How many records does the archive hold?

81,477 records about Christchurch, every one linked at the provider that keeps the original.

How far back does the archive reach?

1800, the oldest record on file.

Where do the records come from?

30 collections: council archives, Papers Past, DigitalNZ’s partners, cemetery registers, the heritage list itself. The shelf says what exists and where it lives.

Are these documents verified?

They are leads and citations, not evidence, a record says a document exists and where to read it. What a document actually says is only claimed once somebody has read it; those readings live on the place pages.

“New Zealand The Gift”, the shelf

Every record the archive holds about Christchurch, the oldest first. The originals live at the provider each row links to.

858 records matching 94 of these 100 with their text read Papers Past · Canterbury Stories · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Te Papa Collections Online · National Publicity Studios black and white file prints · TAPUHI · Canterbury Museum · Auckland Museum Collections · New Zealand Gazette · Digital Public Library of America · V.C. Browne & Son NZ Aerial Photograph Collection · Christchurch City Libraries Flickr · Hocken Digital Collections · Museums Victoria · Air Force Museum of New Zealand Photograph Collection · Wellington City Council Archives · The New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero · New Zealand Electronic Text Collection · Christchurch City Libraries Heritage Images Collection · Lincoln University Living Heritage: Tikaka Tuku Iho · Flickr · Radio New Zealand · Alexander Turnbull Library Flickr · Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki · Te Hikoi Museum · iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao · Manawatū Heritage · Canterbury Photography Museum · Akaroa Museum · Hawke's Bay Museum

the 1890s
19 Jun 1890
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Southland Times, 19 June 1890) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1890
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 10 July 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1890
CANTERBURY COLLEGE (Star, 15 July 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Jul 1890
West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JULY 26, 1890. (West Coast Times, 26 July 1890) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Oct 1890
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 02 October 1890) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1890
The New Parliament. (Auckland Star, 08 December 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1891
An 1891 sketchbook by Petrus van der Velden · Art · Te Papa Collections Online · Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
30 Jan 1891
Local & General. (Star, 30 January 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Apr 1891
WHARF GATES. (Auckland Star, 16 April 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 May 1891
Sheffield" Handicap (Observer, 16 May 1891) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jun 1891
Local & General. (Star, 25 June 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Sept 1891
SPORTING. (Otago Daily Times, 14 September 1891) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 6 places
17 Oct 1891
Untitled (Daily Telegraph, 17 October 1891) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Oct 1891
A "CENTRAL" POLLING-PLACE. (Evening Post, 31 October 1891) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Nov 1891
DUNEDIN SHOW. (FROM OUR OWN REPORTER.) (North Otago Times, 28 November 1891) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jan 1892
Evening Post. THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 1892. A VINDICATION. (Evening Post, 07 January 1892) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jan 1892
Latest Locals. (Star, 22 January 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1892
Local & General. (Star, 15 February 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Feb 1892
Local & General. (Star, 17 February 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1892
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 05 May 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1892
Latest Locals. (Star, 18 June 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Aug 1892
ARTHUR STREET SCHOOL. (Otago Daily Times, 05 August 1892) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
29 Dec 1892
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 29 December 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1893
An Otira sketchbook by Petrus van der Velden · Art · Te Papa Collections Online · Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
1893
Tree study by Petrus van der Velden · Art · Te Papa Collections Online · Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
1893
Mount Rolleston by Petrus van der Velden · Art · Te Papa Collections Online · Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
1893
Otira Gorge by Petrus van der Velden · Art · Te Papa Collections Online · Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
1893
An 1893 sketchbook by Petrus van der Velden · Art · Te Papa Collections Online · Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
6 Jan 1893
A "CLEAN " COLONY. (Evening Post, 06 January 1893) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1893
Latest Locals. (Star, 25 January 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1893
Local & General. (Star, 21 February 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Feb 1893
DEATHS. (Auckland Star, 23 February 1893) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1893
Untitled (Star, 03 March 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1893
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 16 March 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1893
A FLAT CONTRADICTION. (Evening Post, 24 April 1893) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Apr 1893
Local & General. (Star, 26 April 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 May 1893
FOOTBALL. (Star, 23 May 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 May 1893
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 31 May 1893) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1893
Local & General. (Star, 12 June 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jun 1893
Local & General. (Star, 26 June 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jul 1893
Local & General. (Star, 03 July 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1893
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 06 July 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jul 1893
Local & General. (Star, 29 July 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Sept 1893
POLITICAL NOTES. (Otago Daily Times, 30 September 1893) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Oct 1893
Local & General. (Star, 14 October 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1893
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1893. (Evening Post, 29 December 1893) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Jan 1894
Local & General. (Star, 04 January 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jan 1894
Evening Post. FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 1894. (Evening Post, 26 January 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Jan 1894
Local & General. (Star, 31 January 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1894
Local & General. (Star, 21 February 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Mar 1894
Evening Post. FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1894. MUNICIPAL RATING. (Evening Post, 02 March 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1894
LOOAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 15 March 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1894
Local & General. (Star, 14 May 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1894
OUR LONDON LETTER. (Otago Witness, 24 May 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Jul 1894
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 03 July 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Jul 1894
Local & General. (Star, 23 July 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1894
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 26 July 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Jul 1894
THE THE Social Sphere (Observer, 28 July 1894) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1894
N.Z. PARLIAMENT. (Otago Witness, 30 August 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Sept 1894
N.Z. PARLIAMENT. (Otago Witness, 06 September 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1894
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1891 THE MARINE REGULATIONS OF STEAMSHIP COMPANIES. (Evening Post, 08 November 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1894
THE SAMOAN FARCE. (Evening Post, 20 November 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1894
Untitled (Auckland Star, 30 November 1894) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1894
Evening Post. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1894. THE REFORMING ROSEBERY. (Evening Post, 08 December 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jan 1895
NOTES OF THE WEEK. (Otago Daily Times, 26 January 1895) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
21 Mar 1895
IN A NUTSHELL. (Otago Witness, 21 March 1895) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1895
POST OFFICE NOTICES. (Otago Daily Times, 02 July 1895) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1895
West Coast Times. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1896. (West Coast Times, 04 November 1895) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Dec 1895
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Wanganui Chronicle, 03 December 1895) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1896
CABLED TOPICS. (Evening Post, 25 January 1896) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1896
THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1896. (Otago Daily Times, 29 May 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Jun 1896
COUNTRY NEWS. (Star, 03 June 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jun 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 04 June 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1896
LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE. (Otago Daily Times, 11 June 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Star, 01 July 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Aug 1896
CANTERBURY DOINGS. (Otago Witness, 20 August 1896) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Oct 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 08 October 1896) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1897
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 11 February 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Feb 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 16 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1897
TOWN EDITION. The Ensign. GORE: THURSDAY, MAY 13, 1897. DAIRY INDUSTRY. (Mataura Ensign, 13 May 1897) Mataura Ensign · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1897
LTTTELTON, (Star, 05 June 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1897
CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 15 June 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jun 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 25 June 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1897
FASH AND STATION. (Otago Witness, 01 July 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1897
Untitled (Auckland Star, 16 October 1897) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
22 Oct 1897
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1897. (Otago Daily Times, 22 October 1897) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Oct 1897
The Daily Telegraph. MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1897. AT HOME AND ABROAD. (Daily Telegraph, 25 October 1897) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1897
SPORTING. (Otago Daily Times, 25 November 1897) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1898
PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY (Auckland Star, 09 February 1898) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Feb 1898
LOCAL GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 February 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1898
Methodism in Otago and Southland (Otago Witness, 17 March 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Mar 1898
LOCAL AND GEN REAL (Star, 30 March 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1898
Irish News. (New Zealand Tablet, 01 April 1898) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1898
OMNIUM GATHERUM. (Otago Daily Times, 27 April 1898) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jun 1898
CYCLING. (Otago Witness, 23 June 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1898
THE VOYAGE OF THE FRAM. (Wanganui Herald, 28 June 1898) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Sept 1898
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 08 September 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Sept 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 20 September 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Oct 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 26 October 1898) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1898
NEW ZEALAND: GENERAL. (New Zealand Tablet, 01 December 1898) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read

Most of these originals are not republishable here, the link goes to the provider that keeps them. A search result is a lead, not evidence: what a document actually says is only claimed once somebody has read it, and those readings live on the place pages.

“New Zealand The Gift”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch