Christchurch Heritage Festival (Heritage Week) is on its way, and we’re pleased to announce that this year’s theme is Encounter Our Stories as we bring together a wide range of community events and activities from 7–28 October.

Encounter our storiesThe theme ties in with the Tuia – Encounters 250 commemorations taking place around the country this year, marking 250 years since the first meetings between Māori and Europeans on the shores of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Here in Ōtautahi/Christchurch and Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū/Banks Peninsula we have many stories, from Ngāi Tahu, the European settlers, Pasifika and people of many ethnic and cultural backgrounds who have made the city home. 

The Christchurch Heritage Festival is an opportunity to share the stories of the past that link us to this place. He tātai muka, he tātai tangata – weave together the strands, weave together the people.

Get involved

We’re reaching out to community groups, businesses and individuals - anyone who may have a great idea for a festival event.

We’d love you to join us at a community meeting – it’s an opportunity to share ideas, ask questions and to consider how you might like to be involved.

Join us at the Christchurch Heritage Festival community meeting:

  • Tuesday 7 May, 5pm to 6pm
  • Christchurch City Council Te Hononga Civic Building, 53 Hereford Street. 

Enter from Hereford Street and go up to the Function Room on the first floor next to the café. 

We welcome everyone's applications to take part in this year’s Christchurch Heritage Festival. Online applications open here from 8 May. 

To get in touch with us please email heritage@ccc.govt.nz

Beca Heritage Week 2018

It was fantastic to see so many heritage events running across the city, Banks Peninsula and Selwyn during Beca Heritage Week 2018. 

For an overview of last year's festival see the Beca Heritage Week 2018 event summary [PDF, 5 MB].