Christchurch and Canterbury
Anglican Church Archives Christchurch
Archives of the Anglican diocese of Christchurch. Parish records and histories. Open to the public.
Archives New Zealand Christchurch office
The repository for the regional government archives of Canterbury, Westland, Marlborough and Nelson. The Christchurch Ōtautahi Regional Office also has records of:
– Canterbury Provincial Government
– Canterbury Association
– Environment Canterbury (Canterbury Regional Council)
Research advice and visiting information also available.
Canterbury Museum – Research
Resources include photographs, artworks, architectural plans, diaries, letters and records of organisations, maps and biographical indexes. Limited research services during Canterbury Museum redevelopment and no public access. A pop-up Museum will open at 66 Gloucester Street from mid 2023. The website remains active, with resources and updates at: https://www.canterburymuseum.com/redevelopment
Christchurch City Council Archives
Records dating back to 1862 of the Christchurch City Council and other Christchurch local authorities who have been amalgamated into the City Council. Visiting by appointment only – archives@ccc.govt.nz
Dunsandel Historical Society
The Dunsandel Historical Society started in 1978 and members endeavour to promote interest in, and encourage the recording of, local history for Dunsandel and the surrounding districts in Canterbury, primarily through their collection of archives and photographs. The society does not have standard opening hours but can be contacted by anybody with an interest in Dunsandel and the surrounding district.
Kowai Archives Society
Kowai Archives Society was formed in 1990 from a Sefton-Kowai Country Womens Institute project to preserve district records. The Society in turn, in 1995, restored the defunct Kowai Council Office as a base for its activities.
The collection includes: school rolls, baptisms, marriages, burials, land titles, Horrell files, maps, photographs and family trees.
There are also special items of local (Kowai) historical significance, scrapbooks and clippings for local papers.
The Archives operates from the former Kowai County Council Office (built in 1923); open the second Sunday of each month, 2 to 4 pm; or by arrangement.
Contact email: kowai.archives@gmail.com
Kei Muri Māpara, Methodist Church of New Zealand Archives
The national archive of the Methodist Church of New Zealand, located in Papanui, Christchurch. The archives holds over 1.5km of original records, including national Church governance and administrative material, parish archives (including baptism and marriage registers), personal manuscripts and ephemera, architectural plans, photographs, audio-visual material, objects and digital collections. They also hold an extensive collection of Methodist publications from NZ and abroad, collection finding aids and indexes. Open to researchers by appointment.
University of Canterbury Archives
Archive of the University of Canterbury. Located in the MacMillan Brown Library. Includes manuscripts, photographs, art, and architectural drawings. Available to researchers.
School archives
Christ’s College Archives
Archives recording College life, from socks to text books, examination papers to cricket caps, inkwells to ties.
Rangi Ruru Girls’ School Archives
Archives relating to the school. Contact the school for more information.
St Margaret’s College Archives
Available for research on Thursdays and Fridays. Please contact the archivist, to arrange an appointment.
Cantage - Canterbury Heritage 