Heritage

Christchurch: a chronology

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

Go to a year between 1700 & 1989

Begin at the beginning Start here

This week in history

February 27, 1964
Lyttelton road tunnel opens, New Zealand’s longest.
February 28, 1853
Provincial boundary defined by proclamation. Westland (then called West Canterbury) included as part of Canterbury.
February 28, 1967
Canterbury cricket team defeats visiting Australians, the first time any New Zealand team had done so.
February 28, 1981
Visit by Mme Simone Veil, President of European Parliament.
February 28, 1986
Visit by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
March 1, 1851
“Isabella Hercus” arrives with settlers.
March 1, 1865
Godley Head lighthouse in operation.
March 1, 1880
School for the Deaf (now Van Asch College) opens in Sumner. Director Gerrit van Asch introduced oral teaching methods to New Zealand.
March 1, 1922
Addington School Committee presents a special certificate to Cecil Hughes for 8 years attendance without missing a day (probably a New Zealand record).
March 1, 1930
Majestic Theatre opens - the city’s first steel frame building.
March 2, 1970
Amid mounting controversy, City Council begins construction of road deviation through Hagley Park. The work was stopped by March 7 for legal reasons, and the project was eventually scrapped.
March 2, 1974
Re-built Centennial Pool opens.
March 3-7, 1977
Visit by Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.
March 3, 1862
First meeting of the Christchurch Municipal Council, which became the Christchurch City Council in November. John Hall elected Chairman, G. Gordon first Town Clerk.
March 3, 1879
First Town Hall design competition. But building costs were too high and the project was abandoned in March 1882.
March 3, 1939
Statue of J. E. FitzGerald in Rolleston Avenue 'unveiled' as a student prank. The statue, a gift from R. E. Green, had been offered to the City Council in 1934 and to the Beautifying Association in 1936, but had been declined by both because of legal diputes between Mr Green and his family. The statue was finally accepted by the Domains Board in 1938, but was never officially unveiled.
March 4, 1909
Te Wai Pounamu Maori Girls College established at Ohoka. The college moved to Christchurch in 1921.
March 4, 1977
Museum Antarctic wing opens.
March 5, 1863
Samuel Bealey elected third Superintendent of Canterbury.

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