Sets

Following the devastation of the Canterbury earthquakes, we were left with a city of broken buildings and empty spaces. Artists, both local and international, came to Christchurch to turn these disheartening sights into vibrant murals. But street art in Christchurch isn't confined to the post-earthquake recovery period. Explore a selection of photographs from our collection depicting art that has been found throughout the city over the decades.

With two universities and a polytechnic, Canterbury has always drawn students from around the country and across the world. Explore a selection of photographs that showcase the various elements of student life from enrollment to graduation ceremonies.

Barbecues, outdoor concerts, and days at the beach, these are just some of the activities you will find this selection of summertime photographs from our collection.

Some highlights from our collection showing summertime activities around Canterbury.

For many people in Christchurch, the seaside suburb of Sumner offers memories of summer days spent on the beach, climbing Cave Rock, and ice creams. For those who have made it their home, it is a retreat from the bustle of the city. Explore a selection of photographs from our collection that depict life in Sumner.

When the supermarket first opened in Christchurch in 1963 it was a novel concept. Now, they can be found in every suburb throughout the city. Explore a selection of photographs from our collection that depict staff, customers, and managers of supermarket stores, both past and present.

Although the beaches of Christchurch are a source of leisurely activity, a swim in the ocean can also turn deadly for those caught unawares. To prevent drownings, the New Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club, the first in New Zealand, was founded on 14 July 1910. Explore a selection of photographs from our collection that depict members of this club and the others in Christchurch that were subsequently founded to protect beach users.

Te Reo Māori is one of the official languages of New Zealand. Explore a selection of photographs from our collection that depict the study and use of our national taonga.

Do you remember the teddy bears' picnic in Hagley Park? Go on a bear hunt through our collection! How many Santa Bears do you recognise?

Carved by Chief Lelooska, the Totem Pole of Friendship was gifted to Christchurch in 1959 by the Oregon Centennial Commission and the Portland Zoological Society in appreciation of the hospitality given to personnel of Operation Deep Freeze. The totem pole originally stood at Little Hagley Park before being relocated to Christchurch International Airport in 1980.

The first railway to open in New Zealand was the line between Christchurch and Ferrymead when the locomotive, Pilgrim, made its initial journey in December 1863. From 1877 to 1990, the railway workshops in Addington were a source of industry and employment for the city. Take a journey through a selection of photographs from the age of steam to electrification.

With the establishment of the Canterbury Tramway Company Limited, from 1880 trams became a means of connecting the city with the outer suburbs. The Christchurch tramway system was discontinued in 1954, but today a tramway circuit, featuring restored trams, allows visitors to tour the centre of the city. Take your own tour through a selection of photographs from our collection.

Victoria Square, originally known as Market Square, was established on land which was once part of the Waitaha pā of Puari. Although it was superseded by the development of Cathedral Square, the square has remained a focal point of the central city. Explore a selection of photographs from our collection that showcase the changes Victoria Square has undergone over the decades.

With its head in the Southern Alps, the Waimakariri River meanders down from the mountains and across the plains north of Christchurch before meeting the Pacific Ocean. The river is a popular location for fishing and boating. Take a journey down the river through a selection of photographs from our collection.

Waitangi Day commemorates the signing on 6 February 1840 of the Treaty of Waitangi. Waitangi Day became a nationwide public holiday in 1974. Commemorations are often held at Okains Bay and Ōnuku Marae in Banks Peninsula.

The rivers, beaches, harbours, and swimming pools of Canterbury allow for a variety of water sports. From swimming to yachting, explore a selection of photographs from our collection that showcase the many ways in which we take to the water.

Winter in Canterbury, on a good day, offers clear, crisp mornings and views of the Southern Alps. At its worst, it can bring heavy snow and freezing temperatures. Wrap up warm and explore a selection of photographs from our collection that depict this time of the year.

Explore this selection of photographs from our collection that depict the various ways we convey information through the written word.