Heritage

Christchurch: a chronology

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

April 22, 1869
Visit of the Duke of Edinburgh (New Zealand’s first royal visitor).
April 22, 1970
New Teachers College opens at Ilam. Secondary division only. The completed complex was opened on October 26, 1978.
April 23-24, 1966
Visit by Queen Mother.
April 23, 1895
Regular Lyttelton - Wellington Cook Strait ferry service inaugurated by "Penguin".
April 24, 1858
Contract let for fortnightly mail service between Christchurch and Timaru.
April 25, 1850
Canterbury Association settlers meet in London.
April 25, 1854
Coal from the Malvern Hills on sale in Christchurch at £5-10s a ton.
April 25, 1864
Canterbury Horticultural and Acclimatisation Society formed. This group introduced many animals, birds and fish to Canterbury, and helped to establish the Government Gardens, which eventually became the Botanic Gardens.
April 25, 1977
Bridge of Remembrance becomes a pedestrian precinct.
April 25, 1981
New $16 million postal centre in Hereford Street in operation. A determined fight by civic groups had failed to prevent its siting next to the old Public Library.
April 26, 1852
Christ’s College moves from Lyttelton to Christchurch.
April 27, 1872
Railway north open to Kaiapoi.
April 28-29, 1983
Visit of Prince and Princess of Wales.

Notes