The archives preserve the corporate memory of our council, protecting our history to inspire our future.

The Christchurch City Council Archives will be closed from 21 December 2024 to 6 January 2025.

Our records date back to when the Council was first established in 1862 and include records from amalgamated local authorities.

These records have been assessed as having continuing value to aid accountability and promote our city's historical and cultural heritage. 

Records held within our collection include: 

  • Minute books 
  • Correspondence 
  • Cemetery records 
  • Former local authority records 
  • Christchurch City Council photographs 
  • Dwellings 
  • Local Government electoral rolls 
  • Parks and reserves 
     

Visiting the archives 

The Christchurch City Council Archives are housed at Iron Mountain, a large international business records and archives storage facility that supports many large public and private organisations. Iron Mountain is located at 3 George Bellew Drive, Russley. 

Get directions to Iron Mountain on Google Maps(external link).

Access to the collection is by appointment, please contact: archives@ccc.govt.nz

Please note that there may be limitations placed on some parts of the collection due to restricted content or extreme fragility of the items.

Searching the archives

The archives of Christchurch City Council are searchable online via ArchivesSpace, a shared platform with Christchurch City Libraries and Christchurch Art Gallery.

You can search the collection online at  Repositories List | Christchurch ArchivesSpace (canterburystories.nz)(external link).

The development of this catalogue is ongoing and further content will be added.

Contact the Archives with your research requests and other questions about the collection at archives@ccc.govt.nz.