Christchurch

Christchurch was established in the mid 19th century largely by English settlers who walked over the bridal path from the port of Lyttelton to where the city is located today. Its central layout is based on four avenues forming a square, the pattern being interrupted somewhat by the springfed Avon river which meanders through the city. It is the largest city in the South Island with 330,000, about the same size as Wellington, and is in the centre of a farming community which until recently produced prime lambs (Canterbury lamb a well known brand overseas) and wheat and barley. In the last two decades there has been great development of more intensive and therefore irrigated grasslands and the associated dairying industry.

Stop Press !! 22nd February 2011, Christchurch suffered a second earthquake which did considerable damage to houses and the CBD in particular. The number of hotels operating is reduced but there are still many Motels that were unaffected. You would be wise to ring ahead to make bookings. The airport and the road and rail connections are all working perfectly.

The photo on the right is a vertical shot of the land round Christchurch and Bank's Peninsula. The city extends to the Waimakariri river in the north onto the hills of the extinct volcano to the south. Further north are the satellite towns of Kaiapoi and Rangiora. The port of Lyttelton has formed in the old caldera which has been eroded on one side. It is the largest of the inlets on Banks peninsula. The other large inlet,facing south, has the French settled town of Akaroa at its head. To the southwest is the shallow Lake Ellesmere, a haven for bird life.
	Naturally, for a city founded by Englishmen, the centre of the city is likely to accommodate a Cathedral. Not only has it stood for fifteen decades now, it has also become the centre of transport routes and a rallying point for people  who want to advance a theory to any person who wants to listen. For some years it had a resident wizard who used to hold forth on a great variety of subjects and would have eloquent discourses with some of the listeners. The cathedral also serves as a rallying point in times of trouble and/or crisis.
	Near the city centre is the old University, now an arts and crafts centre. It has a tram that runs from it past the Art Gallery and the museum and past the cafes and restaurants close to the cathedral. Like many cities, it is a relic of times past when trams were the main form of transport.
Hagley Park is a large area of parkland and gardens thoughtfully set aside for future generations of Christchurchians by the early settlers. It accommodates most sporting codes, including a public golf course and a large area of botanic gardens. A flower show in March, called the Ellerslie Show, is centred on this area and many thousands of locals and visitors attend over the four days.
	Meandering through the city is the small spring fed Avon river. It causes modification to the otherwise grid pattern of the city's roads, and only very occasionally floods. The typical English activity of punting takes place on stretches of the river close to the centre of the city and one can hire dinghies and row on the river.
The Art Gallery has opened on its new central site and regularly has exhibitions of well known and also up-and-coming artists. It is close to the Arts and Crafts centre which is housed in the former Canterbury Univeristy building on the local tram route. Both are well worth a visit.