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

August 3, 1910: Canterbury Croquet Association (New Zealand’s first) formed in City.
August 4, 1878: Severe snowstorm over the South Island.
August 4, 1923: Railway to the West Coast opens. The much delayed opening of the Otira tunnel on June 18, 1918, had prevented earlier completion of the line.
August 6, 1867: Unveiling of the Godley statue in Cathedral Square New Zealand’s first public statue. However, the statue’s inscription acclaiming him ”founder of Canterbury“ is possibly over generous. Wakefield should at least share the title.
August 7, 1982: 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.
August 8, 1945: More flooding in City, worst at Shirley, Radley and Sumner.
August 8, 1989: Christchurch Central MP and Deputy Prime Minister, Geoffrey Palmer appointed as Prime Minister after resignation of David Lange.