 Canterbury’s charming provincial capital, Christchurch, is the largest city on New Zealand’s South Island. As it sits on the Canterbury plains, Christchurch is nestled between the snow-capped Southern Alps and the dormant remains of a twin system of volcanoes that once pushed this land upward from the sea floor.
Known as New Zealand’s Garden City, Christchurch is the gateway to this scenic environment. The city itself has drawn a great deal of charm and heritage from its English roots, and its streets are characterised by parks, gardens and otherwise spontaneous green spaces.
 Christchurch Cathedral is the city’s defining architectural asset. Rising above the cityscape, the cathedral’s tower offers splendid panoramic views of the Canterbury plains, Southern Alps and the city itself. The Avon River, lined with sturdy oak trees and weeping willows, is another primary landmark for Christchurch. Slinking through the city centre, it is host to scattered fleets of vacationers enjoying lazy boat rides between its grassy banks.
Despite its relaxed atmosphere and overall quaintness, Christchurch has gone to great lengths to strengthen its infrastructure and increase its tourist appeal. A number of sophisticated restaurants entertain visitors and the city’s avid nightlife is fuelled by local university students. The city streets cater for cyclists, while the surrounding beaches are perfect for leisurely walks.
 Entertainment outlets in the city are varied and plentiful. The Christchurch Casino provides shuttle buses to and from prominent hotels, and there’s always an exciting game staged in this 24-hour establishment. For a more natural escape, board a gondola to the summit of the Port Hills (an extinct volcano) where you can enjoy views of the surrounding countryside.
Accommodation throughout Christchurch is varied and well-established. There are plenty of mainstream hotels along Riccarton and Papanui roads, where you’ll find some of New Zealand’s best accommodation. During peak tourist season, these places often get booked up, so it pays to reserve a room in advance.
The charming city of Christchurch is the result of much planning and locals often joke that the city is more English than England itself. This 19th century settlement was planned to accommodate secular and religious interests alike, and the numerous attractions often prompt vacationers to extend their holiday longer than initially intended.
History
New Zealand is one of the world’s most recently colonised land masses. Before the 9th century, it is unlikely that any human inhabitants lived here. Polynesian sailors arrived in waves between the 9th and 14th centuries, bringing the building blocks that would eventually evolve into the Maori tribe.
Archaeological evidence found in Canterbury and the Christchurch region—specifically Redcliffs—indicates that Maori settlers were well-established by the mid-13th century. Maori oral traditions date a Christchurch settlement to the 11th century. The following few centuries saw tribal wars between the Waitaha, Ngati and Ngai Tahu tribes.
 Europeans in the form of Dutch explorers first arrived in 1642, though the aggressive Maori reception they received staved off any further exploration until Britain’s Captain James Cook arrived in the late 18th century. Trade relationships quickly emerged between Europeans and the Maori.
A hasty treaty was forged between the British Crown and certain Maori chieftains in 1840, and New Zealand’s status as a Crown colony was ostensibly solidified. However, a great deal of disagreement as to how these documents should be interpreted followed.
After the treaty’s ratification, European settlers travelled to the South Island and set themselves up in the Christchurch area. In 1850, a fleet of four ships landed with nearly 800 pilgrims at Lytellton Harbour. These settlers, known as the ‘Canterbury Pilgrims’, wished to build a city around a central university and cathedral.
They took their model and name from Christ Church in Oxford, England. In fact, the town was officially named in 1848 before its settlers had even landed and well before building began. A royal charter granting Christchurch official city status was granted shortly after in 1856 and the bulk of Christchurch’s oldest architecture was built at this time.
 Christchurch became a base for Antarctic exploration in the early 20th century. By 1910, Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Henry Shackleton had both staged Antarctic exploratory missions from the city. The worst fire in New Zealand’s history swept through Christchurch in 1947, and a great deal of the city’s original architecture and infrastructure was destroyed.
Today, Christchurch is popular with tourists as a gateway to New Zealand’s South Island. Unique wildlife, colonial heritage and striking Maori culture beckon visitors to learn more during their stay, and the quaint, inviting atmosphere makes this a destination that visitors remember fondly.
Weather
As it sits in the southern hemisphere, New Zealand’s climate is opposite to that of most Western nations. Christchurch’s hottest season lasts from December to February, when average temperatures reach 22°C.
The coldest months are between June and August, when highs average at 11°C and lows dip to just above freezing. During this cool season, atmospheric conditions are such that pollution collects to form a layer of smog over Christchurch. While smog levels aren’t alarming, those with asthma or difficulty breathing may be irritated during the winter months.
Overall, Christchurch enjoys a very temperate climate. Rainfall is fairly consistent year-round with slightly higher levels during the summer months. July is typically the wettest month. December marks the beginning of the tourist season and the onset of summer, and competition for bookings and tickets can be fairly stiff as New Zealanders and international visitors alike travel during the Christmas season.
The best conditions for international tourists begin in January, when New Zealanders go back to work, temperatures are at their warmest and rainfall reaches its annual low creating optimal sightseeing conditions. Things begin to slow down in May, when night-time temperatures approach 4°C and rainfall begins to pick up again.
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