File:Christchurch city centre, with Cathedral c1930-c1940) (28445312845).jpg

Christchurch was established as a city by Royal Charter on July 31 1856, the first city to be established in New Zealand. Being ‘chartered’ as a city meant that a seat was established for a bishop in that region. This post was first filled by Bishop Henry John Chitty Harper, who arrived in Christchurch later that year and was an influential force behind the building of the Christchurch Cathedral.

The city was named by the Canterbury Association, which settled the surrounding province of Canterbury. The name of Christchurch was agreed on at the first meeting of the association on 27 March 1848. It was suggested by John Robert Godley, who had attended Christ Church, Oxford. Some early writers called the town Christ Church, but it was recorded as Christchurch in the minutes of the management committee of the association. John Robert Godley was an Irish statesman and bureaucrat who had been asked by the New Zealand Company to found a colony in New Zealand that would follow the beliefs of the Church of England. Despite founding Canterbury, Godley only lived in New Zealand for two years before returning to Britain.

The image of Cathedral Square is from the Walter Nash political papers collection. The image is one of many Nash used for publicising the beauty of New Zealand when on international visits. Unfortunately we don’t have an accurate date for this image.

Reference: AEFZ 22625 W5727 2598 3103/0190

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