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Christchurch history - Christchurch City Libraries

Books to read if you want in introduction to the history of Christchurch. A Christchurch City Libraries list.

Christchurch City Libraries Ngā Kete Wānanga o Ōtautahi

17 items

  • This great little resource is a timeline of historical events. There are fun snippets throughout the book that helps to enliven the history. I quite like this one at the beginning of 1866 'The city has 56 hotels to cater for the thirsty…
    BookChristchurch, N.Z. : Planning Policy Unit, Christchurch City Council, c1990. — 993.83 DEN
  • Te Pou Herenga Waka O Rehua

    the Story of Rehua Hostel and Marae : the First 50 Years

    White, Claire Kaahu, 1965-
    Rehua Marae, a multi-tribal and multi-cultural marae in St Albans opened in the 1950s and has been a significant part of Christchurch social history since then. It originally began as a hotel for young Māori apprentices, often from the…
    BookSt Albans, Christchurch, New Zealand : Te Whatumanawa Māoritanga o Rehua Trust Board, 2021. — 993.83 WHI
  • Christchurch, Swamp to City

    a Short History of the Christchurch Drainage Board 1875-1989

    Wilson, John, 1943 April 12-
    As the title indicates, the swampy site chosen for Christchurch meant a wealth of watery issues awaited the young town. The Christchurch Drainage Board was set up to address concerns about poor drainage and the book celebrates the…
    BookLincoln, N.Z. : Te Waihora Press for the Christchurch Drainage Board, 1989. — 363.61 WIL
  • The Architectural Heritage of Christchurch. 10

    Pavilions, Temples & Four Square Walls : Christchurch Pump Houses and Substations

    Hartrick, Elizabeth
    Although a bit niche, this little booklet is packed with great information about the humble substations and pumphouses that sit within our suburban landscape. With a photograph and description of each building, a short bio on the…
    BookChristchurch, N.Z. : Christchurch City Council, 2003. — 720.993 HAR
  • This handy little pamphlet tells you where to look and what to look for regarding records about your property. It mainly focuses on Christchurch City Libraries, Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), Archives New Zealand, Christchurch City…
    eBook[Christchurch, N.Z.] : Canterbury Museum, c2004. — 728.099383 SMI
  • Southern Capital, Christchurch

    Towards a City Biography, 1850-2000

    Published to commemorate 150 years of Christchurch this series of essays covers a wide range of topics. Well researched and well written, the essays highlight the depth of knowledge and understanding each contributor brings to their topic.…
    BookChristchurch, N.Z. : Canterbury University Press, 2000. — 993.83 SOU
  • Celebrating the sesquicentennial of Christchurch (150 years) this book follows several themes; key individuals in the history of Christchurch, how the city grew, and what Christchurch was like to live in through the decades. The generous…
    BookChristchurch, N.Z. : Canterbury University Press, 2008. — 993.83 RIC
  • Published in 1949 to mark Christchurch’s Centennial Celebrations this book provides a vivid description of Christchurch especially in the colonial era. Well written and engaging it provides a glimpse into what life was like during this…
    BookChristchurch : Capper Press, 1975. — 993.83 AND
  • Gwenda Turner's Christchurch

    An Enchanted Journey Through the Garden City

    Turner, Gwenda, 1947-2001
    An absolute gem of a book for Christchurch local history buffs. It’s a compact little book that takes the reader on a tour of Christchurch’s landmarks and buildings (some lost due to the Christchurch earthquakes) and gives interesting…
    BookAuckland, N.Z. : Penguin Books, 2011. — 993.83 TUR
  • Heart of the City

    the Story of Christchurch's Controversial Cathedral

    Bohan, Edmund, 1935-2024
    Even before the first Canterbury Association immigrants arrived in Lyttelton, the plan was alway to build a cathedral in the centre of the city. This book looks at the whole story of this iconic building, not just the Anglican history and…
    BookChristchurch, New Zealand : Quentin Wilson Publishing, 2022. — 726.65 BOH
  • Remembering Godley

    a Portrait of Canterbury's Founder

    John Robert Godley’s importance in the history of the Canterbury province is beyond dispute. His Statue at the heart of the Cathedral Square bears the inscription “Founder of Canterbury” but how much do you know about him? In this readable…
    BookChristchurch, N.Z. : Hazard Press, 2001. — 993.8 GOD
  • Superb collection of photographs showcasing Canterbury’s history with brief informative captions. Provides interesting insights into how people lived and worked in years gone by.
    Book[Auckland, N.Z.] : Whitcoulls, 2002. — 993.8 WIL
  • The Summer Ships

    Being An Account of the First Six Ships Sent Out From England by the Canterbury Association in 1850-1851

    Amodeo, Colin, 1942-2022
    The first wave of migration from the United Kingdom to Canterbury New Zealand occurred in 1850-1851. This book is a fascinating, well researched account that focuses on this pivotal period and captures the essence of what life was like for…
    BookChristchurch, N.Z. : Caxton Press, 2001. — 993.8 AMO
  • The story of Thomas Edmonds touches on a great deal of the history of Christchurch. This highly illustrated book begins with the Edmonds family's journey from London to Christchurch in 1879 and what the city was like when they arrived.…
    BookChristchurch, New Zealand : Canterbury University Press, 2023. — 338.19 ALS
  • Addington is one of Christchurch’s oldest suburbs and has a rich heritage and unique identity. The book paints a vivid picture of the history of the area and the people who lived there. Much space is devoted to many of institutions and…
    BookAddington, Christchurch : The Addington Neighbourhood Association, 2018. — 993.83 WIL
  • Victoria Square is a tranquil and beautiful space in the heart of Christchurch City. However many people are probably unaware of its colourful and fascinating history. This book provides an entertaining and informative account of Victoria…
    BookChristchurch, New Zealand : Canterbury University Press, 2014. — 993.83 RIC
  • Coward

    Christchurch's Controversial Coroner : the Life of John William Smith Coward (1815-88)

    Rice, Geoffrey, 1946-
    Doctor John Coward served as the Christchurch Coroner from 1861 to 1886. Author Geoffrey Rice describes the life and the work of Doctor Coward and in his telling he provides many interesting insights about life in colonial era Christchurch.
    BookChristchurch, New Zealand : Hawthorne Press : with the Cotter Medical History Trust, 2023. — 347.016 COW