74-474: The Christchurch Botanic Gardens , located in the central city of Christchurch , New Zealand, were founded in 1863 when an English oak was planted to commemorate the solemnisation of the marriage of Prince Albert and Princess Alexandra of Denmark . The gardens sprawl over an area of 21 hectares and lie adjacent to the loop of the Avon River next to Hagley Park . The Christchurch Botanic Gardens have
148-409: A corpse flower bloomed in the house, which was a popular attraction leading to long queues and an extended opening time. The original Townend House was purchased and transferred from the grand Christchurch residence of 'Holly Lea' with funds from the estate of Annie Townend, a wealthy Christchurch heiress, who also owned Mona Vale . The present Townend House was erected in 1955 to 1956 on the site of
222-481: A magnetograph house, an absolute house (for celestial and magnetic measurements) and an office and seismograph room were built. The observatory was famously used by both Captain Robert Falcon Scott and Sir Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic teams to make magnetic surveys in preparation for their expeditions. However, electrification of the tramways in 1905 interfered with the magnetic measurements. As
296-475: A 53-room dwelling built in 1900 for 78-year-old bachelor Allan McLean , is currently threatened with demolition. The central city prior to the 2010–2011 earthquakes had an increasing residential population. The last four New Zealand censuses had the usual resident population on 30 June recorded as follows: The Christchurch City Council alongside Ōtākaro Limited is trying to revitalise the central city. The Council aspires to have 30,000 residents living within
370-552: A Sunday afternoon. Cuningham House (originally called Winter Gardens) was built in 1923 and opened on 9 August 1924. It is a large, stately structure of architectural importance and is listed with the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga . A spacious staircase leads to a large peripheral gallery where an extensive collection of tropical plants are displayed such as Dieffenbachia , Peperomia , Hoya , Banana palms , Anthurium and Dracaena . In 2020,
444-635: A central city redevelopment study. The project was publicly notified in the 1968 District Scheme, and again in the 1979 review. In 1981, the Christchurch City Council, in collaboration with the Cashel and High Street Businessmen's Associations, adopted a design and authorised implementation. The streets were closed to traffic on 11 January 1982 and the Mall was opened by the former Mayor, Sir Hamish Hay , on 7 August 1982. On 17 December 2009,
518-607: A glimpse of wild New Zealand and see mature trees and plants including the legendary silver fern, Harakeke , Rimu , Kōtukutuku . Laid in 1926, the gardens’ border is in two parts, divided by an ornamental sundial presented by Canterbury Superintendent William Rolleston in 1873. The sandy soils at the eastern end are perfect for plants from hot dry climates and is shaded from wind by the Robert McDougall Art Gallery . Colourful European and North American plants including phlox , aster and geranium dominate
592-474: A memorial sundial replaced the pool. Now, 104 beds support a profusion of climbing, standard and Hybrid Tea modern garden roses. The Rock Garden contains some plants that remain in flower throughout the year. The Rock Garden's terraced south-facing slopes are ideal for growing many alpine plants and most of the plants here are exotic (the native subalpine species are part of the New Zealand collection). On
666-551: A pedestrian precinct on 25 April 1977 (Anzac Day) by Captain Charles Upham , i.e. this stretch became a pedestrian precinct some five years before the establishment of City Mall. Another pedestrianised street is New Regent Street , which has building façades in the Spanish Mission style. It became a pedestrian mall as part of the heritage tram loop in 1995. The street survived the earthquake with little damage, and
740-720: A population density of 1,317 people per km . Christchurch Central City had a population of 5,925 at the 2018 New Zealand census , an increase of 1,020 people (20.8%) since the 2013 census , and a decrease of 1,725 people (−22.5%) since the 2006 census . There were 2,820 households, comprising 3,162 males and 2,769 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.14 males per female, with 444 people (7.5%) aged under 15 years, 2,295 (38.7%) aged 15 to 29, 2,559 (43.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 627 (10.6%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 72.4% European/ Pākehā , 6.9% Māori , 2.6% Pasifika , 20.2% Asian , and 5.2% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas
814-504: A result, between 1912 and 1929, a new observatory was set up at Amberley , though some of the work continued until the land reverted to Christchurch City Council in 1970. GNS now does the work at Eyrewell . The Kate Sheppard Memorial Walk opened in 1990 to commemorate a pioneer who fought hard to achieve the right for New Zealand women to vote. The white camellia became a lasting symbol of women's suffrage and achievement in New Zealand. Canterbury women's groups gifted 100 camellias to
SECTION 10
#1732780063819888-550: A revamped City Mall was opened by mayor Bob Parker , incorporating the tourist tram through the mall. The Bridge of Remembrance was opened on Armistice Day, 11 November 1924 by the Governor-General, Admiral of the Fleet, Lord Jellicoe, who had previously laid the foundation stone on Anzac Day, 25 April 1923. The road through the bridge was removed and the short stretch between Oxford Terrace and Cambridge Terrace opened as
962-587: A simple classification for roses and Heritage roses are defined as those established before 1867. Contains a temperate Asian collection of trees and shrubs, most of them from China, Japan and the Himalayas. Gravel and sand were removed from this area by the cartload in the early 1900s and used to construct paths around the growing city. The pits left behind were developed into a cluster of ponds. The ponds’ silty mud floors are perfect for growing water lilies ( Nymphaea ) and are seldom cleaned or disturbed. Many of
1036-585: A small zoo which also housed several species, including a California grizzly bear . In 1928 the Acclimatisation Society relocated and the land became part of Hagley Park again, with daffodils being planted from 1933. In spring, primulas create a mass of early colour alongside a small stream, Addington Brook, which flows through South Hagley Park to the Avon River. The pinetum is an arboretum of pine trees or related conifers and
1110-519: A variety of collections of exotic and local plants of New Zealand , several conservatories, a nursery, playground and Climatological Station . The mission of Christchurch Botanic Gardens is threefold: The Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre, which opened in April 2014, has a café, gift shop and an interactive permanent exhibition featuring the history of plants and gardening in Canterbury . Attached to
1184-809: A very active night life. These areas complement The Strip , a part of Oxford Terrace that started to support outdoor dining during the day and night time entertainment in the 1990s. The Arts Centre , the Canterbury Museum , the Christchurch Art Gallery and the Centre of Contemporary Art (CoCA) are located in the Cultural Precinct. The majority of the activities are free. Central Christchurch has two enclosed malls. South City Shopping Centre opened in 1990 and covers an area of 2,700 m . It has 550 carparks and 32 stores, and
1258-514: Is anchored by a Chemist Warehouse and JB Hi-Fi . The Crossing shopping centre opened in 2017. It covers 1,400 m with 630 carparks. The mall has 40 stores, including H&M and FreshChoice . The central city has a large number of registered heritage buildings that are either listed with Heritage New Zealand or are noted in the Christchurch City Plan. A large number of these buildings have been significantly damaged by
1332-584: Is inscribed with the English 'World Peace Bell' and Japanese 'sekai heiwa no kane'. At the unveiling in 2006, Ngāi Tahu gifted Ira Atua Tane, a sculpted piece of pounamu/greenstone, which was placed in the reflection pond beneath the Bell. In the same year, part of this pounamu – Ira Atua Wahine – was placed under the Te Korowai Rangimarie – Cloak of Peace sculpture (by Kingsley Baird ) gifted to
1406-693: Is now functioning with several shops, and appearances by the Wizard of New Zealand. Prior to the earthquakes, the Christchurch City Council was considering turning a section of Oxford Terrace (the section between Cashel Street and Hereford Street, then known as The Strip ) into a part-time pedestrian mall (nightly from 11 pm to 5 am). Since around 2005, two precincts have developed in small central city lanes, known as Poplar Lane and South of Lichfield or SOL Square . A large number of bars are accommodated in these two areas, with
1480-694: Is now the home of the Canterbury Horticultural Society. After the Christchurch mosque shootings , Christchurch residents and visitors placed flowers, cards and teddy bears against the Botanical Gardens wall as they mourned for those killed and sought a way to show love to the Muslim community. Christchurch Central City Christchurch Central City or Christchurch City Centre is the geographical centre and
1554-831: Is undecided, including the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament and the Anglican ChristChurch Cathedral . A replacement Anglican cathedral, the Cardboard Cathedral , opened in August 2013 on the site of the former St John the Baptist Church. The Central City offered well over 450 unique retail businesses and over 130 cafes, restaurants, bars and clubs. It had the largest selection of fashion, food, café and entertainment in
SECTION 20
#17327800638191628-473: The 2010 Canterbury earthquake and was devastated in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake . Following this second earthquake, the Central City Red Zone was set up and, with a gradually shrinking area, remained inaccessible except to authorised contractors until June 2013. However, proposals to relocate the city centre elsewhere, to avoid future damage, were considered both uneconomical (as much of
1702-496: The 2010 Canterbury earthquake . Many building façades collapsed into the streets and authorities cordoned off large areas of the central city following the event. Manchester Courts , the tallest commercial building in Christchurch when it was built in 1905–06 and a Category I heritage building suffered serious structural damage and was the first major building that was demolished, with the demolition finishing just days before
1776-465: The 2011 Christchurch earthquake . Nearly six months later on Tuesday 22 February 2011, a second earthquake measuring magnitude 6.3 struck the city at 12:51 pm. It was located closer to the city, and although lower on the moment magnitude scale than the previous earthquake, the intensity and violence of the ground shaking was measured to be IX ( Violent ) on the Mercalli intensity scale , and
1850-617: The Nagasaki Peace Park by the New Zealand government and six city councils. The Bandsmen's Memorial Rotunda was erected in 1926 and was officially opened by MP Sir Heaton Rhodes . Rhodes, a Colonel in the war, recounted that after Gallipoli only one band could be formed from the four that went to the battle as casualties were so heavy. Until the 1950s, brass bands would regularly play at the Bandsmen's Memorial Rotunda and many Christchurch residents would gather for concerts on
1924-562: The South Island . The central city has a number of residential areas, including Inner City East, Inner City West, Avon Loop, Moa Neighbourhood and Victoria. South of Tuam Street, commercial usage and some light industries are present. With over 6,000 full-time equivalent students, the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology is the major education provider in the city centre. Cathedral Square
1998-439: The city's high rise buildings , including Hotel Grand Chancellor , PricewaterhouseCoopers , Clarendon Tower , and Radio Network House have been demolished. Many churches have been demolished following the earthquakes, including Durham Street Methodist Church , Oxford Terrace Baptist Church , St Luke's Church, Christchurch , St Paul's Church , and St John the Baptist Church . Other churches are badly damaged and their fate
2072-676: The national Meteorological Service . The 1940s wooden building beside the Climatological Station is a remnant of the Magnetic Observatory set up here in 1901. In 1897 Adolf Schmidt proposed a magnetic field observatory to improve the distribution of magnetic observatories across the world; there were then 4 in Britain and 5 in Japan, but only 3 south of the equator; Jakarta , Mauritius and Melbourne . In 1901
2146-633: The 16th, Sir George Seymour on the 17th, and Cressy on the 27th, having set sail from England in September 1850. The settlers on these First Four Ships were dubbed the Canterbury Pilgrims by the British press. A further 24 shiploads of Canterbury Association settlers, making a total of approximately 3,500, arrived over the next two and a half years. The central city was among the most heavily damaged areas of Christchurch following
2220-459: The 1860s. A popular playground, it's been entertaining generations of Christchurch children for many years. Close by the playground a Jurassic-era species, Wollemi Pine was planted in 2013, the first of its plantings in New Zealand. The Climatological Station has provided daily readings for well over a century. Gardens staff record the information at 9 am each day. Cloud cover, visibility, wind direction, rainfall and other details are forwarded to
2294-766: The 2010 and 2011 earthquakes. Some heritage buildings collapsed during the February earthquake (e.g. the Stone Chamber of the Canterbury Provincial Council Buildings ), many have been demolished already (e.g. St Elmo Courts , The Press Building or St Luke's Church ), and for many heritage buildings, the fate is as yet unclear (e.g. the Peterborough Centre . ) McLean's Mansion in Manchester Street,
Christchurch Botanic Gardens - Misplaced Pages Continue
2368-517: The Avon River / Ōtākaro ran eccentrically across the site. Two diagonal streets (High Street/Ferry Road leading to Ferrymead , Heathcote and Sumner and Victoria Street/Papanui Road leading to the Papanui Bush) also broke the regularity of the grid. At the very centre of the city was a 'Square' (which is actually cross-shaped) intended as a grand centre for the city and the site of the proposed cathedral and grammar school. East and north-west of
2442-585: The Botanic Gardens from 1956 to 1974. The diorama depicts a desert scene representing from South Africa to South America. Built-in the 1960s, Gilpin House is a modest-sized conservatory featuring tropical collections of Orchids, Tillandsias, Bromeliads and carnivorous plants. The Fern House or Fernery was constructed in 1955 as a result of bequests from Mary Rothney Orr and James Foster. A narrow meandering path winds through collections of New Zealand ferns,
2516-602: The Canterbury Association in March 1850. The Christchurch Botanic Gardens are botanical gardens founded in 1863, when on 9 July an English oak was planted to commemorate the solemnisation of marriage between Prince Albert and Princess Alexandra of Denmark . The Gardens cover an area of 21 hectares, and lie adjacent to the loop of the Avon River / Ōtākaro next to Hagley Park. Harry Beswick (politician) Too Many Requests If you report this error to
2590-549: The Canterbury Association's requirements, he relocated Christchurch to where he had previously placed a town called 'Stratford' at a point on the Avon where those coming up the river first encountered slightly higher, drier ground. Back then, the Avon River / Ōtākaro was navigable as far as 'The Bricks' just upstream of the Barbadoes Street bridge. The site is these days marked by a riverbank cairn. The site got its name when
2664-460: The Christchurch City Council released "A City For People Action Plan", a program of work through to 2022 to improve public spaces within the central city to entice more inner city residents and visitors. A primary action is to reduce the impact of motorised private vehicles and increase the comfort of pedestrians and cyclists. The plan is based on a report prepared for the council by renowned Danish design firm Gehl Architects. The central city includes
2738-503: The Deans Brothers in the 1840s had shipped bricks for their Riccarton homestead, located further up the river, which they unloaded in this location. Christchurch is one of a group of only four cities in the world that have been carefully planned following the same layout of a central city square, four complementing city squares surrounding it and a parklands area that embrace the city centre. The first city built with this pattern
2812-596: The Four Avenues by 2026. When the historic census population (for 1996, 2001 and 2006) is plotted and extrapolated to 2026, and compared to the required growth to reach a projected population of 30,000 residents by 2026, it becomes clear that this is an ambitious goal. Entire city blocks have been earmarked for residential development, as well as private developments, aiming toward this goal. Christchurch City Centre covers 6.34 km (2.45 sq mi). It had an estimated population of 8,350 as of June 2024, with
2886-474: The Square were two more 'squares' ( Latimer and Cranmer Squares , which are actually rectangles) which were placed more or less regularly in relation to the diagonal line of Ōtākaro running in a north-easterly direction across the city to the west and north of the central square. The grid was laid out originally between Salisbury Street to the north and St Asaph Street to the south and between Barbadoes Street to
2960-452: The belt between the outer one-way streets and the avenues, was developed later in a progressive fashion and does not have the regularity of the core area. Like most of the city, the centre is relatively flat. Before the earthquakes, Christchurch was home to many high rise buildings, but many of these were demolished following the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Tall buildings left include Pacific Tower and Forsyth Barr Building , which dominate
3034-445: The central city has traditionally been home to manufacturing, but there has been a decline in this area, with many companies either moving to commercial subdivisions, closing, or relocating overseas. Many education providers are located in the city centre. Ara Institute of Canterbury with 6000 students is the largest of these. There are several schools in the central city. Rolls are as of August 2024. Hagley Park is, at 165 ha,
Christchurch Botanic Gardens - Misplaced Pages Continue
3108-400: The city. The city centre is laid out in a grid pattern , interrupted only by the curvilinear alignment of the Avon River / Ōtākaro , and the two diagonals High Street and Victoria Street. Christchurch has four pairs of one-way streets. The grid pattern within the outermost one-way streets is very regular, as this is the area that was laid out in the original survey. The surrounding area, i.e.
3182-524: The east and Rolleston Avenue/Park Terrace to the west. Between Salisbury, Barbadoes and St Asaph Streets and (respectively) the North, East and South Town Belts (these days called Bealey, Fitzgerald and Moorhouse Avenues) were 'town reserves', i.e. land with-held from immediate sale, which was sold off by the Provincial Government later in the 1850s to overcome cash flow problems. The streets of
3256-410: The former house of the same name. Townend House is essentially a flowering conservatory where a regular succession of popular greenhouse plants are grown. These include Calceolaria , Cyclamen , Begonias, Impatiens and Primula. It contains the most extensive publicly owned collection of cacti and succulents in New Zealand and also includes a diorama painted by Gordon Gee, the sign and label writer for
3330-573: The gardens in 1990, forming the beginnings of the Kate Sheppard Memorial Walk. In 1993, a new variety of white camellia, named Kate Sheppard, was created to mark the 100th anniversary of the successful campaign. The Christchurch Botanic Gardens tea kiosk was closed due to damage from the 2011 Christchurch earthquake . Upon repair, the kiosk temporarily housed the Enchanted Garden exhibition by artist Jenny Gillies but
3404-664: The heart of Christchurch , New Zealand. It is defined as the area within the Four Avenues (Bealey Avenue, Fitzgerald Avenue, Moorhouse Avenue and Deans Avenue ) and thus includes the densely built up central city, some less dense surrounding areas of residential, educational and industrial usage, and green space including Hagley Park , the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and the Barbadoes Street Cemetery . It suffered heavy damage in
3478-483: The infrastructure was still mainly intact) and unnecessary, as the rebuilt city centre would be to modern building standards so as to be able to withstand similar quakes and liquefaction in the future. At the centre of the city is Cathedral Square , surrounding the Anglican cathedral, Christ Church . The area around this square and within the four avenues of Christchurch is considered the central business district of
3552-432: The largest urban open space in Christchurch. The park was created in 1855 by the Provincial Government. According to the government's decree at that time, Hagley Park is "reserved forever as a public park, and shall be open for the recreation and enjoyment of the public." Hagley Park is characterised by its trees and broad open spaces. Hagley Park was named after the country estate of Lord Lyttelton , who became chairman of
3626-496: The main species present with their spring show being enhanced by the sculptured flowers of the magnolias, in bloom slightly earlier, and the cone-shaped flowers of the horse chestnut trees. This collection began in 1952 and was remodelled in 1999. The garden includes rose species, hybrids and varieties commonly cultivated in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. In 1979, the World Federation of Rose Societies adopted
3700-470: The moist western end. In the shadiest areas, hostas are a feature. When the first rose garden was established here in 1909, it was considered the largest and finest in Australasia, with its rectangular rosarium having 132 beds and almost 2500 rose bushes. The rose garden was redeveloped in the mid-1930s, with four paths converging at a mirror pool in the middle of a circular design. Twenty years later
3774-454: The most significant of these being a New Zealand icon the silver fern . Beneath the path a gentle stream moves through the house creating a perfect environment for moisture-loving ferns such as Asplenium and Blechnum . Foweraker House was named for Jean Foweraker, a Christchurch alpine plant enthusiast and donor of many collections of alpine plants to the gardens. The displays of both indigenous and exotic alpine plants frequently change as do
SECTION 50
#17327800638193848-446: The next best and Christchurch being the youngest had to be content with chiefly Irish and Colonial bishoprics as names for its streets. This accounts for, what to anyone not knowing the circumstances, appears strange, viz: that many of the best English Bishoprics are not represented while Irish and Colonial ones are. Sumner in fact died too late for the names there used to be again employed in Christchurch. The original plan from 1850 shows
3922-509: The north-west corner of the 'town reserves' (surrounded by the Avon River / Ōtākaro, Fitzgerald and Bealey Avenues and Barbadoes Street, with an additional small rectangular area to the west of Barbadoes Street) as the cemetery for the settlement. Individual town sections were shown on the survey plan, the Black Map, and numbered by the surveyors in a logical order, in contrast to the rural sections surrounding Christchurch, which were numbered at
3996-495: The original grid were mostly projected out to the Town Belts, but the street system is less systematic in the former 'town reserves'. The names chosen for the streets of the inner city almost all commemorate the English colonial origins of the settlement. The names chosen later for the town belts commemorate important personalities of early Christchurch. Jollie explains in his diary how the streets got their names: The names of
4070-571: The other side of the path, the Heather Garden faces the sunny north with many species of heath and heather growing here. In 1917, when the original rock garden was developed, gardeners planted an avenue of limes . The path was named Beswick's Walk after a former mayor of Christchurch, Harry Beswick . In 1938, the New Zealand Garden was extended to allow space for alpine plants, hebe and Leptospermum beds. The new addition
4144-533: The pedestrianised Cashel and High Streets, known as City Mall . At one end of the mall stands the Bridge of Remembrance ; at the intersection of Cashel and High Streets is the old location of the amphitheatre known as the Hack Circle ; and the portion of High Street up to the junction of Colombo and Hereford Streets forms the remaining part of the mall. The concept of a pedestrian mall originated in 1965 as part of
4218-521: The planting in the gardens’ pinetum started before World War II . The collection has matured into a fine expanse of conifers , including many species and cultivars of cedar, cypress, fir, larch, juniper and spruce. The Christchurch Botanic Gardens was chosen as the location for the New Zealand Peace Bell. Once the site was blessed by Ngāi Tahu , a raised pavilion was constructed in 2005 and unveiled in 2006. The massive 365 kg bell
4292-602: The preparations for the settlement (surveying, roads, accommodation, etc.) undertaken by Captain Joseph Thomas' team. These preparations were advanced, but incomplete when the first ships of settlers arrived on 16 December 1850, having been halted by Godley shortly after his arrival in April due to the mounting debts of the Association. The Charlotte-Jane and Randolph arrived in Lyttelton Harbour on
4366-456: The seasons, flowers and foliage. In addition, there is a permanent display of slow-growing conifers that create a neutral looking environment in which the alpine plants can be appreciated. The gardens and the wider area of Hagley Park provide a central city refuge for up to forty species of introduced and native birds. The kererū is a solid bird with a glossy green upper body, mauve back and white breast. Able to digest larger fruits and broadcast
4440-474: The seed, the pigeon has a key role in native forest renewal with its thudding wingbeats heard well before it is seen. Other native bush-dwellers are the sleek olive green bellbird , more often heard than seen, and the acrobatic New Zealand fantail which flits about in search of insects. Flocks of silvereye twitter and feed together while tiny riroriro are also common. The most common bush birds – blackbird, thrush, starling and house sparrow – were introduced in
4514-554: The skyline and can be seen throughout the city. The Māori were the first settlers in the area occupying modern-day Christchurch, the area was a mixture of wetlands with patches of grasslands , there were two kāinga in Central Christchurch. Puāri near Victoria Square , an important food-gathering place for local Māori. And Tautahi Pā located further east of the Puāri kāinga. The European settlement of Christchurch
SECTION 60
#17327800638194588-447: The streets of the three towns I surveyed were taken from Bishoprics and the way it was done was this; as soon as I completed the map I took it to Thomas who putting on his gold spectacles and opening his would read out a Bishop's name to hear if it sounded well. If I agreed with him that it did, I put the name to one of the streets requiring baptism. Lyttelton being the first born town got the best names for its streets, Sumner being next had
4662-479: The time of and in the order of their purchase. The following streets were those laid out in the 1850 survey (listed east to west, then north to south, then diagonals). Where a street name is one of the original names as devised by surveyors Joseph Thomas and Edward Jollie, this is marked as such. The prime movers of the Canterbury Association were Edward Gibbon Wakefield and John Robert Godley. Godley, with his family, went out to New Zealand in early 1850 to oversee
4736-553: The visitor centre is the Ilex nursery, where 10,000 plant species are propagated in order to supply the conservatories and also preserve species. John Armstrong, one of the early curators of the gardens, is commemorated at the Armstrong Lawn, where formal bedding displays of petunia, begonia and salvia bloom through spring and summer with tulips, primula and Iceland poppies bringing post-winter colour. The Peacock Fountain
4810-504: The water garden plants are herbaceous perennials that lie down in winter, such as the bright blue Siberian iris and the marsh marigold . West of the main pond is also a Yucca collection. Early colonists set aside grounds in Hagley Park to test how plants and animals from around the world would adapt to New Zealand conditions. The Canterbury Acclimatisation Society developed the area, introducing European fish and birdlife as well as
4884-484: Was Philadelphia , later came Savannah and Adelaide . The fourth city using this pattern was Christchurch. As such Christchurch holds an important legacy and a strong platform for future development. Thomas' plan for Christchurch (laid out by the surveyor Edward Jollie by March 1850) was the 'standard' rectangular grid of colonial settlement (adopted for ease of survey and to facilitate land sales). Thomas did not allow Jollie to include crescents to provide variety, but
4958-562: Was 41.8, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 51.6% had no religion, 31.4% were Christian , 0.8% had Māori religious beliefs , 3.7% were Hindu , 1.9% were Muslim , 1.7% were Buddhist and 4.3% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 2,097 (38.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 432 (7.9%) people had no formal qualifications. 957 people (17.5%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15
5032-470: Was a popular destination and hosts attractions such as the speakers' corner made famous by the Wizard of New Zealand , Ian Brackenbury Channell, and evangelist Ray Comfort . A central city heritage tram system has been operated since 1995. In 2010, the system was extended to the south to form a figure of eight. The tram system does not fulfil a transport function and is aimed at the tourism market. In 2010
5106-422: Was among the strongest ever recorded globally in an urban area and in total 185 people were killed with nationals from more than 20 countries among the victims. ChristChurch Cathedral lost its spire and widespread damage was caused to city buildings already weakened by 4 September 2010 earthquake and its aftershocks. A large number of heritage buildings have been demolished since the earthquake, and most of
5180-435: Was created as a memorial to Dr Leonard Cockayne (1855–1934) in honour of his comprehensive contribution to New Zealand's botany, horticulture, ecology and conservation. In the 1960s this garden was completely redesigned and replanted, such as Kōwhai , Hotorka, hebe and tōtara . Under canopies of mature oaks and silver birch trees, the azalea flower for about a month from mid-October. Deciduous rhododendron mollis are
5254-495: Was established at its present location between 1910 and 1927 by Botanic Gardens Curator James Young. Over several decades these gardens evolved into a fine collection of New Zealand species, interwoven and overlaid with new extensions. The gardens provide a wonderful opportunity for getting lost under a canopy of mature trees such as kahikatea and beech . A short looped trail featuring some of New Zealand's most iconic and loved native plants. The small grove allows visitors to catch
5328-479: Was imported from England and first installed in the garden. A statue of William Sefton Moorhouse commemorates the second of the four superintendents of the Canterbury provincial government. At the far end of the lawn is the Curator's House , built in 1920, which is now used for fine dining and education. In its garden, nasturtiums and herbs grow alongside heirloom and gourmet vegetables. The New Zealand Garden
5402-399: Was that 3,279 (59.8%) people were employed full-time, 669 (12.2%) were part-time, and 225 (4.1%) were unemployed. The central city is an important employment area supporting 26,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees, and with much of the floor area taken up by office space. One of the biggest employers is Christchurch City Council with 800 FTE at the civic offices. The southern part of
5476-604: Was undertaken by the Canterbury Association , which was founded in London in 1848. That year, the Canterbury Association sent out Captain Joseph Thomas , accompanied by surveyors, to select and prepare a site for settlement. Thomas originally placed the principal town of the proposed settlement at the head of Lyttelton Harbour / Whakaraupō , but when he realised there was insufficient flat land there to meet
#818181