Christchurch
New Zealand · Country profile
Christchurch is the largest city of the South Island of New Zealand and the historic capital of the Canterbury region, the English-founded city of the riverside parks, the gothic revival stone and the tidy gardens that has rebuilt itself with determination after the devastating earthquakes of the early century. The city, laid out around its central square and the river of the Avon, earned the name of the garden city for its green spaces, its botanical gardens and its tree-lined avenues, and its heritage buildings, the cathedral, the university and the old stone of the centre, anchor the historic heart amid the new developments of the reconstruction. The harbour of the Banks Peninsula and the beaches of the coast, the port of the Lyttelton and the mountains of the southern Alps beyond, frame the dramatic natural setting of the metropolis. Friendly, green and resilient, Christchurch is the quietly impressive gateway of the island of the south.
About Christchurch
Christchurch is a city in New Zealand. The city's documented population is around 396,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) and English and Māori are spoken; the dialling code is +64. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Christchurch Airport.
The Garden City Rebuilt Around the Avon
Christchurch is a green, easygoing city that has rebuilt itself with real dignity after the earthquakes, pairing the restored heritage of the centre with new quarters, street art and a determined civic energy. The river with its punting, the botanical gardens and the harbour of the nearby hills frame the relaxed, outdoorsy life of the city. It is the natural base for the wider region, the mountains, the whale-watching coast and the vineyards of the country beyond. The pace is calm, the people are warm and the city rewards an unhurried combination of heritage walks, garden days and day trips into the spectacular south.
The Southern Alps Trips and the Changeable Weather
The climate is temperate, with the warm, dry summers and the crisp winters touched by the alpine chill of the mountains; the famous nor-wester wind of the region makes the weather changeable. The cathedral quarter, the botanical gardens and the markets of the centre are the essential circuit, and the port of the hills, the beaches and the mountains of the region are the classic day trips. The New Zealand dollar is the currency and the cards work everywhere. The city is compact, safe and easy to cycle and to walk, with the buses and the trams of the heritage line filling the circuit of the centre.
The Streets of the Centre, the Port Hills and the Punting
The river of the Avon with its punting, its parks and its weeping willows runs the green heart of the city, and the botanical gardens of the centre, among the finest of the country, and the park of the Hagley give the vast lawns and the trees of the garden city. The harbour of the Lyttelton, the historic port reached through the tunnel of the hills, holds the food markets, the galleries and the bohemian life of the community, and the gondola of the hills above the city gives the panorama over the plains, the coast and the Alps. The street art of the new centre, the rebuilt cathedral district and the historic trams of the heritage line complete the picture of the resilient, handsome city.
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- Country
- New Zealand
- Population
- 396,000
- Coordinates
- -43.4894, 172.5320
- Capital
- Wellington
- Region
- Oceania
- Currency
- New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
- Languages
- English, Māori
- Calling code
- +64
- Country code
- NZ
Entry requirements for New Zealand
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting New Zealand for tourism.
Getting to Christchurch
Airports we list for Christchurch:
Other airports in the area:
Cities in New Zealand
Other cities we cover in New Zealand:
Frequently asked questions
Is Christchurch the capital of New Zealand?
No — the capital of New Zealand is Wellington.
What currency do I need in Christchurch?
The local currency is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). Languages spoken in New Zealand include English and Māori.
What is the dialling code for New Zealand?
The international dialling code for New Zealand is +64.
Which airport should I fly into for Christchurch?
Christchurch Airport (CHC) is the airport we list for Christchurch.
How far is Christchurch from the nearest airport?
Christchurch is about 304 km from Wellington Airport.
Do I need a visa to visit New Zealand?
It depends on your passport. For the origins we track, the current tourism visa status is Morocco (visa required). Check the entry requirements tool for your own nationality.
Flying out of Christchurch? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.