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1000
Moa hunters arrived in Canterbury
Moa hunters arrived in Canterbury and cleared a large area of forests. By 1450 all Moa was killed off. -
1500
Ngai Tahu arrives in Canterbury
The North Island tribe of Ngai Tahu arrives in Canterbury, the moa hunters that were left were either killed or taken into the tribe. -
Captain Cook sighted in the Canterbury Peninsula
He thought it was an island, and named it Banks Island after the Endeavour's ship botanist. (now known as Banks Peninsula) -
Europeans set foot on Canterbury soil.
The first time Europeans walk on Canterbury soil was the crew of the sealing ship, Governer Blight, where they named the harbour, Port Cooper. (Now known as Lyttelton Harbour) -
Captain George Hempelman lands at Banks Peninsula
There he set up a whaling station on-shore in Peraki. -
Major Thomas Bunbury arrrives on the HMS Herald
He arrived to collect signatures for the Treaty of Waitangi, during his visit only 2 chiefs of Ngai Tahu signed it. -
The Deans, Manson and Gebbie families build the first house in Canterbury
They built the first house on the Canterbury Plains, in Riccarton which they named after the parish they came from in Scotland. They later moved away to start their own farms. -
Canterbury Settlement planned
John Robert Godley and Edward Gibbon Wakefield planned out the Canterbury European settlement, using the funds from selling settlers land to build resources. -
Canterbury Association formed
The Canterbury Association was formed then it was decided to name Christchurch after the university John Godley had attended in England. -
Kemp's Deed signed
Sixteen Ngai Tahu chiefs signed 'Kemp's Deed' selling part of their land to Governor Grey for the new settlement. Some land was kept aside for hunting but this was mixed up as the maps where differed. -
Captain Joseph Thomas sent to survey Canterbury settlement
Captain Thomas built a jetty, custom houses and barracks for accommodation. John Godley and his family had arrived with his family on the Lady Nugent ship. -
First school opened
The first school in Canterbury was opened by Reverend Henry Jacobs -
Canterbury became a province
New Zealand was divided into six provinces, including Canterbury. -
First Superintendent elected
James Edward Fitzgerald elected Canterbury superintendent -
Christchurch declared a city
Christchurch was declared a city. -
Christchurch Hospital opened
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John Robert Godley Statue erected
The first statue in NZ -
Lyttelton Tunnel opened
Opened as NZ's first rail tunnel -
Canterbury Museum built
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Earthquake damaged spire of Cathedral
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Christchurch becomes first to have underground sewer system
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Christchurch Cathedral finished