The earthquake also caused damage to many older unreinforced brick buildings. Some, like the CTV and PGC buildings, collapsed entirely. Those trapped inside were able to call loved ones and emergency services on their mobile phones.
The table below shows the average price of houses in Christchurch each month and compares it to other local areas. It also looks at other data like crime rates which can impact property values.
Garden City of the Plains
The largest city in New Zealand’s South Island is surrounded by a natural wonderland of mountain ranges, braided rivers and wide plains. Its cultural scene is a marriage of settled charm and fresh innovation.
The city’s urban planning echoes Englishman Ebenezer Howard’s ideas about self-sustaining cities of parks and gardens. In the 1850s he designed Hagley Park, an inspiration for Central Park in Manhattan. Located in Christchurch’s central city area, it is home to Christchurch Botanic Gardens and a native forest of kahikatea trees (over 600 years old).
Its thriving art galleries and museums show off the region’s rich heritage. And a revitalized downtown area now features unique bars and cafe venues that would be more at home in the big cities of Europe or North America.
A swarm of earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 redefined the city’s physical landscape, but it is quickly rebuilding itself into one of New Zealand’s most exciting destinations. Our included tour visits sites affected by the quakes and shows you a resilient, changing Christchurch.
From the Argyle on the Park motel, it is easy to take a stroll through the beautiful Hagley Park and Botanic Gardens. Or take a ride on the Christchurch Gondola and enjoy stunning views of Pegasus Bay, Banks Peninsula and the Canterbury Plains. The city is also a short drive to the airport and has several taxi companies that offer shuttle service to the terminals.
A World Heritage City
Christchurch is home to many historic buildings and sites that helped earn it the nickname “Garden City of the Plains.” Among its most notable heritage attractions are Christ Church Cathedral, Canterbury Museum, Yaldhurst Museum of Transport and Science, the botanical gardens, and numerous art galleries.
The city was founded in 1848 by the Canterbury Association, an English society headed by John Robert Godley, to serve as a model church settlement. It became New Zealand’s second most important industrial centre in the late 19th century, aided by its natural resources: abundant supply of artesian water and inexpensive hydroelectric power. Its industries include meat-freezing works, woolen and agricultural-implement production, the manufacture of carpets, rubber, wood and cork goods, transportation equipment, and textiles.
On September 4, 2010, the city was shaken by a magnitude-7 earthquake. Although it caused relatively few fatalities and serious injuries, the quake destroyed hundreds of buildings, damaged roads, railways, and other infrastructure. In February 2011, a magnitude-6.3 earthquake struck Christchurch again, this time with much more destruction. It took several weeks to restore basic services and the city’s most cherished historic sites.
The Cathedral of Christ Church
The Cathedral of Christ Church in Christchurch, New Zealand was a beloved symbol of the city’s rich English heritage until much of it collapsed during the devastating 2011 earthquake. The years of debate that followed over whether to rebuild or demolish the ruins came to symbolize the paralysis that has sometimes characterized the broader rebuilding of Christchurch.
The cathedral was designed by the British architect Sir George Gilbert Scott, who also designed London’s St Pancras Station, and it was built over a period of about 130 years. The building was the physical and symbolic heart of Christchurch, and the area around it was called Cathedral Square.
In the early years of the cathedral’s life it suffered from financial difficulties, and when money ran out some people argued that the Church should spend its funds on other priorities. However, Bishop Harper managed to secure funding, and construction was resumed in 1873, with Benjamin Mountfort, the architect of several of the city’s provincial council buildings, serving as supervising architect.
The cathedral was a focal point for civic and social events, including concerts, weddings and funerals. It was home to the Cathedral Choir, one of the only professional choirs in the Southern Hemisphere, and it played a key role in the annual Floral Festival. It was also a popular tourist attraction, and the ruins were visited by nearly two million visitors in the first ten years after the earthquake.
The Port of Lyttelton
The Port of Lyttelton is a busy cargo and passenger harbor that serves the Christchurch, New Zealand region. It is located at the mouth of the Banks Peninsula on Horomaka Banks Peninsula in Te Waipounamu South Island. The harbor is part of the city of Christchurch. It is a beautiful scenic harbor and the gateway to the Banks Peninsula and Canterbury.
The Port is a large, modern facility serving the economic needs of the region. It is also a major regional tourist attraction, and it is the most important commercial center in the Canterbury region.
It was badly damaged in the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes and many of its historic buildings were destroyed. The Port is currently working to rebuild the facilities, improve safety and security for its employees and visitors, and strengthen resilience in future natural events.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Port is a key economic anchor for Christchurch. It is a major shipping hub for trade between New Zealand and the world.
The Port of Lyttelton is the main seaport for the city of Christchurch. It is the largest commercial port in New Zealand’s southern region and is a crucial trade link for the country. It is a major hub for the Canterbury economy and provides employment for over 10,000 people. The Port is undergoing a major rebuild and has invested in the development of new port facilities, including a dedicated cruise terminal. property video Christchurch