton; Bryndwr; Strowan; Merivale; Papanui; St Albans, New Zealand.

Outer suburbs (clockwise, starting north of the city centre)

Marshland, New Zealand; Burwood, New Zealand; Parklands, New Zealand; Waimairi Beach; Avondale, New Zealand; New Brighton, New Zealand; Bexley, New Zealand; Aranui; South Brighton; Southshore, New Zealand; Bromley, New Zealand; Mt Pleasant; Redcliffs; Sumner, New Zealand; Ferrymead; Heathcote Valley; Hillsborough; Murray Aynsley; Huntsbury; Cashmere, New Zealand; Westmorland, New Zealand; Hoon Hay; Halswell; Oaklands, New Zealand; Wigram; Middleton, New Zealand; Sockburn, New Zealand; Hornby, New Zealand; Islington, New Zealand; Templeton, New Zealand; Yaldhurst; Russley; Avonhead; Harewood, New Zealand; Bishopdale, New Zealand; Casebrook; Redwood, New Zealand; Belfast, New Zealand; Brooklands, New Zealand.

Satellite towns (clockwise, starting north of the city centre)

Lyttelton, New Zealand; Tai Tapu; Lincoln, New Zealand; Prebbleton; Rolleston, New Zealand; West Melton, New Zealand; Rangiora, New Zealand; Kaiapoi.

Climate Overview Christchurch has a temperate climate, with maximum temperatures in January ranging from 15°C to 25°C (often reaching 30°C or higher), and maximum temperatures in July ranging from 5°C to 15°C. The summer climate is often moderated by a sea breeze from the northeast, but a record temperature of 41.6°C was reached in February 1973. A notable feature of the weather is the Nor'west arch, a hot föhn wind that occasionally reaches storm force, causing widespread minor damage to property. Canterbury's damaging nor'wester (from the Meteorological Service of New Zealand Limited website)

In winter it is common for the temperature to fall below 0°C at night. There are on average 70 days of ground frost per year. Mean Number Of Days Of Ground Frost (from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research website) Snow falls occur on average once or twice a year in the hill suburbs and about once or twice every two years on the plain.

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 or Mexico City, Christchurch smog has often exceeded World Health Organisation recommendations for air pollution. Air Pollution Today (from the Environment Canterbury website) The city has funding available to upgrade domestic home heating systems, and in order to limit air pollution will likely ban some forms of fire-based heating systems within the next two years. Air (from the Environment Canterbury website)

Temperatures {| class="wikitable" style="width: 75%; margin: 0 auto 0 auto;"|+ Climate Table|-!! Jan! Feb! Mar! Apr! May! Jun! Jul! Aug! Sep! Oct! Nov! Dec! Year|-! Mean daily maximum temperature (Celsius)|22.5|22.2|20.4|17.8|14.6|11.7|11.3|12.4|14.9|17.4|19.2|21.2|17.1|-! Mean daily minimum temperature (Celsius)|12.2|12.1|10.6| 7.7| 4.5| 2.1| 1.9| 2.9| 5.1| 7.2| 8.9| 10.9| 7.2|-! Mean total rainfall (Millimetre)|42|39|54|54|56|66|79|69|47|53|44|49|648|-| colspan="15" style="text-align: center;" | Source: Niwa Science climate data|}


Structure Demographics On 6 March 2004, the area administered by the Christchurch City Council had a population of 344,100, 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 by population, after Auckland and Wellington.

The following table shows the ethnic profile of Christchurch's population, as recorded in the 2001 and 2006 New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings. The percentages add up to more than 100%, as some people counted themselves as belonging to more than one ethnic group. Figures for 2006 refer to just Christchurch City, not the whole urban area. The substantial percentage drop in the numbers of 'Europeans' was mainly caused by the increasing numbers of people from this group choosing to define themselves as 'New Zealanders' - even though this was not one of the groups listed on the census form.

{| class="wikitable"! Ethnic Group !! 2001 (%) !! 2001 (people) 2001 Regional Summary, Statistics New Zealand !! 2006 (%) !! 2006 (people) 2006 Regional Summary Tables by Regional Council, Statistics New Zealandan || 89.8 || 291,594 || 75.4 || 255,366|-|'New Zealanders' || n/a || n/a || 12.9 || 43,671|-|[Asian people || 5.5 || 17,703 || 7.9 || 26,631|-|Māori ] || 2.4 || 7,713 || 2.8 || 9,465|-|Middle East/Latin America/[Africaity of the region. Accordingly, 283,986 people in Christchurch City spoke one language only, while 37,947 spoke two, and 7,881 could converse in three or more languages.

Economy The early local economics 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 with local businesses have fostered a number of technology-based industries. The region 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 meet international standards make Christchurch a stopover destination for many tourists. It is particularly hospitable to and popular amongst Japanese tourists, The Sister City link with Christchurch (from christchurch.org, aChristchurch City Council website) with signage around Cathedral Square in Japanese language, and some local churches being popular for weddings of Japanese couples, followed by honeymoons in Queenstown.

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

In 1993, Christchurch was selected as the "Best Run City in the World", also known as the 'Carl Bertelsmann Prize: Local Government', by the Bertelsmann Foundation of Germany. Especially noted was the increased efficiency of communal services in competition with private enterprises. Christchurch shared the award honour with Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Carl Bertelsmann-Preis 1993: Kommunalverwaltung (from the Bertelsmann Foundation website, in German language)

Education Secondary schools Christchurch is well-known for several very traditional schools of the Independent school (UK) type, such as Christ's College, Canterbury, St Andrew's College, Christchurch, St. Margaret's College and Rangi Ruru, but also has several less conventional schools such as Unlimited paenga tawhiti and Hagley Community College. Christchurch is also the location of Burnside High School which is well known for it's Specialist Music Programme and is the second largest school in New Zealand with 2650 students. Christchurch Schools with homepages (from the 'Heurisko School Server' website) Another large school is Riccarton High School, founded in 1957.

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



Transport Christchurch is served by Christchurch International Airport and by buses (local and long-distance) and trains. The local bus service, known as Metro, is provided by Environment Canterbury. The car, however, remains the dominant form of transport. The central city has very flat terrain and the City Council are establishing a network of cycle lanes on roads.

There is a functioning tram service in Christchurch, but as a tourist attraction, its loop is restricted to a circuit of the central city. The trams were originally introduced in 1905, ceased operating in 1954, but returned to the inner city in 1995. In addition to nomal bus services, Christchurch also has a pioneering zero-fare hybrid vehicle bus service, the Shuttle, in the inner city.

The Main North Line railway travels northwards via Kaikoura to Picton, New Zealand and is served by the famous TranzCoastal passenger train, while the Main South Line heads to Invercargill via Dunedin and was used by The Southerner (train) until its cancellation in 2002. The most famous train to depart Christchurch is the TranzAlpine, which travels along the Main South Line to Rolleston and then turns onto the Midland Line, New Zealand, passes through the Southern Alps via the Otira Tunnel, and terminates in Greymouth, New Zealand in West Coast, New Zealand. This trip is often regarded to be one of the ten great train journeys in the world for the amazing scenery through which it passes. The TranzAlpine service is purely a tourist service and carries no significant commuter traffic.

History Overview Archeological evidence found in a cave at Redcliffs in 1876 has indicated that the Christchurch area was first settled by moa-hunting tribes about 1250. Māori oral history relates that humans occupied the area around the year 1000. These first inhabitants were thought to have been followed by the Waitaha tribe, who are said to have migrated from the East coast of the North Island in the 16th century. Following tribal warfare, the Waitaha (made of three peoples) were dispossessed by the Ngati Mamoe tribe. They were in turn subjugated by the Ngai Tahu tribe, who remained in control until the arrival of European settlers.

Following the purchase of land at Putaringamotu (modern Riccarton) by the Weller brothers whalers of Otago and Sydney a party of European settlers led by Herriott and McGillivray established themselves in what is now the Christchurch area, early in 1840. Their abandoned holdings were taken over by the Deans brothers in 1843 who stayed. The First Four Ships were chartered by the Canterbury Association and arrived on 16 December 1850, bringing the first 792 of the Canterbury Pilgrims to Lyttelton, New Zealand. These sailing vessels were the Randolph (ship), Charlotte-Jane, Sir George Seymour (ship), and Cressy (ship). The Canterbury Pilgrims had aspirations of building a city around a cathedral and college, on the model of Christ Church, Oxford in Oxford. Cathedral History (from the official Christ Church (cathedral), New Zealand website) The name "Christ Church" was decided prior to the ships' arrival, at the Association's first meeting, on 27 March 1848.

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 Lyttelton, New Zealand, to Christchurch via Sumner, New Zealand. However this proved more difficult than expected and road construction was stopped while a steep foot and packhorse 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, New Zealand, because the path was so steep that pack horses needed to be led by the bridle.Rescue, the Sumner community and its lifeboat service - Amodeo, Colin (editor), Christchurch: Sumner Lifeboat Institution Incorporated, 1998

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, the Ferrymead Railway, 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 31 July 1856, the first in New Zealand. Many of the city's Gothic architecture buildings by architect Benjamin Mountfort date from this period.

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

In 1947, New Zealand's worst fire disaster occurred at Ballantyne's Department Store in the inner city, with 41 people killed in a blaze which razed the rambling collection of buildings.

The Lyttelton Road Tunnel between Lyttelton and Christchurch was opened in 1964.

Christchurch was also host to the 1974 British Commonwealth Games.

Gateway to the Antarctic Christchurch has a history of involvement in History of Antarctica -- both Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton used the port of Lyttelton as a 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 Italian and United States Antarctic programs as well as the New Zealand Antarctic programme. The International Antarctic Centre provides both base facilities and a museum and visitor centre.

Famous people

Visitor attractions

Entertainment Parks & Nature The large number of public parks and well-developed residential gardens with many trees has given Christchurch the name of The Garden City. Christchurch, the Garden City (from the Christchurch City Council website) Hagley Park and the 30-hectare (75-acre) Christchurch Botanic Gardens, founded in 1863, are in the central city, with Hagley Park being a site for sports such as golf, cricket, netball, and rugby football, and for open air concerts by local bands and orchestras.

Cinema & Theatre While historically most cinemas were grouped around Cathedral Square, Regent Theatre 1930-1976 (from the Canterbury Film Society website) only the Regent complex remains there, which was rebuilt as 'Regent on Worcester' in 1996. Only one of the first generation of suburban cinemas, the Hollywood in Sumner, remains open. The largest multiplexes are the Hoyts in the old Railway Station on Moorhouse Avenue and Reading Cinemas (also eight screens) in the Palms shopping centre in Shirley. The recently (2006) opened Hoyts in Riccarton had the largest screen in New Zealand - although this has recently (2007) been surpassed by Auckland, which now has the largest movie theatre screen in the world, incorporated into the new Sylvia Park shopping complex.

The Christchurch Arts Centre includes two art house cinemas, Cloisters and The Academy, screening a wide selection of contemporary, classic and foreign language films. These cinemas participate in an annual film festival, along with Rialto Cinemas on Moorhouse Avenue.

There is an active film society in the city, Canterbury Film Society (from the official Canterbury Film Society website) and several cinemas operate in Christchurch. Local Cinemas (from the official Canterbury Film Society website)

Christchurch has one full-time professional theatre, the Court Theatre (NZ), Court Theatre (from the official Court Theatre website) which is based in the Christchurch Arts Centre. There is also an active recreational theatre scene.

Music The city is known for its many live acts. and also has a professional symphony orchestra. Christchurch Symphony (from the official Christchurch Symphony Orchestra website)

There are usually buskers around the town square, and Christchurch also hosts the World Buskers Festival in January each year.

Venues The Westpac Arena is New Zealand's second largest permanent multipurpose arena, seating between 5000 and 8000, depending on configuration. It is home of the Canterbury Rams basketball team, and Canterbury Flames netball side. It was the venue for the 1999 World Netball championships and has been host to many concerts in recent years.

The Christchurch Town Hall (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. It has an excellent modern pipe organ.

Christchurch also has a Casino, Christchurch Casino (official Christchurch Casino website) and there are also a wide range of live music venues - some short-lived, others with decades of history.

Sport Sports







Venues









Sister cities Christchurch has seven town twinning around the world. They are: Sister Cities of Christchurch (from the Christchurch City Council website)



References

External links Official Organisations:

Culture & Information:

Tourism & Maps:





Christchurch Borough Council
Information for residents and tourists about the council, community, local shops and businesses.

Christchurch
Guide to Christchurch including weather, map, business directory and community forum.

Christchurch Dorset
Local directory and guide. Includes information on the area, attractions, events, and businesses.

Christchurch
Welcome to Christchurch Christchurch is uniquely situated on the shores of its own harbour, close to the magnificent Dorset World Heritage Coast and the tranquil

Welcome to ChristChurch London :: Newfrontiers Church Central London ...
A member of the Evangelical Alliance.Lots of information on the church, a student section and a resource area.

ChristchurchNet.org /
The homepage of Christchurch a church in Newport, South Wales, UK. Christchurch is a non-denominational church that is amazed by grace, and passionate about the glorious gospel.

Christchurch Infant School
A community school for children aged 4 to 7. Details of staff, curriculum and events.

CHOG Homepage
CHOG watch and record the birds of Christchurch Harbour, which is situated on the south coast of England and includes the well known ...

Christchurch Junior School
For 7 to 11 year olds. Includes prospectus, information on extra activities and Ofsted report.

Welcome to Christchurch Priory
Information and history featuring details of its layout and events.

 

Christchurch



 
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