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Cultural history of Christchurch

The M�ori name for Christchurch is Ōtautahi, derived from Tautahi the son of (Ng�i Tahu chief) Huikai of Port Levy. He built his settlement on the banks of the Otakaro Avon River, which would serve as a centre for political and economic activity.

Ng�i Tahu are the M�ori people of the southern islands of New Zealand - Te Waipounamu. Ng�i Tahu means “people of Tahu� and all Ng�i Tahu descendants can trace their ancestry back to the tribe’s founder Tahu P�tiki.

Ōtautahi Christchurch is of special cultural and historical significance to Ng�i Tahu. Prior to European settlement, Ng�i Tahu, and before them Ng�ti M�moe and Waitaha, maintained numerous k�inga and p� (habitation sites) within the Greater Christchurch area.

From these settlements, Ng�i Tahu gathered and utilised the plentiful natural resources from the network of springs, waterways, wetlands, grasslands and forests that were abundant along the Ōp�waho (Heathcote) and Ōtakaro (Avon) rivers and around Te Ihutai (Avon-Heathcote Estuary).

An important role in Ng�i Tahu history belongs to the hapu of Ng�i Tū�huriri. Te Ng�i Tū�huriri Rūnanga is nearby where the famous Kaiapoi P� was established by the first Ng�i Tahu ancestors when they settled in the South Island. Kaiapoi P� was the major capital, trading centre and point from which further exploration and travel of the South Island occurred so the area is a genealogical centre for all Ng�i Tahu descendants.

Ōtautahi has a rich history and holds many layers of untold stories of settler culture. It is important for us to recognise, embrace and acknowledge our M�ori history and look ahead to our shared future. The future being one that recognises the heritage and the mana whenua of Ng�i Tahu and Ng�i Tū�huriri.

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Tourism

ClickÌýÌýfor information on ÅŒtautahi I Christchurch to plan your visit.

See and hear how stories of mana whenua have been woven into the rebuild of ÅŒtautahi ChristchurchÌý.