Christchurch: City of Light
This collection of stories covers the history of electricity in the Christchurch area, from the formation of the council’s Municipal Electricity Department through to the amalgamation of the district power schemes which resulted in Southpower and culminated with the formation of Orion New Zealand Limited.
In 2010, Christchurch City Libraries was gifted archival material from Orion and we have used that material to bring this story to life.
Electricity Department building on Armagh Street
The Armagh Street facade of the Electricity Department building. Also visible is the corner with Manchester Street.
Electric lighting on MED building
Electric lighting on the Armagh Street facade of the Electricity Department building.
Fleet of electric vehicles on Bealey Avenue
The fleet of electric vehicles garaged by the Municipal Electricity Department gathered on Bealey Avenue near the intersection with Carlton Mill Road and Park Terrace.
A house by architect Cecil Wood...
Municipal Electricity Department staff 1939
The staff of the Municipal Electricity Department for the year 1939. Standing, centre in the second row, are the Electrical Engineer, John Cossar Forsyth, Assistant Engineer, George Herbert Battersby...
Municipal Electricity Department showroom and offices
Framed photograph of the Electricity Department showroom and offices on the corner of Manchester Street and Armagh Street. The electrical power plant and destructor buildings are situated to the left...
Consumers' electrical guide and cookery book
"Issued to consumers by the Municipal Electricity Department, Christchurch, New Zealand."
A small cook book advertising the benefits of cooking with electric appliances including recipes.
Municipal Electricity Department Carpark building site
View of a site behind the Municipal Electricity Department building being prepared for a carpark building on the corner of Manchester Street and Gloucester Street.
Municipal Electricity Department building clock
Close-up view of the Municipal Electricity Department building clock on the corner of Manchester Street and Armagh Street.
Aerial view of the Municipal Electricity Department
Aerial view of the central block of Municipal Electricity Department buildings on the corner of Manchester Street and Armagh Street. Includes the Christchurch Municipal Baths on Manchester Street, the...
Municipal Electricity Department street lighting tower waggon
View of the Municipal Electricity Department street lighting tower waggon on Oxford Terrace, looking towards Gloucester Street with the Midland Club to the right.
Municipal Electricity Department (MED) control room
Control room at the Municipal Electricity Department (MED) building.
The Municipal Electricity Department building
The Municipal Electricity Department building on the corner of Manchester Street and Armagh Street.
This exhibition has been created with the support of Orion.
