Christchurch - New Zealand’s most English city

Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island and the principal gateway to its scenic wonders.

New Zealand's oldest city is set in the middle of premier landscape, between the volcanic grandeur of Banks Peninsula to the east, and the vast, fertile Canterbury Plains to the west.

Named after the cathedral college of Christ Church at Oxford University, Christchurch is New Zealand's most English city and the most English of cities outside England. It reflects its English origins with pretty parks and landscaped river bank, many Gothic Revival and Edwardian buildings.

Laid out as the capital of the Canterbury Settlement in 1850, the city still has many notable buildings and monuments that recall its colonial heritage.

Christchurch is renowned in New Zealand for its English-style public gardens. The Botanic Gardens, founded in 1863, contribute to Christchurch's reputation as New Zealand's garden city. The city's museum, civic art gallery, Ballet Company, professional theatre and Arts Centre are located here.

The Avon River is Christchurch's greatest natural asset and one of its main attractions. The great way to enjoy the river is to take a panoramic boat trip from various landings along the river.

Christchurch is a pleasant, compact city, easy to explore on foot and has a vibrant culture with its art galleries, arts festivals, shops, restaurants and cafes.

On February 22, 2011, Christchurch—a city of over 300,000—was devastated by an earthquake that killed 185 people, destroyed or severely damaged many heritage and modern buildings.An estimated 16,000 homes were lost during earthquakes of 2010 and 2011.

A rebuilding programme is now underway to repair this damage and debate still rages as to whether Christchurch should ape its old character or develop a new one.

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