Christchurch: A Chronology to 1989

A timeline of some Christchurch events in chronological order from 1700s to 1989.

Go to a year between 1700 & 1989

December 28, 1912: First New Zealand croquet championships held in City.
December 30, 1978: Canterbury Orchestra disbanded. The demise of this professional orchestra ended 6 years of acrimonious dispute which profoundly disrupted the musical scene in Christchurch.
December 30, 1988: Water restrictions in force for first time in City's history as water tables dropped to record low levels.
December 31, 1984: "Kiwi House" opened at Orana Park (first chick born in captivity in South Island, November 1989).
January 1-3, 1912: Davis Cup final (Australasia v USA) held at Lancaster Park.
January 1, 1862: New Zealand’s first rowing regatta held on Lyttelton Harbour.
January 1, 1867: Roller skating rink opens. Proprietor Richard Kohler had previously operated Kohler’s Pleasure Grounds.
January 1, 1908: Shackleton expedition sails for Antarctica in "Nimrod". A crowd estimated as high as 50,000 watched the departure - probably the largest in Lyttelton’s history.
January 1, 1913: Riccarton Borough formed.
January 1, 1932: Radio Broadcasting Company of N.Z. (owner of the YA stations) taken over by Government to form the nucleus of a State broadcasting system.
January 2, 1896: Australasian Amateur Athletic and Cycling Championships held at Lancaster Park.
January 3, 1883: Graving dock in Lyttelton Harbour officially opens.