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

May 29, 1886: First trotting meeting held at Lancaster Park.
May 29, 1926: New Zealand’s first sports broadcast - a rugby match from Lancaster Park. Commentator Allan Allardyce was soon to pioneer broadcasts of racing, cricket and hockey for station 3YA. He also gave live coverage of Kingsford-Smith’s landing at Wigram in 1928.
May 29, 1967: Opening of the new Bank of New Zealand building in Cathedral Square.
May 30, 1866: Moorhouse elected as Provincial Superintendent - his second term of office.
May 30, 1874: First rugby match played.
May 30, 1890: Richmond joins City.
May 30, 1912: First netball match in City.
June 1, 1862: Hospital opens on site in Hagley Park. But only after the first vigorous “Hands off Hagley” protests by irate citizens.
June 1, 1961: Television transmission begins from CHTV 3, Christchurch.
June 2, 1874: "The Press" publishes an evening paper, "The Globe" to compete with "The Star". It became "The Telegraph", then "The Truth", then "Evening News". Publication ceased in May 1917.
June 2, 1902: Municipal refuse destructor in operation. The destructor chimney, by the present site of the MED, was a dominant city landmark for many years.
June 4, 1864: Serious fire in Colombo Street destroys buildings between Hereford and Cashel Streets.
June 4, 1866: Refurbished Royal Princess Theatre re-opens as the first Theatre Royal.
June 4, 1976: Opera singer Dame Joan Sutherland gives concert.