When you think about the Avon River running through Christchurch, you might imagine punting boats and kayaks in Hagley Park. Such attractions in our garden city are far from new and, recently, a few of us here at Underground Overground … Continue reading →
Once upon a time, there was a baker (a pie-maker, even) who left his home in Germany and travelled the length of the world to a small country in the South Pacific. There, in a young city built on a … Continue reading →
Earlier this year, we excavated a site on Armagh Street that revealed not only a large quantity of artefacts, but also a historical and material narrative set in the swampy bowels of a fledgling city, a tale of politics, commerce, … Continue reading →
Recently, Peter Mitchell, one of our building archaeology specialists, recorded a 19th century residential dwelling just on the edge of Christchurch’s Central City. This dwelling was similar in form and function to others we have seen in Canterbury – it … Continue reading →
Created to generate support for and develop the idea of the Christchurch CBD being rebuilt as the world's first elevated garden city, with rooftop gardens and open spaces connected by walkways and cycle paths.
A monster cook who represents 'Mother Nature' stirs several pots as storms swirl outside the window. She has a list of recipes that read 'earthquake entree, tornado twisties, blizzard Bolognese, volcanic mudcake, flood fondue, cyclone souffle'; she says 'Mmmm what shall I cook up next?' Context - the bad weather and the Christchurch earthquake that have afflicted the South Island recently. Published in The Sunday Star Times Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
A PDF copy of pages 110-111 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'Here are the People and There is the Steeple'. Photo with permission: Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu. Photo: John Collie.
The private education sector in Christchurch is working on how to convince foreign students to keep coming to the city after last week's earthquake.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake damage in central Christchurch after a 6.3 earthquake. Cars on Smith City, Colombo Street car park".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Christchurch City Council pumping station on Hills Road has the wells checked by Grant Freeman from Clemence Drilling".
A PDF copy of pages 96-97 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'Samo Lyttelton Cafe'. Photo: Tessa Peach
A PDF copy of pages 358-359 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'Redcliffs Kidsfirst Kindergarten'. Photos: CMA+U
A PDF copy of pages 236-237 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'Volstead Trading Company'. Photos: Irene Boles
A PDF copy of pages 64-65 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'Life in Vacant Spaces HQ'. Photos: Tim Bishop and LiVS
According to the sign it can take about 30 minutes to walk from the entry point (near the small statue) to the centre and out again. What you can do with a few thousand old bricks and gravel. See next photo for more detail.
According to the sign it can take about 30 minutes to walk from the entry point (here) to the centre and out again. That is without stepping across the gaps between bricks. What you can do with a few thousand old bricks and gravel!
Shows a mobile phone with a text on it that reads 'Dear Chch (Christchurch) thinking of u (you) all xxx NZ'. Context: Refers to the commemoration events taking place in Christchurch on 22 February 2012 which is the first anniversary of the 2011 earthquake which killed 185 people. Mobile phones were instrumental in helping to locate victims and in enabling people to communicate with trapped victims. B&W and colour versions of this cartoon available Quantity: 2 digital cartoon(s).
With the recent innovation and development within Christchurch following the earthquakes there have been suggestions of developing an ethnic precinct or 'Chinatown' within the city. This article explores the possibility of this and its potential benefits.
"Prior to the devastating 2010-2011 Canterbury earthquakes, the city of Christchurch was already exhibiting signs of a housing affordability crisis. The causes and symptoms were similar to those being experienced in Auckland, but the substantial damage to the housing stock caused by the earthquakes added new dimensions and impetus to the problem. Large swathes of the most affordable housing stock in the east of the city were effectively destroyed by the earthquakes. In itself this would have pushed the mean house price upwards, but compounding problems exacerbated the situation. These include the price effects of reduced supply of both rented and owned housing and increased demand from both displaced residents and an influx of rebuild workers. The need for additional temporary housing while repairs were undertaken and the associated insurance pay-outs bidding up rents with improved rental returns leading to increased interest in property investment. Land supply constraints and consenting issues inhibiting the build of new housing and political infighting and uncertainty regarding the future of parts of the city leading to a flight of development activity to peripheral locations and adjoining local authorities. Concerns that the erosion of the city council rating base combined with inadequacy of insurance cover for infrastructure will lead to large rates increases, increased development costs and reduced amenities and services in future years. These and other issuers will be elaborated on in this paper with a view to exploring the way forward for affordable housing Christchurch City."
In 1861, the city of Christchurch would have been virtually unrecognisable to a 21st century resident. Buildings were scattered sparsely throughout what is now the central business district and dirt roads and low fences traversed a landscape that was more grassland … Continue reading →
A PDF copy of pages 52-53 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'The Gap Filler Summer Pallet Pavilion'. Render: Yun Kong Sung
A memorial service to remember those who lost their lives, and to reflect on the devastating impact of the February 22nd earthquake on our city and its people.
A memorial service to remember those who lost their lives, and to reflect on the devastating impact of the February 22nd earthquake on our city and its people.
Shows Minister for Earthquake Recovery, Gerry Brownlee, telling a Christchurch couple that NZ on Air is funding a six part television drama about the Christchurch earthquakes. Context: the series will be directed by Gaylene Preston. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
Shows a aerial representation of Christchurch's eastern suburbs with the course of the Avon River. The new river course spells the word 'munted'. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
The Christchurch City Council has faced tough questioning at the Royal Commission into the Canterbury earthquakes over its role in ensuring buildings are earthquake strengthened.
When the earthquake demolished Christchurch's central business district, some business owners had no option but to pack up and start again in a different city.
Late in 2014 we were contacted by contractors working on a rebuild project in Christchurch’s city centre. It was reported that a number of bottles had been uncovered during routine earthworks and the area cordoned off until our arrival. The bottles … Continue reading →
Today we’re going back to Christchurch’s hinterland, this time to Kura Tāwhiti/Castle Hill, a place that’s still an important and valued part of the city’s surrounds. But in the interests of full disclosure, I feel like I should let you … Continue reading →
As life-changing experiences go, the earthquake on 22 February 2011 was fairly significant. On the one hand, our house was red-zoned (but still liveable), friends lost their lives and the city lost many of the old buildings that, for me, … Continue reading →