Bird Species Introduced to Canterbury – 10th January 1867

On 10 January 1867, bird species such as pheasant, blackbirds, thrushes and starlings were introduced to Canterbury. The Canterbury Acclimatisation Society had formed just four year before and the releasing of the above species coincided with a similar release made by Auckland’s Acclimatisation Society. Sadly, at this time, no research or science was conducted before …

Brown Trout Released Into Avon -1867

Due to the efforts of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, Brown Trout ova were introduced into the Avon River in 1867. This first hatchery was located in the Botanic Gardens, not far from the new Christchurch Women’s Hospital. The release was a great success, hundreds of trout encouraging all types of fishermen to the banks …

South Island’s First Maori Mission Church Gives Canterbury Its First Spire – 1867

When the Rev. James West Stack took up his post as the leading missionary of Canterbury’s ‘Maori Mission’ in 1859, he came across a very fragmented and weary Ngai Tahu.  The memories of the deadly raids of the North Island’s Ngati Toa Chief, Te Rauparaha, during the late 1820’s weren’t even close to being forgotten.  …

Hagley Park Began To Take Shape – 1867

With the employment of the city’s first full time gardener, Enoch Barker in 1867, the Christchurch Botanical Gardens and namely, Hagley Park began to really take shape. The trees that border Hagley Park, along the side of our main avenues, were planted by him. Before Hagley grew and developed into what we know today, the …