CHRISTCHURCH
CENTRAL
HERITAGE
Explore landmarks like the Christchurch Cathedral, once devastated by earthquakes and restoration on hold, or visit the Ōtākaro Avon River Precinct, where past and present intertwine.
Christchurch’s central city is a vibrant blend of history and modern revival. From the iconic Canterbury Museum and the beautifully restored Arts Centre to the historic New Regent Street and remnants of Victorian and Edwardian architecture, the city’s heritage tells a story of resilience and transformation.
THE BRIDGE OF REMEMBRANCE
The Bridge of Remembrance is one of two main war memorials in Christchurch, New Zealand.
It is dedicated to those who died in World War I, and serves as a memorial for those who participated in two World Wars as well as subsequent conflicts in Borneo, Korea, Malaya, and Vietnam. Owned by Christchurch City Council, it is located on the Cashel Street Bridge at the head of City Mall.
THE ARTS CENTRE
The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora is a unique collection of Gothic Revival buildings that was originally part of the University of Canterbury.
After being damaged in the 2011 earthquakes, the complex underwent a major restoration, reopening as a vibrant cultural centre featuring artisan shops, galleries, studios, and cafes.
VICTORIA SQUARE
Victoria Square, first known as Market Square or Market Place, was the centre of town life until the 1870s.
As a predominantly green space, Victoria Square offers a counterpoint to the largely hard surfaces of Cathedral Square. Victoria Square will continue to be a natural gathering point in the central city.
Its notable landmarks include the Captain James Cook statue, Queen Victoria statue, H. L. Bowker Fountain, and the Victoria Square Poupou.
EDMONDS BAND ROTUNDA
A gift to the people of Christchurch from Thomas Edmonds – the man behind the Edmonds Cookery Book – this classical-style rotunda was built in 1929.
To celebrate fifty years of business in Christchurch, Thomas J. Edmonds, founder of Edmonds' Baking Powder, financed the construction of this band rotunda in 1929 along with several other structures. The site, overlooking the Ōtākaro-Avon River, was selected as part of Edmonds' Riverbank Improvement Scheme.
CHRISTCHURCH CATHEDRAL
Reinstating the Iconic Christ Church Cathedral
The Christ Church Cathedral was severely damaged in the devastating Canterbury earthquakes that struck the city and region in September 2010 and February 2011.
We are reinstating it to once again take central place in Cathedral Square.
NEW REGENT STREET
New Regent Street is a pedestrian mall in Christchurch. Built as a private development in the early 1930s with 40 shops in Spanish Mission architectural style, it is one of the city's major tourist attractions.
Due to its coherent architectural character, the buildings in the streets are listed as Category I heritage items by Heritage New Zealand, and in addition, the entire street has a historic area listing
OLD GOVERNMENT BUILDING
The Old Government Building is a heritage building in Christchurch, New Zealand. It was designed by Joseph Maddison in 1909 for use by government departments. It is a Category I heritage building listed with Heritage New Zealand.
The building was designed to centralise various government departments in Christchurch that had previously been housed in the Canterbury Provincial Council Buildings and other rented spaces throughout the city.
CHRISTCHURCH TRAMWAY
The Christchurch tramway system is a small network serving the inner city of Christchurch. Historically, it was an extensive system, with steam and horse trams operating from 1882. Electric trams began running in 1905 and continued until 1954, when the last line from Cashmere to Papanui was replaced by buses.
In 1995, a 2.5-kilometre (1.6 mi) central city heritage tram loop was reopened as a tourist attraction. This has since been extended by a 1.4-kilometre (0.87 mi) loop down to High Street, which opened in February 2015.