Sets

Did you know that Christchurch was full of factories once upon a time? Producing all sorts of things like carpet, cars, lollies, ice cream, paint brushes, golf balls, and shoes.

It is not just children who dress up in costume in Christchurch. Theatrical performances, celebrations and event promotions are just some of the reasons adults have also donned fancy dress. Explore a selection of these costumes from our collection.

Farming has played a crucial role in the development of the Canterbury region and the city of Christchurch. From agriculture to dairy, from rural to market gardens, explore a selection of photographs from our collection that depict the farming industry.

From the runway to the shop window, Christchurch has produced many fashion designers and models. Explore a selection of photographs from our collection that depict the contributions the city has made to the fashion industry.

The history of human settlement on the Canterbury plains has often been marked by numerous floods. Even with modern utilities areas of Christchurch city can still experience flooding. Explore a selection of photographs that depict the ways in which people have tried to make the best of such situations.

As the garden city, it is fitting that Christchurch has hosted numerous flower festivals over the decades. Explore a selection of photographs that show the creative ways in which people have put flowers to use.

Balloons, helicopters, gliders, planes and sails are just some of the ways the people of Christchurch and Canterbury take to the sky.

From the central city to quiet suburban parks, fountains can be found throughout Christchurch. Some, such as the Peacock Fountain, have heritage significance, while others are known for their unique, modern designs. Explore a selection of these fountains, some of which have disappeared from the city's streetscape.

Christchurch has operated as a gateway to Antarctica for many years.

The oldest golf club in Christchurch is the Hagley Golf Club, established in 1873. Since then, various clubs have opened throughout the wider city and Canterbury. Many of the golf balls used throughout New Zealand in the 1970s and 1980s may have been produced at a factory in Woolston.

Even in an age when a postcard might take months to get to its destination, Christchurch was worthy of writing home about. Many of the historic postcards found in our collection capture a cityscape that has long since vanished.

A hāngi is a traditional Māori method of cooking food underground using hot stones. Explore a selection of photographs from our collection that showcase the preparation of kai in our local communities.

Originally a source of mahinga kai for Waitaha, Ngāti Māmoe and Ngāi Tahu, the Ōpāwaho-Heathcote River is one of two significant rivers in the city of Christchurch. Explore a selection of photographs that depict the river throughout the decades.

Celebrating the life of Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022) through her various visits to Christchurch.

Highlights from the Samuel Anstey collection of glass plate negatives. Anstey was an early Antigua Boat Sheds owner who took many photos creating a remarkable record of the early 1900's.

From the farm to the racecourse, horses still feature in the daily lives of many Cantabrians, long after they were replaced by automobiles as the city's main form of transport. Explore a selection of photographs from our collection that depict the affinity between humans and horses.

A variety of hospitals, some no longer extant, have served the city of Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region. Today, the most prominent include Christchurch Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital, Burwood Hospital and St George's Hospital.

Hotels originally catered to people travelling to Christchurch or passing through the smaller settlements in wider Canterbury. With the decline of rail and coach travel, many prominent hotels either closed or reinvented themselves as local pubs and backpacker accommodation.

Explore Christchurch through 1960s vibrant colour.

International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on the 8th of March each year. The day celebrates the achievements of women along with rallying for women's equality and equity.

The theme for 2023 is 'Embrace Equity'.

Celebrating trains and the Christchurch Railway Station.

Kapa Haka is a term for the modern day performance of traditional and contemporary adaptations of Māori waiata, mōteatea, poi and haka. Explore a selection of photographs from our collection showcasing performances held in Ōtautahi-Christchurch.

Lancaster Park was named after Benjamin Lancaster, the first owner of the land. It was renamed Jade Stadium in 1998, and in 2007 became the AMI Stadium at Lancaster Park. It was damaged as a result of the 22 February 2011 earthquake and the decision to deconstruct the stadium and buildings was made in March 2017. Deconstruction work began in 2018, and finished on Tuesday 15 October 2019. Lancaster Park has been made safe, grassed, and is due to open again for public recreational use in 2022.

Explore a selection of photographs from across the decades in our collection and relive your Christchurch school days, from hand bells to sitting on the mat. Do you recognise any classmates in the photographs?