Free WiFi at Christchurch City Libraries
Christchurch City Libraries offer free public wireless access at some libraries. To access the service, you need a wireless-enabled laptop, tablet, PDA or phone (WiFi, 802.11b/g or WLAN). If you use a WLAN in your office or home, your existing hardware will enable you to access the service. Most new laptops and mobile devices are now manufactured with internal WiFi facilities.
See:
- WiFi Frequently Asked Questions
- Christchurch City Libraries’ Public WiFi Terms of Service and Acceptable Use Policy.
Telecom WiFi
Following the February 2011 earthquake, Telecom NZ are making free WiFi available at all Christchurch City Libraries as part of their Christchurch WiFi initiative. Use of their service is subject to separate terms that are made available to you as you connect to the service.
Free Telecom WiFi is currently available at the following libraries.
- Akaroa
- Central South City
- Halswell
- Hornby
- Little River
- Lyttelton
- New Brighton
- Papanui
- Parklands
- Redwood
- Shirley
- South
- Spreydon
Christchurch City Libraries’ WiFi
| Central Library Peterborough | Service available during Central Library Peterborough library opening hours, there are no speed restrictions, but during periods of high demand, customers may experience speeds less than the 1MB/s maximum. |
| Mini Linwood | Service available during library opening hours, maximum speed restriction of 1MB/s. During periods of high demand, customers may experience speeds less than the 1MB/s maximum. |
| New Brighton | Service available during library opening hours, maximum speed restriction of 1MB/s. During periods of high demand, customers may experience speeds less than the 1MB/s maximum. |
| South | Service available during library opening hours, maximum speed restriction of 1MB/s. During periods of high demand, customers may experience speeds less than the 1MB/s maximum. |
| Upper Riccarton | Service available during library opening hours, maximum speed restriction of 1Mb/s. During periods of high demand, customers may experience speeds less than the 1MB/s maximum. |
In using this service, you need to be aware that:
- You are responsible for the security of your computer
- Access to certain sites may be limited by our public internet filter
- The service only permits access to web-based email, not POP or SMTP email clients
- Any inappropriate use which contravenes the CCL Terms of Service and Acceptable Use Policy may result in you being excluded from further use
- You connect to the WiFi network at your own risk
How do you connect?
- Switch on your laptop
- Check the wireless network on your laptop is enabled
- Your laptop should detect the Christchurch City Libraries wireless network
- Open your web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc.)
- You should be automatically directed to our WiFi welcome page
- You need to accept our terms and conditions before you proceed with using this service
If your wireless connection is enabled but you have trouble connecting / viewing websites
- Check that no Proxy is set in the web browser (e.g. in Internet Explorer: Tools, Internet Options, Connections, LAN settings)
- Check that you do NOT have a fixed IP address i.e. DHCP enabled (network connections, properties)
- Refer to Troubleshooting Wireless Connection Issues at Christchurch City Libraries
Help policy
Christchurch City Libraries will only provide limited advice on how to connect to the WiFi service. Any configuration changes needing to be made to your equipment to enable you to use the service are your responsibility and are made at your own risk.




