# Ilam, Christchurch

5,632 council reports since June 2015, the 22nd busiest suburb in the city. 4,378 photographs on record.
10,730 people at the 2023 Census, 2,789 to the square kilometre across 3.8 km².

https://www.chch.live/ilam

## Live source links

Link-outs to the source’s own live pages, chch.live does not copy their live values or source text.

- [Christchurch City Council What’s On](https://www.ccc.govt.nz/news-and-events/whats-on)
- [Christchurch City Libraries events](https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/events/)

## The encyclopaedia on it

Ilam is a suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand, about five kilometres west of the city centre. It is the location of the University of Canterbury.

Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilam%2C_New_Zealand), a tertiary source
Population: Stats NZ 2023 Census Statistical Area 2 counts summed over the suburb’s own areas, as Wikipedia maps them; the area is measured from the suburb boundary.

## Living here

New bonds here ran at about **$548 a week** in the April–June 2026 quarter, the middle half $413–$657, across 90 bonds, up 7% on a year ago. That’s in line with the city’s own quarter median of $550. Tenancy Services counts these under the Ilam North, Ilam South and Ilam University areas combined, approximately this suburb.
- 1-bedroom house, $595 a week · 42 new bonds
- 4-bedroom house, $594 a week · 12 new bonds
- 3-bedroom house, $600 a week · 6 new bonds
- room in a shared house, $210 a week · 6 new bonds
- 5+-bedroom house, $240 a week · 6 new bonds

Median and quartiles of weekly rents on new private bonds (Tenancy Services), new bonds only, not the whole stock.

## 2023 Census snapshot

About 10,224 people and 2,673 occupied private households, grouped from 55 SA1 areas in Ilam North, Ilam South, Ilam University. Several statistical areas are combined here, so this is a grouped proxy rather than a count for one suburb boundary.

- Under 15: about 10% (1,026 people)
- 65 and over: about 10% (1,053 people)
- Born overseas: about 36% of stated birthplace
- European ethnicity: about 69% of ethnicity responses
- Māori ethnicity: about 7% of ethnicity responses
- Pacific Peoples ethnicity: about 3% of ethnicity responses
- Asian ethnicity: about 27% of ethnicity responses

Ethnicity is a multiple-response measure, so those percentages are not meant to add to 100%. Stats NZ uses fixed random rounding to base 3; unavailable or confidential cells are left out, not treated as zero.

[individuals](https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/layer/120766-2023-census-totals-by-topic-for-individuals-by-statistical-area-1-part-1/) · [households](https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/layer/120765-2023-census-totals-by-topic-for-households-by-statistical-area-1/) · [geography](https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/table/111243/) · [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

## As reported (4,378 on record)
- [6 Ilkley Place, Ilam](https://www.chch.live/report/9066778)
- [128 Waimairi Road, Ilam](https://www.chch.live/report/9058676)
- [12 Tripp Place, Ilam](https://www.chch.live/report/9055260)
- [95 Maidstone Rd](https://www.chch.live/report/9052619)
- [121 Hamilton Ave](https://www.chch.live/report/9048696)
- [51A Memorial Ave](https://www.chch.live/report/9047927)

[4,378 photographs on the wall](https://www.chch.live/wall?suburb=ilam)

## The suburb, back then (12 in the archive)

*Placed by the record’s locality join or the name in its own title, a lead, not a claim each frame stood here.*
- [Ilam House, Riccarton](https://www.chch.live/then/1890s#p-52172972), 1896 · Canterbury Stories
- [Canterbury University Ilam campus](https://www.chch.live/then/2000s#p-58046620), 2004 · Canterbury Stories
- [Ilam the house taken in Christchurch by His Excellency the Governor and the Countess of Glasgow](https://www.chch.live/then/1890s#p-38083497), 1893 · Kura Heritage Collections Online
- [Ilam house - homestead (c1938) (PB0905/7)](https://www.chch.live/then/1930s#p-1402351), 1938 · V.C. Browne & Son NZ Aerial Photograph Collection
- [Ilam Homestead (PB0904/3)](https://www.chch.live/then/1930s#p-1402333), 1939 · V.C. Browne & Son NZ Aerial Photograph Collection
- [Looking SSE over Ilam Homestead (pre-1940) to R... (PB0904/2)](https://www.chch.live/then/1930s#p-1402332), 1939 · V.C. Browne & Son NZ Aerial Photograph Collection
- [Ilam, Christchurch, showing the University of Canterbury, with the Faculty of Science buildings under construction](https://www.chch.live/then/1960s#p-22723162), 1964 · TAPUHI
- [Ilam, Christchurch, showing the University of Canterbury, with the Faculty of Science buildings under construction](https://www.chch.live/then/1960s#p-22858989), 1964 · TAPUHI
- [Ilam, Christchurch, showing part of the University of Canterbury campus](https://www.chch.live/then/1970s#p-22713336), 1974 · TAPUHI
- [University of Canterbury, Ilam, Christchurch](https://www.chch.live/then/1970s#p-23143675), 1974 · TAPUHI

[…and 2 more across the archive](https://www.chch.live/then)

## The record on Ilam
- Ilam enters the written record in 26 July 1851, [“Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 26 July 1851)”](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18510726.2.2.3), [Papers Past](https://www.chch.live/collection/papers-past).
- “Ilam” appears somewhere in 245 of the archive’s records.
- A Papers Past search for the name surfaced 30 records, leads by provenance.
- The first report here: graffiti, 8 June 2015, at 61A Brodie Street.
- Its busiest day was 25 November 2023, 23 reports in a single day.
- The street that keeps coming up is [Waimairi Road](https://www.chch.live/street/ilam/waimairi-road), reported on 374 separate days.
- For elections the suburb’s centre falls inside [Fendalton ward](https://www.chch.live/wards/fendalton), the [Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood community board](https://www.chch.live/boards/fendalton-waimairi-harewood) is its local layer. The whole roll is at [/wards](https://www.chch.live/wards).
- On foot: [The college and the homesteads](https://www.chch.live/walks/ilam-college-and-homesteads), a heritage walk over this ground.

## How fast the council fixes things here (9,758 finished jobs on record)

The median council work order pinned in Ilam took **5 days** to resolve, the city-wide median is 3 days, so this ground runs slower than the city as a whole.
The slowest tenth of finished jobs waited 3 months or longer.
235 tickets are open here now, the oldest was filed 23 March 2019.

Work orders, not resident reports, the council’s MyCouncilTicket stream, and one job can appear in both. A median counts only finished jobs; open ones are named as open, never averaged in. [The ticket roll](https://www.chch.live/fixed) · [the whole city’s fix times](https://www.chch.live/trends#fix).

## Alcohol rules on this ground

**Riccarton-Ilam**, a public drinking ban (at all times, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week), covers most of Ilam.
5 sensitive sites stand here, Ilam School, Medbury Preparatory School, Tuia Burnside Primary School, University of Canterbury, Westburn Te Kura O Hereora, and the Local Alcohol Policy restricts new off-licences within 200 m of them.

The council’s bylaw zones and the Local Alcohol Policy’s buffer list. A ban rules drinking in public places; it says nothing about whether a premises may sell, that is the licence register’s job.

## Lately
- [Accessibility](https://www.chch.live/report/9066778), 10 Oct 2026 · 6 Ilkley Place, “on my week end walk, this van, blocking footpath with cable, electricity, looks like illegal camper?, worker?next to…”
- [Water Leak](https://www.chch.live/report/9058676), 9 Oct 2026 · 128 Waimairi Road, “leaking water pipe on grass verge”
- [Water Leak](https://www.chch.live/report/9057017), 8 Oct 2026 · 96 Maidstone Rd
- [Rubbish and Bins - General](https://www.chch.live/report/9055260), 8 Oct 2026 · 12 Tripp Place, “Red bin has been broken when emptied today”
- [Rubbish and Bins - General](https://www.chch.live/report/9052619), 8 Oct 2026 · 95 Maidstone Rd, “Rubbish keeps on being put in our red bin by someone at night and contains stuff that should be recycled. Is there…”
- [Poles and Signage - General](https://www.chch.live/report/9048696), 7 Oct 2026 · 121 Hamilton Ave, “Parking limitation sign on a lean”
- [Pothole](https://www.chch.live/report/9047927), 7 Oct 2026 · 51A Memorial Ave, “we have pothole at entrance to our lane51A -53 Memorial Avenue. This is trip hazard as elderly resident living in lane”
- [Hazard, vehicle](https://www.chch.live/report/9046155), 7 Oct 2026 · 9A Hamilton Ave, “Be respectful of other road users”
- [Trees - General](https://www.chch.live/report/9032646), 5 Oct 2026 · 163 Waimairi Road, “tree shrub hangover on footpath . residence appears as a flat”
- [Pothole](https://www.chch.live/report/9030933), 4 Oct 2026 · 186 Waimairi Rd, “A deep pothole”
- [Graffiti on a traffic light pole or cabinet, or wa](https://www.chch.live/report/9019481), 2 Oct 2026 · 75 Maidstone Road, “graffiti on traffic control cabinet nearby”
- [Poles and Signage - General](https://www.chch.live/report/9016867), 2 Oct 2026 · 17 Hamilton Avenue, “Yet again, the real estate signs company continues to ignore the Council's written directive that advertising hoardings…”

## Reports per year
- 2015, 51
- 2016, 97
- 2017, 225
- 2018, 256
- 2019, 352
- 2020, 326
- 2021, 481
- 2022, 600
- 2023, 851
- 2024, 821
- 2025, 911

## What gets reported
- Roads & footpaths, 1,543
- Rubbish & dumping, 1,164
- Water & drains, 1,031
- [Graffiti & vandalism](https://www.chch.live/problems/graffiti), 773
- Trees & parks, 747
- Vehicles & parking, 243
- Everything else, 103
- [Animals & pests](https://www.chch.live/problems/animals-pests), 20

## Exactly what people say
- [Roading/Streets](https://www.chch.live/problems/road-damage), 763
- [Dumped Rubbish](https://www.chch.live/problems/dumped-rubbish), 662
- [Graffiti](https://www.chch.live/problems/graffiti), 588
- [Water Leak](https://www.chch.live/problems/water-leaks), 492
- [Overgrown Vegetation](https://www.chch.live/problems/overgrown-vegetation), 237
- [Rubbish/Recycling](https://www.chch.live/problems/bins-recycling), 232
- [Water Supply](https://www.chch.live/problems/water-leaks), 205
- [Parks](https://www.chch.live/problems/parks-maintenance), 199

## On the heritage register (15)
- [College House Accommodation Block (North) Rymer, Chichele, Watts Russell and Setting](https://www.chch.live/place/453)
- [College House Accommodation Block (South) Stanford, Carrington, Milford, Parr, Warren and Setting](https://www.chch.live/place/451), 100A Waimairi Road
- [College House Chapel and Setting](https://www.chch.live/place/452), 100C Waimairi Road
- [College House Courtyard and setting](https://www.chch.live/place/455), 100A Waimairi Road
- [College House Kitchen, Dining Hall, Office, Common Room, Study Centre, Foyer, Accommodation Block and Setting](https://www.chch.live/place/450), 100 Waimairi Road
- [College House Library and Setting](https://www.chch.live/place/454), 100B Waimairi Road
- [College House Principal's Lodge and Setting](https://www.chch.live/place/247)
- [Dwelling and Setting](https://www.chch.live/place/40), 83 Clyde Road
- [Dwelling and Setting](https://www.chch.live/place/41)
- [Dwelling and Setting, Colwell](https://www.chch.live/place/150), 46 Memorial Avenue
- [Dwelling and Setting, Hatherley](https://www.chch.live/place/82), 19 Gleneagles Terrace
- [Former Dwelling and Setting, Ilam](https://www.chch.live/place/115), 87 Ilam Road
- [Former Dwelling and Setting, Okeover](https://www.chch.live/place/114)
- [Former Fendalton Open Air School Classroom and Setting](https://www.chch.live/place/248)
- [Former Ilam Gardens](https://www.chch.live/place/116)

The register’s own page for the area: [Ilam on the heritage register](https://www.chch.live/history/ilam)

On foot: [The college and the homesteads](https://www.chch.live/walks/ilam-college-and-homesteads), heritage walk over this ground.

## The streets that keep coming up
- [Waimairi Road](https://www.chch.live/street/ilam/waimairi-road), reported on 374 separate days
- [Maidstone Road](https://www.chch.live/street/ilam/maidstone-road), reported on 268 separate days
- [Ilam Road](https://www.chch.live/street/ilam/ilam-road), reported on 237 separate days
- [Creyke Road](https://www.chch.live/street/ilam/creyke-road), reported on 223 separate days
- [Clyde Road](https://www.chch.live/street/ilam/clyde-road), reported on 223 separate days
- [Hamilton Avenue](https://www.chch.live/street/ilam/hamilton-avenue), reported on 139 separate days
- [Parkstone Avenue](https://www.chch.live/street/ilam/parkstone-avenue), reported on 135 separate days
- [Memorial Avenue](https://www.chch.live/street/ilam/memorial-avenue), reported on 132 separate days

## Schools (3)
- [Ilam School](https://www.chch.live/school/3384-ilam-school), Contributing · decile 6 · EQI 394
- [Tuia Burnside Primary School](https://www.chch.live/school/3305-tuia-burnside-primary-school), Contributing · decile 4 · EQI 437
- [Westburn Te Kura O Hereora](https://www.chch.live/school/3589-westburn-te-kura-o-hereora), Full Primary · decile 9 · EQI 383

Decile and Equity Index describe the community a school draws from, never how well it teaches.

Zoned for [Burnside High School](https://www.chch.live/school/319-burnside-high-school) · [Christ The King School (Burnside)](https://www.chch.live/school/3316-christ-the-king-school-burnside) · [Christchurch Adventist School](https://www.chch.live/school/317-christchurch-adventist-school) · [Marian College](https://www.chch.live/school/343-marian-college) · [Middleton Grange School](https://www.chch.live/school/335-middleton-grange-school) · [St Bede's College](https://www.chch.live/school/315-st-bede-s-college) · and 14 more zones, the drawn zone is indicative; the Ministry’s written scheme is the legal boundary.

## The green here (7)
- [Ray Blank Park](https://www.chch.live/park/1045-ray-blank-park), Sports ground · 5 ha · playground, 7 pieces
- [Upper Riccarton Domain](https://www.chch.live/park/1172-upper-riccarton-domain), Sports ground · 4 ha · playground, 19 pieces
- [Corfe Reserve](https://www.chch.live/park/1038-corfe-reserve), 1 ha
- [Ryeland Reserve](https://www.chch.live/park/1251-ryeland-reserve), playground, 4 pieces
- [Annandale Park](https://www.chch.live/park/1176-annandale-park), playground, 3 pieces
- [Bullock Reserve](https://www.chch.live/park/1581-bullock-reserve), playground, 25 pieces
- [Montclare Reserve](https://www.chch.live/park/1302-montclare-reserve), playground, 13 pieces

A park lands in the suburb its centre falls inside, a centroid call, not a containment claim.

## Where the suburb worships (4)
- [Chapel of the Upper Room](https://www.chch.live/worship/chapel-of-the-upper-room), a church
- [Ilam Baptist Church](https://www.chch.live/worship/ilam-baptist-church), a Baptist church · 66 Ilam Road
- [University of Canterbury Musalla](https://www.chch.live/worship/university-of-canterbury-musalla), a mosque or musalla · 37 Creyke Road
- [](https://www.chch.live/worship/unnamed-way-1051810034), a place of worship

The whole roll is at [/worship](https://www.chch.live/worship).

## The tracks through here (30)
- [Walk and bike track through Ilam](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-270-upper-riccarton), 2.4 km · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Ilam](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-327-fendalton), 2.2 km · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Ilam](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-331-fendalton), 2.0 km · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Ilam](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-264-ilam), 1.8 km · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Ilam](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-294-ilam), 1.2 km · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Ilam](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-269-ilam), 1.1 km · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Ilam](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-244-ilam), 928 m · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Ilam](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-295-ilam), 806 m · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Ilam](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-326-fendalton), 788 m · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Ilam](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-291-ilam), 760 m · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Ilam](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-328-ilam), 627 m · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Ilam](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-255-ilam), 603 m · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Ilam](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-268-ilam), 545 m · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Ilam](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-277-ilam), 458 m · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Ilam](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-324-ilam), 453 m · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Ilam](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-276-ilam), 451 m · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Ilam](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-272-ilam), 411 m · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Ilam](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-304-burnside), 340 m · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Ilam](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-314-burnside), 328 m · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Ilam](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-250-ilam), 300 m · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Ilam](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-308-ilam), 266 m · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Ilam](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-281-ilam), 246 m · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Ilam](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-282-ilam), 228 m · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Ilam](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-317-ilam), 219 m · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Ilam](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-293-ilam), 210 m · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Ilam](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-305-ilam), 140 m · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Ilam](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-288-ilam), 108 m · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Ilam](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-300-ilam), 100 m · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Ilam](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-297-ilam), 89 m · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Ilam](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-251-ilam), 78 m · walk · bike

A track belongs to every suburb its line passes through.

## The ground that moved
The February 2011 survey drew mapped ground failure over 1.8% of this outline, about 7 hectares. A patch is a footprint, not a finding about an address; the count for the whole city is at [liquefaction](https://www.chch.live/liquefaction).
The flood record drew water over 0.3% of this outline, across 1 named event. A patch is one event’s observation, not a live hazard finding; the record is at [floods](https://www.chch.live/floods).
The plan’s ecological schedules cover **1%** of this outline across **1** scheduled site, all of it protected under Schedule A. Shares read from a sampled join; a recognition overlay, not a survey. The whole ledger: [ecology](https://www.chch.live/ecology).
The plan’s landscape schedules cover **1%** of this outline across **1** scheduled area. Shares read from a sampled join; a protection overlay, not a ranking of views. The kept view: [landscape](https://www.chch.live/landscape).
No high-hazard flood area covers this outline. The broader flood-management watch covers **20%** of it, Avon River. Shares read from a sampled join; a model’s map, not a promise. The waiting water: [flood-hazard](https://www.chch.live/flood-hazard).
The plan’s noise overlays cover **all** of this outline, about 385 hectares across **5** mapped overlays, **44%** of it inside the airport’s air-noise contours, where the 55 dB line bites, and inside the airport’s bird-strike buffer. Shares read from a sampled join; a planning line, not a meter’s reading. The quiet lines: [noise](https://www.chch.live/noise).
The plan’s water-margin layers cross this outline, **102** classified reaches, the plan calling **Waimairi Stream** and **Avon River**
           by name, **3%** of it inside the setback strips, the widest holding **10 m** off the bank. The margin is the plan’s drawing, not a survey of the bank. The drawn water: [water-margin](https://www.chch.live/water-margin).
The plan’s allowed shape holds this outline, **18%** of it inside the residential overlays, the densest standing **Suburban Density Transition**. The shape is the plan’s permission, not a survey of what stands. The allowed shape: [density](https://www.chch.live/density).
The rebuild’s cameras filed **1,304** photographs on this ground, 2010–2014, wastewater work mostly. Each frame is a receipt the dig left behind, a work log, not a survey of what stands now. The whole record: [rebuild](https://www.chch.live/rebuild).
The pedal network threads this ground, **21.1 km** of cycleway crosses the outline, 5.2 km of it separated from the traffic, [Nor'West Arc](https://www.chch.live/cycleway/nor-west-arc), [Uni-Cycle](https://www.chch.live/cycleway/uni-cycle). A segment counts under every suburb its path enters; the whole network: [cycleways](https://www.chch.live/cycleways).
The rulebook binds this ground, **13** drawn instruments, 1 alcohol ban, 12 bottle-store buffers; the outline sits inside the takiwā of Te Ngai Tuahuriri Runanga. The bylaw is the instrument, this the map of it, the rulebook: [rules](https://www.chch.live/rules).
**6** parcels inside this outline sit on the hazardous-activities register, mostly chemical manufacture, application and bulk storage, vehicle refuelling, service and repair, 3 still doing the work. A listing records the work, not a soil test; the register is at [hazards](https://www.chch.live/hazards).
The files record **107** parcels of made or characterised ground inside this outline, about 11 hectares, mostly engineered fill, gravel, topsoil. A record is the file’s word on what was laid, not a fresh survey; the layer is at [fill](https://www.chch.live/fill).
**1** parcel inside this outline carries a cleanup on the file. A cleanup on the file is the register’s word, not a clearance; the register is at [remediated](https://www.chch.live/remediated).
The 2019 liquefaction study put **56%** of this outline in the **possible** class. A class is the model’s verdict on a patch of ground, not a finding about an address; the study is at [vulnerability](https://www.chch.live/vulnerability).
The council’s structure register stands **10** assets on this ground, 5 sets of steps, 2 ramps, 2 jetties, 1 bridge, sited at Waimairi Community Centre, Corfe Reserve, Upper Riccarton Domain. Site names are the register’s own labels; the layer is drawn on [the map](https://www.chch.live/map?layer=structures).
The recreation register keeps **8** records inside this outline, bookable surfaces for 3 cricket, 3 football, 1 basketball, 1 ultimate frisbee. Seasons and surfaces are the register’s record, not this week’s draw; the layer is drawn on [the map](https://www.chch.live/map?layer=recreation).
The register counts **2439** living trees inside this outline, **42** veterans among them, 32 carrying a protection, mostly Sweet Gum, Flowering Cherry, Yoshino Cherry. The file remembers **1204** trees felled here. A tree record is the register’s word on what stands or stood; the canopy is at [trees](https://www.chch.live/trees).
The plan files **40%** of this outline under **Residential Suburban**, **58%** residential, the rest mostly Specific Purpose (Tertiary Education) 21%, Medium density residential zone 18%. A zone is a permission, not a description, the mix is a sampled read of the plan’s polygons; the district’s zoning is at [zones](https://www.chch.live/zones).
The plan reserves about **13 hectares** of this outline, **3%** , under 3 designations, mostly learning. A designation is a claim on the ground, not a build date, the mix is a sampled read; the register is at [designations](https://www.chch.live/designations).
The plan’s exceptions touch **30%** of this outline, 15 qualifying matters, mostly utilities, heritage. A matter narrows how the density rule applies, it does not forbid; the mix is a sampled read, and the cultural-significance areas are the plan’s own unnamed ones. The register is at [matters](https://www.chch.live/matters).
The plan’s heritage schedule protects **16** places by name in this suburb, **10** graded highly significant, **College House Accommodation Block (North) Rymer, Chichele, Watts Russell and Setting**, **College House Accommodation Block (South) Stanford, Carrington, Milford, Parr, Warren and Setting**, **College House Chapel and Setting** among them. A setting is the ground the item stands in, each files under the suburb holding its centroid. The schedule is at [heritage](https://www.chch.live/heritage).
GeoNet’s catalogue puts 1 magnitude-3+ epicentre inside this outline since the sequence opened, the biggest a M3.1 in 2011. An epicentre is where the instruments placed the break, not a measure of the shaking here; the whole catalogue is counted at [sequence](https://www.chch.live/sequence), and the story in plain language is [the earthquakes explainer](https://www.chch.live/how-nz-works/canterbury-earthquakes).

## The names on this ground (14)
- [All our Afternoons](https://www.chch.live/memorial/all-our-afternoons), artwork · Morgan Jones
- [An Installation](https://www.chch.live/memorial/an-installation), artwork · Rosemary Johnson
- [Bridges of Friendship Garden](https://www.chch.live/memorial/bridges-of-friendship-garden), artwork
- [Lorna](https://www.chch.live/memorial/lorna), artwork · Llew Summers
- [University Map](https://www.chch.live/memorial/university-map), artwork
- [University of Canterbury Coat of Arms](https://www.chch.live/memorial/university-of-canterbury-coat-of-arms), artwork
- [Untitled Test Structure](https://www.chch.live/memorial/untitled-test-structure), artwork · Hall and MacKenzie
- [Avon River / Ōtākaro](https://www.chch.live/river/avon-river-otakaro), waterway · 29.2 km
- [Avon Stream / Haereroa](https://www.chch.livenull), waterway · 0.3 km
- [Avon Stream / Ōrakipaoa](https://www.chch.live/river/avon-stream-orakipaoa), waterway · 1.1 km
- [Ilam Stream](https://www.chch.live/river/ilam-stream), waterway · 2.9 km
- [Okeover Stream](https://www.chch.live/river/okeover-stream), waterway · 1.3 km
- [Waimairi Stream](https://www.chch.live/river/waimairi-stream), waterway · 5.1 km
- [Wairarapa Stream](https://www.chch.live/river/wairarapa-stream), waterway · 5.5 km

The named waterways, bays, headlands, monuments, summits and old sites OpenStreetMap puts inside this outline, a pin is the mapper’s own; a waterway belongs to every suburb it crosses. Every roll, counted: [geography](https://www.chch.live/geography).

## Documents that name it

*These are leads, not verified claims, search ties, not read sources.*
- [Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 26 July 1851)](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18510726.2.2.3), [Papers Past](https://www.chch.live/collection/papers-past) · 1851-07-26T00:00:00.000Z
- [Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 11 December 1852)](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18521211.2.4.3), [Papers Past](https://www.chch.live/collection/papers-past) · 1852-12-11T00:00:00.000Z
- [Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 25 December 1852)](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18521225.2.3.2), [Papers Past](https://www.chch.live/collection/papers-past) · 1852-12-25T00:00:00.000Z
- [Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 01 January 1853)](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18530101.2.3.1), [Papers Past](https://www.chch.live/collection/papers-past) · 1853-01-01T00:00:00.000Z
- [Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 15 January 1853)](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18530115.2.3.2), [Papers Past](https://www.chch.live/collection/papers-past) · 1853-01-15T00:00:00.000Z
- [Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 22 January 1853)](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18530122.2.3.2), [Papers Past](https://www.chch.live/collection/papers-past) · 1853-01-22T00:00:00.000Z
- [Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 29 January 1853)](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18530129.2.3.2), [Papers Past](https://www.chch.live/collection/papers-past) · 1853-01-29T00:00:00.000Z
- [Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 12 February 1853)](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18530212.2.3.3), [Papers Past](https://www.chch.live/collection/papers-past) · 1853-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- [Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 27 May 1854)](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18540527.2.3.3), [Papers Past](https://www.chch.live/collection/papers-past) · 1854-05-27T00:00:00.000Z
- [Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 03 June 1854)](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18540603.2.4.1), [Papers Past](https://www.chch.live/collection/papers-past) · 1854-06-03T00:00:00.000Z

## The wire on Ilam
- [desid spiders seen — Ilam, Christchurch, New Zealand](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/407481931), iNaturalist · seamusmoran, 11 Oct 2026
- [Something seen — Ilam, Christchurch, New Zealand](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/407481930), iNaturalist · seamusmoran, 11 Oct 2026
- [Flower Spiders seen — Clyde Rd near Hinau St, Ilam, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/406934478), iNaturalist · alekscz, 9 Oct 2026
- [Barn Funnel Weaver seen — Grahams Rd near Powell Cres, Ilam, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/406924158), iNaturalist · christiannezakour, 9 Oct 2026
- [Western Earwig seen — Creyke Rd, Ilam, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/406920024), iNaturalist · georgecox, 9 Oct 2026

[The whole wire](https://www.chch.live/wire)

## The crash record (313 injury crashes)

313 crashes that hurt somebody on record inside the suburb’s outline, 2 people killed, 45 seriously hurt.

The corner that keeps appearing: [Memorial Avenue at Ilam Road](https://www.chch.live/crashes/ilam-road-and-memorial-avenue), 16 injury crashes.

- [Every crash it holds](https://www.chch.live/crashes?suburb=ilam)
- [The city’s whole record](https://www.chch.live/crashes)

## The crime record (3,373 recorded victimisations)

3,373 victimisations on the NZ Police record inside the suburb’s outline, September 2022–August 2026, mostly theft, about 82 a year per 1,000 residents. Reported is not all, how much never reaches the record depends on the offence.

- [The suburb on the crime map](https://www.chch.live/crime?grain=suburb&area=ilam)
- [The city’s whole record](https://www.chch.live/crime)

## The buses through it (38 stops)

38 Metro stops inside the suburb’s outline, in ECan’s stop record, served by [route 130](https://www.chch.live/buses/130), [route 3](https://www.chch.live/buses/3), [route 100](https://www.chch.live/buses/100), [route 29](https://www.chch.live/buses/29), [route 120](https://www.chch.live/buses/120), [the Orbiter (anticlockwise)](https://www.chch.live/buses/oa), [the Orbiter (clockwise)](https://www.chch.live/buses/oc).
- Clyde Rd near Arts Rd near Clyde Rd
- Clyde Rd near Arts Rd near Clyde Rd
- Clyde Rd near Hinau St
- Creyke Rd
- Creyke Rd
- Creyke Rd near Barlow St
- Creyke Rd near Clyde Rd
- Dovedale Ave near Lynfield Ave
- Dovedale Ave near Waimairi Rd
- Fendalton
- Grahams Rd near Powell Cres near Grahams Rd
- Grahams Rd near Powell Cres near Grahams Rd
- Grahams Rd near Powell Cres near Grahams Rd
- Ilam Rd near Montana Ave
- Maidstone Rd
- Maidstone Rd

- [Every route in the record](https://www.chch.live/buses)

## Businesses here (93 in the directory)

From OpenStreetMap, the council’s licensed-premises register and its 2024 Find Christchurch directory, each kind opens at this suburb’s shelf.

- [Restaurants](https://www.chch.live/businesses/restaurant#in-ilam), 12
- [Cafés](https://www.chch.live/businesses/cafe#in-ilam), 11
- [Fast food](https://www.chch.live/businesses/fast-food#in-ilam), 9
- [Venues & events](https://www.chch.live/businesses/venue#in-ilam), 4
- [Bars & pubs](https://www.chch.live/businesses/bar#in-ilam), 3
- [Bottle stores](https://www.chch.live/businesses/liquor#in-ilam), 3
- [Dairies & convenience](https://www.chch.live/businesses/dairy#in-ilam), 3
- [Doctors & clinics](https://www.chch.live/businesses/doctor#in-ilam), 3
- [Petrol stations](https://www.chch.live/businesses/fuel#in-ilam), 3
- [Pharmacies](https://www.chch.live/businesses/pharmacy#in-ilam), 3
- [Supermarkets](https://www.chch.live/businesses/supermarket#in-ilam), 3
- [Centre](https://www.chch.live/businesses/healthcare-centre#in-ilam), 2
- [Dry cleaners](https://www.chch.live/businesses/dry-cleaner#in-ilam), 2
- [Galleries](https://www.chch.live/businesses/gallery#in-ilam), 2
- [Research](https://www.chch.live/businesses/office-research#in-ilam), 2
- [Accountants](https://www.chch.live/businesses/accountant#in-ilam), 1
- [ATMs](https://www.chch.live/businesses/atm#in-ilam), 1
- [Audiologists](https://www.chch.live/businesses/audiologist#in-ilam), 1
- [B&Bs](https://www.chch.live/businesses/bnb#in-ilam), 1
- [Bakeries](https://www.chch.live/businesses/bakery#in-ilam), 1
- [Bookshops](https://www.chch.live/businesses/bookshop#in-ilam), 1
- [Butchers](https://www.chch.live/businesses/butcher#in-ilam), 1
- [Car repair](https://www.chch.live/businesses/car-repair#in-ilam), 1
- [Car washes](https://www.chch.live/businesses/car-wash#in-ilam), 1
- [Caterers](https://www.chch.live/businesses/caterer#in-ilam), 1
- [Childcare](https://www.chch.live/businesses/childcare#in-ilam), 1
- [Clothing](https://www.chch.live/businesses/clothes#in-ilam), 1
- [Clubs](https://www.chch.live/businesses/club#in-ilam), 1
- [Electronics Repair](https://www.chch.live/businesses/craft-electronics-repair#in-ilam), 1
- [Florists](https://www.chch.live/businesses/florist#in-ilam), 1
- [Fruit & veg](https://www.chch.live/businesses/greengrocer#in-ilam), 1
- [Gift shops](https://www.chch.live/businesses/gift#in-ilam), 1
- [Hairdressers](https://www.chch.live/businesses/hairdresser#in-ilam), 1
- [Hostels](https://www.chch.live/businesses/hostel#in-ilam), 1
- [Laundromats](https://www.chch.live/businesses/laundromat#in-ilam), 1
- [Motels](https://www.chch.live/businesses/motel#in-ilam), 1
- [Optometrists](https://www.chch.live/businesses/optometrist#in-ilam), 1
- [Post offices](https://www.chch.live/businesses/post-office#in-ilam), 1
- [Real estate](https://www.chch.live/businesses/real-estate#in-ilam), 1
- [Seafood](https://www.chch.live/businesses/seafood#in-ilam), 1
- [University](https://www.chch.live/businesses/office-university#in-ilam), 1

The ones the record says most about:

- [Zyka Indian Cuisine](https://www.chch.live/business/zyka-indian-cuisine-ilam), Restaurants
- [LB & Co Espresso](https://www.chch.live/business/lb-co-espresso-ilam), Cafés
- [Otto](https://www.chch.live/business/otto-ilam), Cafés
- [Shirleys Kitchen](https://www.chch.live/business/shirleys-kitchen-ilam), Restaurants
- [Domino's](https://www.chch.live/business/domino-s-ilam), Fast food
- [Eastern Drycleaners](https://www.chch.live/business/eastern-drycleaners-ilam), Dry cleaners
- [Haere-roa Events Centre](https://www.chch.live/business/haere-roa-events-centre-ilam), Venues & events
- [Ilam Homestead Function Centre](https://www.chch.live/business/ilam-homestead-function-centre-ilam), Venues & events
- [Livingstone Health Medical Centre](https://www.chch.live/business/livingstone-health-medical-centre-ilam), Doctors & clinics
- [Meat@Millers](https://www.chch.live/business/meat-millers-ilam), Butchers

- [The whole directory](https://www.chch.live/businesses)

## Next door
- [Upper Riccarton](https://www.chch.live/upper-riccarton)
- [Avonhead](https://www.chch.live/avonhead)
- [Burnside](https://www.chch.live/burnside)
- [Fendalton](https://www.chch.live/fendalton)
- [Sockburn](https://www.chch.live/sockburn)
- [Bryndwr](https://www.chch.live/bryndwr)

[Compare](https://www.chch.live/compare) Ilam with [Upper Riccarton](https://www.chch.live/compare?a=ilam&b=upper-riccarton) · [Avonhead](https://www.chch.live/compare?a=avonhead&b=ilam) · [Burnside](https://www.chch.live/compare?a=burnside&b=ilam) · [Fendalton](https://www.chch.live/compare?a=fendalton&b=ilam) · [Sockburn](https://www.chch.live/compare?a=ilam&b=sockburn) · [Bryndwr](https://www.chch.live/compare?a=bryndwr&b=ilam), same record, side by side.

## Questions, answered briefly

**What is Ilam?**

Ilam is a suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand, about five kilometres west of the city centre. The public record holds 5,632 council reports for it, the first filed in June 2015.

**How many people live in Ilam?**

10,730 people at the 2023 Census, 2,789 per square kilometre across 3.8 km².

**How many people does the 2023 Census count for Ilam?**

About 10,224 people and 2,673 occupied private households (combined SA2s): grouped from Stats NZ SA1 areas through this site’s suburb join. Indicative, not a LIM.

**What gets reported in Ilam?**

5,632 reports on record, most often roads & footpaths (1,543), rubbish & dumping (1,164), water & drains (1,031). 882 of them in the year to 12 October 2026.

**How many crashes has Ilam had?**

313 injury crashes on the police record inside the suburb’s outline, 2 people killed, 45 seriously hurt. [The suburb’s crashes, mapped →](https://www.chch.live/crashes?suburb=ilam)

**What schools are in Ilam?**

3 schools in the Ministry’s directory, Ilam School, Tuia Burnside Primary School, Westburn Te Kura O Hereora.

Data: https://api.chch.live/suburb?name=Ilam · Reports: https://api.chch.live/reports.rss?suburb=Ilam