# Merivale, Christchurch

4,876 council reports since June 2015, the 30th busiest suburb in the city. 3,886 photographs on record.
5,560 people at the 2023 Census, 2,676 to the square kilometre across 2.1 km².

https://www.chch.live/merivale

## 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

Merivale is a suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand, north of the city centre. Like all suburbs in Christchurch, it has no defined boundaries and is a general area, but for the purposes of statistical analysis only, Statistics New Zealand defines it as being Heaton Street to the north, Papanui Road to the east, Harper and Bealey Avenues to the south and Rossall Street to the west, although Real Estate advertising often will claim residences outside this area, especially St Albans to the east of Papanui Road, as being Merivale due to the perceived desirability of the area. The area directly west of Rossall Street, which is called Holmwood by Statistics New Zealand, is sometimes considered part

Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merivale%2C_Christchurch), 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 **$604 a week** in the April–June 2026 quarter, the middle half $530–$804, across 69 bonds, up 9% on a year ago. That’s about **$54 a week above** the city’s own quarter median of $550. Tenancy Services counts these under the Merivale and Holmwood areas combined, approximately this suburb.
- 1-bedroom house, $612 a week · 39 new bonds
- 3-bedroom house, $935 a week · 15 new bonds
- 2-bedroom house, $593 a week · 12 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 5,340 people and 2,217 occupied private households, grouped from 35 SA1 areas in Holmwood, Merivale. Several statistical areas are combined here, so this is a grouped proxy rather than a count for one suburb boundary.

- Under 15: about 15% (804 people)
- 65 and over: about 21% (1,137 people)
- Born overseas: about 27% of stated birthplace
- European ethnicity: about 84% of ethnicity responses
- Māori ethnicity: about 5% of ethnicity responses
- Pacific Peoples ethnicity: about 2% of ethnicity responses
- Asian ethnicity: about 14% of ethnicity responses
- Households with internet: about 91% of stated households
- Households with two or more vehicles: about 54% of stated households

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 (3,886 on record)
- [3 Rossall St](https://www.chch.live/report/9083763)
- [90 Wairarapa Tce](https://www.chch.live/report/9078681)
- [2 Rhodes St](https://www.chch.live/report/9074338)
- [126 Winchester St](https://www.chch.live/report/9069346)
- [101 Aikmans Rd](https://www.chch.live/report/9051086)
- [2 Wairarapa Terrace, Merivale](https://www.chch.live/report/9047914)

[3,886 photographs on the wall](https://www.chch.live/wall?suburb=merivale)

## The suburb, back then (25 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.*
- [The Avon near Merivale](https://www.chch.live/then/1880s#p-46131366), 1882 · Canterbury Stories
- [Elmwood Normal School War Memorial](https://www.chch.live/then/1920s#p-55292835), 1920 · Canterbury Stories
- [Avon River/Ōtākaro in the Millbrook Reserve](https://www.chch.live/then/1920s#p-52520812), 1928 · Canterbury Stories
- [Bed of ferns](https://www.chch.live/then/1920s#p-52520809), 1928 · Canterbury Stories
- [Bridge made of branches at Millbrook Reserve](https://www.chch.live/then/1920s#p-52520824), 1928 · Canterbury Stories
- [Merivale New Zealand](https://www.chch.live/then/1880s#p-56339098), 1880 · Canterbury Stories
- [Merivale property](https://www.chch.live/then/1880s#p-56339101), 1880 · Canterbury Stories
- [Merivale Football Club players](https://www.chch.live/then/1890s#p-38083463), 1893 · Kura Heritage Collections Online
- [Merivale Football Club players](https://www.chch.live/then/1890s#p-38083464), 1893 · Kura Heritage Collections Online
- [Some Merivale Football Club players](https://www.chch.live/then/1890s#p-38083467), 1893 · Kura Heritage Collections Online

[…and 15 more across the archive](https://www.chch.live/then)

## The record on Merivale
- Merivale enters the written record in 16 July 1853, [“ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THE DISTRICT OF CHRISTCHURCH, July 5th, 1853. (Lyttelton Times, 16 July 1853)”](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18530716.2.12), [Papers Past](https://www.chch.live/collection/papers-past).
- “Merivale” appears somewhere in 1,470 of the archive’s records.
- A Papers Past search for the name surfaced 30 records, leads by provenance.
- The first report here: water supply, 9 June 2015, at 33.
- Its busiest day was 19 July 2023, 34 reports in a single day.
- The street that keeps coming up is [Papanui Road](https://www.chch.live/street/merivale/papanui-road), reported on 444 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 houses the avenues kept](https://www.chch.live/walks/merivale-houses), a heritage walk over this ground.

## How fast the council fixes things here (7,905 finished jobs on record)

The median council work order pinned in Merivale 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.
191 tickets are open here now, the oldest was filed 2 October 2018.

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

**Merivale**, a public drinking ban (seven nights a week from 6pm to 6am), covers about 24% of Merivale.
6 sensitive sites stand here, Elmwood Normal School, Ferndale Te Ahu, He Tīwai Mātauranga Heaton Normal Intermediate, Rangi Ruru Girls' School, Selwyn House School, St Margarets College, 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
- [Rubbish and Bins - General](https://www.chch.live/report/9083763), 13 Oct 2026 · 3 Rossall St, “Public rubbish bin into entrance of millbrook reserve has been full for 2 weeks now. Loads of bags of dog poop and…”
- [General Request](https://www.chch.live/report/9078681), 12 Oct 2026 · 90 Wairarapa Tce, “Chipped and cracked footpath”
- [Overgrown Vegetation](https://www.chch.live/report/9074338), 12 Oct 2026 · 2 Rhodes St, “Triangle of grass has not been mowed for some time, usually done along with the other nearby grass mowed by council…”
- [Pavement - General](https://www.chch.live/report/9069346), 11 Oct 2026 · 126 Winchester St, “Can you request this building company to secure the fencing to this site properly and put something over the damaged…”
- [Hazard, vehicle](https://www.chch.live/report/9051086), 7 Oct 2026 · 101 Aikmans Rd, “This car is parking over our driveway - also, it is a large vehicle parking on a small triangle which is not allowed…”
- [Damaged Street Sign](https://www.chch.live/report/9047914), 7 Oct 2026 · 2 Wairarapa Terrace, “The arrow sigh indicating the required left turn has come off its post.”
- [Roads - General](https://www.chch.live/report/9044535), 6 Oct 2026 · 116 Winchester St, “Please ask that traffic management team who had the signs and lights for the replacement power pole on Office road to…”
- [Water Leak](https://www.chch.live/report/9044512), 6 Oct 2026 · 116 Winchester St, “Water leak please fix thanks”
- [Water Leak](https://www.chch.live/report/9041336), 6 Oct 2026 · 121 Winchester St, “Water leaking”
- [Water Leak](https://www.chch.live/report/9040438), 6 Oct 2026 · 36 Garden Road
- [Trees - General](https://www.chch.live/report/9035627), 5 Oct 2026 · 16 Carlton Mill Rd, “Hi, there is a large tree right on the Avon river, outside the apartments at 18 Carlton Mill Road that is slowly dying…”
- [Hazard, vehicle](https://www.chch.live/report/9031920), 5 Oct 2026 · 126 Winchester St, “Illegal parking”

## Reports per year
- 2015, 44
- 2016, 96
- 2017, 153
- 2018, 204
- 2019, 305
- 2020, 333
- 2021, 525
- 2022, 629
- 2023, 728
- 2024, 651
- 2025, 718

## What gets reported
- Roads & footpaths, 1,364
- Water & drains, 1,059
- [Graffiti & vandalism](https://www.chch.live/problems/graffiti), 1,048
- Trees & parks, 687
- Rubbish & dumping, 382
- Everything else, 165
- Vehicles & parking, 153
- [Animals & pests](https://www.chch.live/problems/animals-pests), 17

## Exactly what people say
- [Graffiti](https://www.chch.live/problems/graffiti), 768
- [Roading/Streets](https://www.chch.live/problems/road-damage), 654
- [Water Leak](https://www.chch.live/problems/water-leaks), 520
- [Parks](https://www.chch.live/problems/parks-maintenance), 222
- [Pavement - Damaged](https://www.chch.live/problems/footpaths), 215
- [Water Supply](https://www.chch.live/problems/water-leaks), 184
- [Overgrown Vegetation](https://www.chch.live/problems/overgrown-vegetation), 162
- [Hazard, vehicle](https://www.chch.live/problems/abandoned-vehicles), 126

## On the heritage register (33)
- [Bridge and Setting](https://www.chch.live/place/101)
- [Carlton Bridge](https://www.chch.live/place/545)
- [Commercial Building and Setting](https://www.chch.live/place/174), 20 Papanui Road
- [Dwelling and Setting](https://www.chch.live/place/99), 70 Heaton Street
- [Dwelling and Setting](https://www.chch.live/place/100), 74 Heaton Street
- [Dwelling and Setting](https://www.chch.live/place/102), 2 Helmores Lane
- [Dwelling and Setting](https://www.chch.live/place/103), 16 Helmores Lane
- [Dwelling and Setting](https://www.chch.live/place/130), 41 Leinster Road
- [Dwelling and Setting](https://www.chch.live/place/131), 61 Leinster Road
- [Dwelling and Setting](https://www.chch.live/place/473), 98 Heaton Street
- [Dwelling and Setting](https://www.chch.live/place/113), 43 Holmwood Road
- [Dwelling and Setting](https://www.chch.live/place/180), 236 Papanui Road
- [Dwelling and Setting](https://www.chch.live/place/185), 122 Park Terrace
- [Dwelling and Setting, Amwell](https://www.chch.live/place/179), 166 Papanui Road
- [Dwelling and Setting, Chippenham Lodge](https://www.chch.live/place/16), 51 Browns Road
- [Dwelling and Setting, Damsels](https://www.chch.live/place/181), 283 Papanui Road
- [Dwelling and Setting, Long Cottage](https://www.chch.live/place/184), 10/142 Rugby Street
- [Dwelling and Setting, Orana](https://www.chch.live/place/178), 146 Papanui Road
- [Dwelling and Setting, Te Wepu](https://www.chch.live/place/48), 122 Papanui Road
- [Dwellings and Setting, Maisonettes](https://www.chch.live/place/304), 12 Bealey Avenue
- [Elmwood Park](https://www.chch.live/place/98)
- [Elmwood School War Memorial and Setting](https://www.chch.live/place/129), 1/76 Leinster Road
- [Former Dwelling and Setting](https://www.chch.live/place/176), 108 Papanui Road
- [Former Dwelling and Setting, Acland House](https://www.chch.live/place/175), 85 Papanui Road
- [Former Dwelling and Setting, Fitzroy](https://www.chch.live/place/148)
- [Former Dwelling and Setting, Te Koroaha](https://www.chch.live/place/107), 59P Hewitts Road
- [Former Dwelling/ School and Setting, Former Rangi Ruru/Roseneath House](https://www.chch.live/place/177), 110 Papanui Road
- [Former St Albans Automatic Telephone Exchange and Setting](https://www.chch.live/place/464), 29 St Albans Street
- [Hagley Park](https://www.chch.live/place/501)
- [Mona Vale Gatehouse and Setting](https://www.chch.live/place/65), 65 Fendalton Road
- [Mona Vale Grounds](https://www.chch.live/place/319)
- [St Andrew's Church and Setting](https://www.chch.live/place/108), 16 Merivale Lane
- [Streets with trees and plaques](https://www.chch.live/place/547)

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

On foot: [The houses the avenues kept](https://www.chch.live/walks/merivale-houses), heritage walk over this ground.

## The streets that keep coming up
- [Papanui Road](https://www.chch.live/street/merivale/papanui-road), reported on 444 separate days
- [Office Road](https://www.chch.live/street/merivale/office-road), reported on 199 separate days
- [Rugby Street](https://www.chch.live/street/merivale/rugby-street), reported on 191 separate days
- [Aikmans Road](https://www.chch.live/street/merivale/aikmans-road), reported on 181 separate days
- [Rossall Street](https://www.chch.live/street/merivale/rossall-street), reported on 179 separate days
- [Carlton Mill Road](https://www.chch.live/street/merivale/carlton-mill-road), reported on 165 separate days
- [Heaton Street](https://www.chch.live/street/merivale/heaton-street), reported on 128 separate days
- [Wroxton Terrace](https://www.chch.live/street/merivale/wroxton-terrace), reported on 121 separate days

## Schools (6)
- [Elmwood Normal School](https://www.chch.live/school/3334-elmwood-normal-school), Contributing · decile 10 · EQI 376
- [Ferndale Te Ahu](https://www.chch.live/school/3339-ferndale-te-ahu), Specialist School · decile 4 · EQI 521
- [He Tīwai Mātauranga Heaton Normal Intermediate](https://www.chch.live/school/3372-he-tiwai-matauranga-heaton-normal-intermediate), Intermediate · decile 9 · EQI 407
- [Rangi Ruru Girls' School](https://www.chch.live/school/325-rangi-ruru-girls-school), Secondary (Year 7-15) · private, not rated
- [Selwyn House School](https://www.chch.live/school/4138-selwyn-house-school), Full Primary · private, not rated
- [St Margaret's College](https://www.chch.live/school/333-st-margaret-s-college), Composite · private, not rated

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) · [Christchurch Adventist School](https://www.chch.live/school/317-christchurch-adventist-school) · [Christchurch Boys' High School](https://www.chch.live/school/327-christchurch-boys-high-school) · [Christchurch Girls' High School -Te Kura o Hine Waiora](https://www.chch.live/school/328-christchurch-girls-high-school-te-kura-o-hine-waiora) · [Elmwood Normal School](https://www.chch.live/school/3334-elmwood-normal-school) · [He Tīwai Mātauranga Heaton Normal Intermediate](https://www.chch.live/school/3372-he-tiwai-matauranga-heaton-normal-intermediate) · and 10 more zones, the drawn zone is indicative; the Ministry’s written scheme is the legal boundary.

## The green here (6)
- [Elmwood Park](https://www.chch.live/park/1128-elmwood-park), Sports ground · 7 ha · playground, 38 pieces
- [Carlton Mill Riverbank](https://www.chch.live/park/1507-carlton-mill-riverbank)
- [Millbrook Reserve](https://www.chch.live/park/1157-millbrook-reserve), Botanic
- [Merivale Reserve](https://www.chch.live/park/1782-merivale-reserve), playground, 7 pieces
- [Clifford Reserve](https://www.chch.live/park/1257-clifford-reserve)
- [Merivale Village Green](https://www.chch.live/park/1081-merivale-village-green)

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

## Where the suburb worships (5)
- [All Souls’ Church (St Mary's Anglican Church)](https://www.chch.live/worship/all-souls-church-st-mary-s-anglican-church), an Anglican church · 30 Church Lane
- [Christchurch Chinese Methodist Church](https://www.chch.live/worship/christchurch-chinese-methodist-church), a Methodist church
- [Christian Science Church & Reading Room](https://www.chch.live/worship/christian-science-church-reading-room), a Christian Science church · 66 Carlton Mill Road
- [Grace Baptist Church](https://www.chch.live/worship/grace-baptist-church), a Baptist church · 125 Heaton Street
- [St Andrew's at Rangi Ruru](https://www.chch.live/worship/st-andrew-s-at-rangi-ruru), a Presbyterian church · 14 Merivale Lane

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

## The tracks through here (10)
- [Walk and bike track through Merivale](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-341-fendalton), 3.1 km · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Merivale](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-387-merivale), 1.7 km · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Merivale](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-472-christchurch-central-city), 918 m · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Merivale](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-487-christchurch-central-city), 787 m · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Merivale](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-377-merivale), 376 m · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Merivale](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-401-merivale), 201 m · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Merivale](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-376-strowan), 187 m · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Merivale](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-405-merivale), 144 m · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Merivale](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-413-merivale), 144 m · walk · bike
- [Walk and bike track through Merivale](https://www.chch.live/track/walk-449-christchurch-central-city), 32 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 48.6% of this outline, about 101 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 2011 grading filed 133.9% of this outline, about 278 hectares, mostly **TC2**, with TC3 90 ha · TC2 188 ha. A category is a verdict for a patch of ground, not a finding about an address; the grades are at [technical-categories](https://www.chch.live/technical-categories).
The flood record drew water over 7.4% of this outline, about 15 hectares, across 2 named events. A patch is one event’s observation, not a live hazard finding; the record is at [floods](https://www.chch.live/floods).
No high-hazard flood area covers this outline. The broader flood-management watch covers **55%** of it, Avon River, Dudley Creek. 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 208 hectares across **1** mapped overlay, 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, **39** classified reaches, the plan calling **Wilkins Drain** and **Cross Stream**
           by name, **4%** of it inside the setback strips, the widest holding **20 m** off the bank, and an esplanade line holds a public edge here. 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, **37%** of it inside the residential overlays, the densest standing **Medium Density**. 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 **1,697** photographs on this ground, 2010–2016, 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, **9.4 km** of cycleway crosses the outline, [Northern Line](https://www.chch.live/cycleway/northern-line). A segment counts under every suburb its path enters; the whole network: [cycleways](https://www.chch.live/cycleways).
The remembered names stand on this ground, **7** inscribed plaques, [Elmwood Park](https://www.chch.live/plaque/112685-elmwood-park), [Millbrook Reserve](https://www.chch.live/plaque/41187-millbrook-reserve), [Merivale Village Green](https://www.chch.live/plaque/41294-merivale-village-green) among the grounds. The plaque is the register’s pin, not a surveyed spot; the whole roll: [plaques](https://www.chch.live/plaques).
The rulebook binds this ground, **20** drawn instruments, 7 of them dog rules, 4 alcohol bans, 1 camping zone, a certified self-contained van can stay the night at Christchurch Urban Restricted Area, 8 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).
**2** parcels inside this outline sit on the hazardous-activities register, mostly cemeteries and waste recycling, treatment and disposal, vehicle refuelling, service and repair, 1 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 **150** parcels of made or characterised ground inside this outline, mostly gravel, pitrun, engineered fill, 2 carry fill the file can’t vouch for. 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).
The 2019 liquefaction study put **68%** of this outline in the **medium** class, and 13 assessed areas here carry the free-face flag for possible lateral spreading. 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 **13** assets on this ground, 7 sets of steps, 3 bridges, 2 shelters, 1 ramp, sited at Elmwood Park, Millbrook Reserve, Merivale Reserve, Carlton Mill Riverbank. **1** entry is out of service on the file. 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 **19** records inside this outline, bookable surfaces for 11 tennis, 3 football, 3 cricket, 1 bowls. 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 **1195** living trees inside this outline, **74** veterans among them, 203 carrying a protection, mostly Pin Oak, Yoshino Cherry, Common Lime. The file remembers **520** 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 **31%** of this outline under **Residential Suburban**, **70%** residential, the rest mostly Medium density residential zone 29%, Transport 15%. 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 **8 hectares** of this outline, **4%** , 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 **1%** of this outline, 2 qualifying matters, mostly 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 **24** places by name in this suburb, **2** graded highly significant, **Former Dwelling and Setting, Te Koroaha**, **St Andrew's Church and Setting**, **Commercial Building 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).

## The names on this ground (6)
- [Water Power - Aquafluere](https://www.chch.live/memorial/water-power-aquafluere), artwork · Phil Price
- [Avon River / Ōtākaro](https://www.chch.live/river/avon-river-otakaro), waterway · 29.2 km
- [Old Carlton Mill water race](https://www.chch.livenull), waterway · 0.6 km
- [Saint Albans Creek](https://www.chch.live/river/saint-albans-creek), waterway · 5.5 km
- [Taylor's Drain](https://www.chch.live/river/taylors-drain), waterway · 1.5 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.*
- [ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THE DISTRICT OF CHRISTCHURCH, July 5th, 1853. (Lyttelton Times, 16 July 1853)](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18530716.2.12), [Papers Past](https://www.chch.live/collection/papers-past) · 1853-07-16T00:00:00.000Z
- [St Andrew's Church (Presbyterian) - List No. 304](https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/304/St%20Andrew's%20Church%20(Presbyterian)), [The New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero](https://www.chch.live/collection/the-new-zealand-heritage-list-rarangi-korero) · 1856-00-00T00:00:00
- [JURY LIST. (Lyttelton Times, 20 February 1856)](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18560220.2.3), [Papers Past](https://www.chch.live/collection/papers-past) · 1856-02-20T00:00:00.000Z
- [Page 9 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 10 February 1858)](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18580210.2.20.4), [Papers Past](https://www.chch.live/collection/papers-past) · 1858-02-10T00:00:00.000Z
- [Page 9 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 10 February 1858)](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18580210.2.20.3), [Papers Past](https://www.chch.live/collection/papers-past) · 1858-02-10T00:00:00.000Z
- [Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 06 June 1860)](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18600606.2.17.4), [Papers Past](https://www.chch.live/collection/papers-past) · 1860-06-06T00:00:00.000Z
- [Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 09 June 1860)](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18600609.2.20.5), [Papers Past](https://www.chch.live/collection/papers-past) · 1860-06-09T00:00:00.000Z
- [Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 09 June 1860)](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18600609.2.20.3), [Papers Past](https://www.chch.live/collection/papers-past) · 1860-06-09T00:00:00.000Z
- [Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 13 June 1860)](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18600613.2.20.3), [Papers Past](https://www.chch.live/collection/papers-past) · 1860-06-13T00:00:00.000Z
- [Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 13 June 1860)](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18600613.2.20.4), [Papers Past](https://www.chch.live/collection/papers-past) · 1860-06-13T00:00:00.000Z

## The wire on Merivale
- [I'm having a quiet night tomorrow and want to make a steak sandwich for dinner but it requires nice bread. Ideally, turkish or ciabatta or something like that. Feel free to provide any bread…](https://www.reddit.com/r/chch/comments/1x0k60a/where_do_i_buy_nice_bread_tomorrow_afternoon/), r/chch · Secret-Plankton-392, 8 Oct 2026
- [Aneuma rubricale seen — Carlton Mill Rd near Hewitts Rd, Merivale, Christchurch 8014, New Zealand](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/406653785), iNaturalist · bythepark, 8 Oct 2026
- [Ray-finned Fishes seen — Rossall St near Rhodes St, Merivale, Christchurch 8014, New Zealand](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/404353518), iNaturalist · bythepark, 29 Sept 2026
- [Camellias seen — Merivale, Christchurch, New Zealand](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/403218520), iNaturalist · heiditaiao, 25 Sept 2026
- [Creeping Woodsorrel seen — Merivale, Christchurch, New Zealand](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/403218519), iNaturalist · heiditaiao, 25 Sept 2026

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

## The crash record (284 injury crashes)

284 crashes that hurt somebody on record inside the suburb’s outline, 58 seriously hurt, nobody killed.

The corner that keeps appearing: [Bealey Avenue at Papanui Road](https://www.chch.live/crashes/bealey-avenue-and-papanui-road), 13 injury crashes.

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

## The crime record (1,909 recorded victimisations)

1,909 victimisations on the NZ Police record inside the suburb’s outline, September 2022–August 2026, mostly theft, about 89 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=merivale)
- [The city’s whole record](https://www.chch.live/crime)

## The buses through it (33 stops)

33 Metro stops inside the suburb’s outline, in ECan’s stop record, served by [route 1](https://www.chch.live/buses/1), [route 8](https://www.chch.live/buses/8), [route 95](https://www.chch.live/buses/95), [route 100](https://www.chch.live/buses/100), [route 17](https://www.chch.live/buses/17).
- Bealey Ave
- Carlton Mill Rd near Cheltenham St
- Carlton Mill Rd near Exeter St
- Carlton Mill Rd near Hewitts Rd
- Carlton Mill Rd near Shrewsbury St
- Heaton Intermediate
- Heaton St
- Heaton St - St Georges
- Heaton St near Glandovey Rd
- Merivale Mall near Papanui Rd
- Merivale Mall near Papanui Rd
- Papanui Rd near Clare Rd
- Papanui Rd near Heaton St
- Papanui Rd near Holly Rd near Papanui Rd
- Papanui Rd near Holly Rd near Papanui Rd
- Papanui Rd near Milford St

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

## Businesses here (192 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-merivale), 25
- [Clothing](https://www.chch.live/businesses/clothes#in-merivale), 23
- [Motels](https://www.chch.live/businesses/motel#in-merivale), 15
- [Cafés](https://www.chch.live/businesses/cafe#in-merivale), 14
- [Fast food](https://www.chch.live/businesses/fast-food#in-merivale), 10
- [Doctors & clinics](https://www.chch.live/businesses/doctor#in-merivale), 7
- [Hotels](https://www.chch.live/businesses/hotel#in-merivale), 7
- [Bars & pubs](https://www.chch.live/businesses/bar#in-merivale), 6
- [Shoes](https://www.chch.live/businesses/shoes#in-merivale), 5
- [Bottle stores](https://www.chch.live/businesses/liquor#in-merivale), 4
- [Real estate](https://www.chch.live/businesses/real-estate#in-merivale), 4
- [Supermarkets](https://www.chch.live/businesses/supermarket#in-merivale), 4
- [Beauty](https://www.chch.live/businesses/beauty#in-merivale), 3
- [Delis](https://www.chch.live/businesses/deli#in-merivale), 3
- [Hairdressers](https://www.chch.live/businesses/hairdresser#in-merivale), 3
- [Jewellery](https://www.chch.live/businesses/jewellery#in-merivale), 3
- [Bakeries](https://www.chch.live/businesses/bakery#in-merivale), 2
- [Bookshops](https://www.chch.live/businesses/bookshop#in-merivale), 2
- [Cinemas & theatres](https://www.chch.live/businesses/cinema#in-merivale), 2
- [Clubs](https://www.chch.live/businesses/club#in-merivale), 2
- [Furniture](https://www.chch.live/businesses/furniture#in-merivale), 2
- [Gift shops](https://www.chch.live/businesses/gift#in-merivale), 2
- [Malls](https://www.chch.live/businesses/mall#in-merivale), 2
- [Pharmacies](https://www.chch.live/businesses/pharmacy#in-merivale), 2
- [Sports centres](https://www.chch.live/businesses/sports-centre#in-merivale), 2
- [Travel agents](https://www.chch.live/businesses/travel-agent#in-merivale), 2
- [Advertising Agency](https://www.chch.live/businesses/office-advertising-agency#in-merivale), 1
- [B&Bs](https://www.chch.live/businesses/bnb#in-merivale), 1
- [Banks](https://www.chch.live/businesses/bank#in-merivale), 1
- [Butchers](https://www.chch.live/businesses/butcher#in-merivale), 1
- [Car washes](https://www.chch.live/businesses/car-wash#in-merivale), 1
- [Cosmetics](https://www.chch.live/businesses/cosmetics#in-merivale), 1
- [Dairies & convenience](https://www.chch.live/businesses/dairy#in-merivale), 1
- [Dentists](https://www.chch.live/businesses/dentist#in-merivale), 1
- [Dry cleaners](https://www.chch.live/businesses/dry-cleaner#in-merivale), 1
- [Electronics Repair](https://www.chch.live/businesses/craft-electronics-repair#in-merivale), 1
- [Financial](https://www.chch.live/businesses/office-financial#in-merivale), 1
- [Galleries](https://www.chch.live/businesses/gallery#in-merivale), 1
- [Gyms & fitness](https://www.chch.live/businesses/gym#in-merivale), 1
- [Hairdresser Supply](https://www.chch.live/businesses/hairdresser-supply#in-merivale), 1
- [Hospital](https://www.chch.live/businesses/amenity-hospital#in-merivale), 1
- [IT & software](https://www.chch.live/businesses/it-services#in-merivale), 1
- [Kitchen](https://www.chch.live/businesses/kitchen#in-merivale), 1
- [Lawyers](https://www.chch.live/businesses/lawyer#in-merivale), 1
- [Optometrists](https://www.chch.live/businesses/optometrist#in-merivale), 1
- [Petrol stations](https://www.chch.live/businesses/fuel#in-merivale), 1
- [Photographers](https://www.chch.live/businesses/photographer#in-merivale), 1
- [Repair](https://www.chch.live/businesses/repair#in-merivale), 1
- [Tailors](https://www.chch.live/businesses/tailor#in-merivale), 1
- [Tattoo & piercing](https://www.chch.live/businesses/tattoo#in-merivale), 1
- [Translator](https://www.chch.live/businesses/office-translator#in-merivale), 1
- [Watchmakers](https://www.chch.live/businesses/watchmaker#in-merivale), 1

The ones the record says most about:

- [Gatherings](https://www.chch.live/business/gatherings-merivale), Restaurants
- [Burger King](https://www.chch.live/business/burger-king-merivale), Fast food
- [Brigittes Restaurant & Bar](https://www.chch.live/business/brigittes-restaurant-bar-merivale), Restaurants
- [Carlton](https://www.chch.live/business/carlton-merivale), Bars & pubs
- [Alexanders Digital Marketing](https://www.chch.live/business/alexanders-digital-marketing-merivale), Advertising Agency
- [Bawarchi Restaurant n Takeaways](https://www.chch.live/business/bawarchi-restaurant-n-takeaways-merivale), Restaurants
- [Cocoa Black](https://www.chch.live/business/cocoa-black-merivale), Cafés
- [Coffee Culture](https://www.chch.live/business/coffee-culture-merivale), Cafés
- [FreshChoice](https://www.chch.live/business/freshchoice-merivale), Supermarkets
- [Indian Zaika](https://www.chch.live/business/indian-zaika-merivale), Restaurants

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

## Next door
- [Strowan](https://www.chch.live/strowan)
- [Saint Albans](https://www.chch.live/saint-albans)
- [Fendalton](https://www.chch.live/fendalton)
- [Christchurch Central City](https://www.chch.live/christchurch-central-city)
- [Riccarton](https://www.chch.live/riccarton)
- [Edgeware](https://www.chch.live/edgeware)

[Compare](https://www.chch.live/compare) Merivale with [Strowan](https://www.chch.live/compare?a=merivale&b=strowan) · [Saint Albans](https://www.chch.live/compare?a=merivale&b=saint-albans) · [Fendalton](https://www.chch.live/compare?a=fendalton&b=merivale) · [Christchurch Central City](https://www.chch.live/compare?a=christchurch-central-city&b=merivale) · [Riccarton](https://www.chch.live/compare?a=merivale&b=riccarton) · [Edgeware](https://www.chch.live/compare?a=edgeware&b=merivale), same record, side by side.

## Questions, answered briefly

**What is Merivale?**

Merivale is a suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand, north of the city centre. The public record holds 4,876 council reports for it, the first filed in June 2015.

**How many people live in Merivale?**

5,560 people at the 2023 Census, 2,676 per square kilometre across 2.1 km².

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

About 5,340 people and 2,217 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 Merivale?**

4,876 reports on record, most often roads & footpaths (1,364), water & drains (1,059), graffiti & vandalism (1,048). 604 of them in the year to 13 October 2026.

**How many crashes has Merivale had?**

284 injury crashes on the police record inside the suburb’s outline, 58 seriously hurt, nobody killed. [The suburb’s crashes, mapped →](https://www.chch.live/crashes?suburb=merivale)

**What schools are in Merivale?**

6 schools in the Ministry’s directory, Elmwood Normal School, Ferndale Te Ahu, He Tīwai Mātauranga Heaton Normal Intermediate, and 3 more.

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