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 16, 1866: Cook Strait cable service links North and South Islands.
August 16, 1868: Tsunami ("tidal wave") in Lyttelton Harbour. Part of the harbour bottom was laid bare, then a wave swept in, damaging the "Novelty".
August 16, 1890: First inter-provincial soccer match held in Christchurch. Canterbury beat Wellington 2-0.
August 17, 1903: City abattoir opens at Sockburn.
August 18, 1974: Concert by Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.
August 19, 1840: French settlers land at Akaroa.
August 19, 1859: Chamber of Commerce established in Lyttelton.
August 20, 1860: Canterbury Vocal Society formed. After several changes of name, it became the Royal Christchurch Musical Society in 1920. It is the oldest continually operating choral group in New Zealand.
August 20, 1984: A longterm aim of banning open fires is approved by the Christchurch City Council.
August 21, 1989: Sir Hamish Hay announces he will not stand for position of Mayor after 15 years in Local Body politics.
August 22, 1910: Ilam homestead (on the site of the present university staff club) destroyed by fire.
August 22, 1925: Radio Broadcasting Company of N.Z. incorporated in Christchurch - the country’s first public radio company. The company became the major force in early radio, eventually owning and operating a chain of YA stations throughout the country. See 1932