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A timeline of Christchurch events in chronological order from pre-European times to 1989.

Go to a year between 1700 & 1989

Begin at the beginning Start here

This week in history

February 8, 1857
St Andrews Presbyterian Church opens.
February 8, 1864
George Parr’s “All England” cricket team defeats a Canterbury side.
February 8, 1870
Opening of Christchurch’s first art exhibition.
February 9, 1898
"Black Wednesday" - Canterbury skies darkened by smoke from Australian bush fires.
February 9, 1917
Scott statue, sculpted by his widow, unveiled opposite the (then) Municipal Offices in Oxford Terrace.
February 10, 1863
First sitting of the Court of Appeal.
February 10, 1864
First Council artesian well drilled at the corner of Tuam and High Streets. It gushed to a height of 3 or 4 metres above ground level.
February 10, 1913
News reaches Christchurch of the Scott expedition’s fate. The city’s special relationship with the expedition caused deep mourning over the tragedy.
February 11, 1843
Deans, Gebbie and Manson families sail from Wellington on the “Richmond” to settle at Riccarton.
February 11, 1851
Land Office opens in Christchurch on the site now occupied by the Chamber of Commerce building.
February 11, 1928
Opening of St Georges private hospital.
February 11, 1960
Mrs H.L. Garrett appointed New Zealand’s first jury forewoman.
February 12-14, 1958
Visit by Queen Mother.
February 12, 1905
Catholic Cathedral (the Basilica) opens. Designed by F.W. Petre, it is widely regarded as the finest Renaissance building in New Zealand.
February 13, 1951
Waterfront strike begins, with all New Zealand ports idle by February 19. As in previous strikes, Lyttelton avoided the worst of the violence and confrontations which occurred in other ports.
February 14, 1887
Telephone link to Dunedin opens.
February 14, 1929
Christchurch - Lyttelton railway line electrification completed.
February 14, 1987
Visit by Queen Margarethe of Denmark.

Notes

  • This resource includes images from our photographs collection - clicking on the image will take you to a larger version of that image.
  • This resource links to various other local history resources on our website.