Christchurch Chronology 1982 - Heritage - Christchurch City Libraries

1982

February 2: New central Public Library (designed by Warren and Mahoney) opens in Gloucester Street.
Dame Ngaio Marsh directs Hamlet - 1958 February 18: Internationally famous writer Dame Ngaio Marsh dies at her home in Cashmere.
March 15: City Council resolution declares Christchurch City a nuclear weapons free zone.
April 6: Premiere of "Roadshow" road safety stage show. The show was later taken on a national tour for 6 months from February 1983. It played to a total audience of over 250,000, probably the biggest of any New Zealand musical show.
April 11: Waimairi becomes a District Council.
June 11: Hamish Hay, Mayor of Christchurch since 1974, knighted in Queen’s Birthday honours.
July 19: City Council approves further extension of airport runway by 845 metres.
August 7: Opening of City Mall, a major new pedestrian amenity created by the closure of parts of Cashel and High Streets. The project had first been mooted in 1967.
September 30: Closure of gas works.
October 5: Paraplegic archer Neroli Fairhall (in competition with able-bodied athletes) wins gold medal at Brisbane Commonwealth Games.
October 26: Old library re-opens as Library Chambers (architect Don Donnithorne).
December 18: "Tolaga Bay" (53,784 tonnes) becomes the largest ship ever to dock at Lyttelton.