View source for Canterbury Region

{{Short description|Region of New Zealand}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=June 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Canterbury
| official_name      = 
| native_name        = {{native name|mi|Waitaha}}
| settlement_type    = [[Regions of New Zealand|Region]]
| nickname           = 
| motto              = 
| image_map          = {{New Zealand region map|Canterbury|250px}}
| map_caption        = Canterbury Region in New Zealand
| coordinates        = {{Coord|-43.6|172.0|type:adm1st_region:NZ-CAN|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = New Zealand
| subdivision_type1  = Island
| subdivision_name1  = [[South Island]]
| established_title  = Established
| established_date   = 1989
| seat               = [[Christchurch]]
| parts_type         = [[Territorial authorities of New Zealand|Territorial authorities]]
| parts_style        = list
| p1                 = [[Kaikōura District]]
| p2                 = [[Hurunui District]]
| p3                 = [[Selwyn District]]
| p4                 = [[Waimakariri District]]
| p5                 = [[Christchurch|Christchurch City]]
| p6                 = [[Ashburton, New Zealand|Ashburton District]]
| p7                 = [[Mackenzie District]]
| p8                 = [[Timaru District]]
| p9                 = [[Waimate District]]
| p10                = [[Waitaki District]] (59.61%)
| governing_body     = [[Environment Canterbury|Canterbury Regional Council]]
| leader_title       = Chair
| leader_name        = [[Craig Pauling]]
| leader_title1      = Deputy Chair
| leader_name1       = [[Deon Swiggs]]
| total_type         = Region
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="Area"/>
| area_land_km2      = 44503.60
| population_footnotes = {{NZ population data 2018||||y}}
| population_total   = {{NZ population data 2018|Canterbury region|y}}
| population_as_of   = {{NZ population data 2018|||y}}
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym = Cantabrian
| demographics_type2 = GDP
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web |date=24 March 2023 |title=Regional gross domestic product: Year ended March 2022 |url=https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/regional-gross-domestic-product-year-ended-march-2022/ |access-date=4 April 2023 |publisher=[[Statistics New Zealand]]}}</ref>
| demographics2_title1 = Total
| demographics2_info1 = [[New Zealand dollar|NZ$]]44.032 billion (2021) ([[List of regions of New Zealand by GDP|2nd]])
| demographics2_title2 = Per capita
| demographics2_info2 = NZ$67,400 (2021)
| timezone           = [[NZST]]
| utc_offset         = +12
| timezone_DST       = NZDT
| utc_offset_DST     = +13
| iso_code           = NZ-CAN
| blank_name_sec1    = [[Human Development Index|HDI]] (2023)
| blank_info_sec1    = 0.941<ref name="GlobalDataLab">{{Cite web|url=https://globaldatalab.org/shdi/table/shdi/NZL/?levels=1+4&interpolation=0&extrapolation=0|title=Sub-national HDI – Area Database – Global Data Lab|website=hdi.globaldatalab.org|language=en|access-date=15 November 2025}}</ref><br />{{color|#090|very high}} · [[List of regions of New Zealand by Human Development Index|3rd]]
| website            = 
| image_shield       = 
}}
[[File:2023 NZ Census Population Density - Canterbury Region.png|thumb|right|220px| A map showing population density in the Canterbury Region at the 2023 census]]

'''Canterbury''' ({{langx|mi|Waitaha}}) is a [[Regions of New Zealand|region]] of New Zealand, located in the central-eastern [[South Island]]. The region covers an area of {{convert|44503.88|km2}}, making it the largest region in the country by area. It is home to a population of {{NZ population data 2018|Canterbury region|y|y|y|(|).}}

The region in its current form was established in 1989 during nationwide local government reforms. The [[Kaikōura District]] joined the region in 1992 following the abolition of the Nelson-Marlborough Regional Council.

[[Christchurch]], the South Island's largest city and the country's second-largest urban area, is the seat of the region and home to {{Rnd|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Christchurch|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Canterbury region|y}}|R}}*100|0}} percent of the region's population. Other major towns and cities include [[Timaru]], [[Ashburton, New Zealand|Ashburton]], [[Rangiora]] and [[Rolleston, New Zealand|Rolleston]].

== History ==
{{Main|History of Canterbury Region}}

=== Natural history ===
{{unreferenced section|date=May 2021}}
The land, water, flora, and fauna of Canterbury has a long history, stretching from creation of the greywacke basement rocks that make up the [[Southern Alps]] to the arrival of the first humans. This history is linked to the solidification and development of tectonic plates, the development of oceans and then life itself.

The region is a part of the larger [[Zealandia]] continent, itself a part of the larger Australian and Pacific tectonic plates. In the first instance, the land is based upon the constructive tectonic forces of this convergent and transformational tectonic plate boundary. In the second instance, the erosive forces of rain, snow, ice, and rock grinding against rock have developed large gravel fans that extend out from the mountains. In the third instance, there is volcanism punching through the basement rocks and blanket of sediments to the surface. Upon this solid foundation, and slowly over the billions of years, life made up of a countless generations of interconnected adaptations developed into the unique flora and fauna of Aotearoa/New Zealand. The remnants populations of these unique species are visible today in the publicly protected conservation lands.

The species of Waitaha/Canterbury were adapted to the climate and geography that traverses inland from the coastline to the highest peaks, and from the warmer climes in the north to the colder in the south.

===Before European settlement===
{{unreferenced section|date=May 2021}}
Canterbury has been populated by a succession of [[Māori people]]s over the centuries. When European settlers arrived, it was occupied by [[Ngāi Tahu]], whose numbers had been greatly reduced by warfare, among themselves and with [[Te Rauparaha]] and his [[Ngāti Toa]] from the North Island, in the early 19th century.

=== Colonisation  ===
In 1848, [[Edward Gibbon Wakefield]], a Briton, and [[John Robert Godley]], an [[Anglo-Irish]] aristocrat, founded the [[Canterbury Association]] to establish an [[Church of England|Anglican]] colony in the [[South Island]]. The colony was based upon theories developed by Wakefield while in prison for eloping with a woman not-of-age. Due to ties to the [[University of Oxford]], the Canterbury Association succeeded in raising sufficient funds and recruiting middle-class and upper-class settlers.<ref name="frontierofdreams">John Parker, ''Frontier of Dreams: From Treaty to Nationhood (1830–1913)'', Auckland, NZ: Scholastic (NZ) Ltd, 2005 ({{ISBN|978-1-86943-681-0}}), pp. 58–59</ref> In April 1850, a preliminary group led by Godley landed at Port Cooper – modern-day [[Lyttelton Harbour / Whakaraupō]]<ref>{{LINZ|id=7354|name=Lyttelton Harbour / Whakaraupō|access-date=21 October 2021}}</ref> – and established a port, housing and shops in preparation for the main body of settlers. In December 1850, the first wave of 750 settlers arrived at Lyttelton in a [[First Four Ships|fleet of four ships]].<ref name="frontierofdreams" />

Following 1850, the province's economy developed with the introduction of sheep farming. The Canterbury Region's tussock plains in particular were suitable for extensive sheep farming. Since they were highly valued by settlers for their meat and wool, there were over half a million sheep in the region by the early 1850s. By the 1860s, this figure had risen to three million.<ref name="frontierofdreams" /> During this period, the architect [[Benjamin Mountfort]] designed many civic and ecclesiastical buildings in the [[Gothic Revival architecture|Gothic Revival]] style.

===Canterbury Province===
{{Main|Canterbury Province}}
The [[Canterbury Province]] was formed in 1853 following the passing of the [[New Zealand Constitution Act 1852]]. It was formed from part of [[New Munster Province]] and covered the middle part of the South Island, stretching from the east coast to the west coast. The province was abolished, along with other provinces of New Zealand, when the Abolition of the Provinces Act came into force on 1 November 1876.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Zealand provinces 1848–77 |url=http://rulers.org/newzprov.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203020514/https://rulers.org/newzprov.html |archive-date=February 3, 2012 |website=rulers.org}}</ref> The modern Canterbury Region has slightly different boundaries{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}, particularly in the north, where it includes some districts from the [[Nelson Province]].

=== 2010–2011 earthquakes ===

==== September 2010 ====
[[File:Worcester corner Manchester.jpg|thumb|Building damage in [[Worcester Street, Christchurch|Worcester Street]], corner Manchester Street, with [[ChristChurch Cathedral, Christchurch|ChristChurch Cathedral]] in the background (September 2010)]]
{{main|2010 Canterbury earthquake}}

A [[Moment magnitude scale|magnitude]] 7.1 earthquake occurred in the region on Saturday 4 September 2010, at 04:35&nbsp;am.<ref>{{citation
 |url= http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/55956/strong-quake-hits-near-christchurch
 |title=Strong quake hits near Christchurch
 |publisher=Radio New Zealand
 |date=4 September 2010
}}</ref> The epicentre was located {{convert|40|km|mi}} west of Christchurch; {{convert|10|km|mi}} south-east of [[Darfield, New Zealand|Darfield]],<ref name="GeoNet">{{Cite web |date=4 September 2010 |title=New Zealand earthquake report – Sep&nbsp;4&nbsp;2010 at 4:35&nbsp;am (NZST) |url= http://www.geonet.org.nz/earthquake/quakes/3366146g.html |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100905223314/http://www.geonet.org.nz/earthquake/quakes/3366146g.html |archive-date=5 September 2010 |access-date=6 September 2010 |work=[[GeoNet (New Zealand)|GeoNet]] |publisher=[[Earthquake Commission]] and [[GNS Science]]}}</ref> and had a depth of {{convert|10|km|mi}}. The earthquake caused widespread damage to buildings and power outages, but no direct fatalities. Sewers were damaged, gas and water lines were broken, and power to up to 75% of the city was disrupted. Christchurch residents reported chimneys falling in through roofs, cracked ceilings and collapsed brick walls.<ref>{{citation
 |url         = http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4094986/Massive-7-4-quake-hits-South-Island
 |title       = Massive 7.4 quake hits South Island
 |work        = Stuff
 |location    = New Zealand
 |date        = 4 September 2010
|url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20100906143324/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4094986/Massive-7-4-quake-hits-South-Island
 |archive-date = 6 September 2010
}}</ref>

A local [[state of emergency]] was declared at 10:16&nbsp;am on 4 September for the city, and evacuations of parts were planned to begin later in the day.<ref name="nz10671050">{{Cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/natural-disasters/news/article.cfm?c_id=68&objectid=10671050 |title=Latest News: Christchurch earthquake|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=4 September 2010|date=5 September 2010}}</ref> People inside the Christchurch city centre were evacuated, and the city's central business district remained closed until 5 September.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Central Christchurch to be evacuated after quake|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/christchurch-earthquake/55956/central-christchurch-to-be-evacuated-after-quake|publisher=[[Radio New Zealand]] |access-date=4 September 2010|date=4 September 2010}}</ref> A curfew from 7&nbsp;pm on 4 September to 7&nbsp;am on 5 September was put in place.<ref name="curfew">{{Cite web |title=Weather the next threat after earthquake |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/4094986/Officers-flown-in-to-protect-Christchurch |date=4 September 2010 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |location=New Zealand |access-date=15 July 2024 }}</ref> The [[New Zealand Army]] was deployed to assist police and enforce the curfew.

There were 63 reported aftershocks in the first 48 hours, with three registering 5.2 magnitude. The total insurance costs of the event were estimated as up to $11&nbsp;billion, according to the New Zealand Treasury.<ref name="Quake Cost">{{Cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/canterbury-earthquake/4105730/Quake-Canterbury-shaken-by-270-aftershocks|title=Canterbury shaken by 240 aftershocks |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |location=New Zealand |date=8 September 2010|access-date=8 September 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Multiple fatalities in New Zealand earthquake near Christchurch |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/large-quake-hits-new-zealand/story-e6freuy9-1226009964751|work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK |access-date=22 February 2011|date=22 February 2011}}</ref>

==== February 2011 ====
{{main|February 2011 Christchurch earthquake}}
[[File:Cathedral Square 2402.jpg|thumb|[[ChristChurch Cathedral]] showing the effects of the February 2011 earthquake (tower under demolition)]]
A large aftershock of magnitude 6.3 occurred on {{Nowrap|22 February 2011}} at 12:51&nbsp;pm. It was centred just to the north of Lyttelton, 10 kilometres south-east of Christchurch, at a depth of 5&nbsp;km.<ref name="GeoNet6.3">{{Cite web
 |title       = New Zealand Earthquake Report – Feb&nbsp;22, 2011 at 12:51&nbsp;pm (NZDT)
 |work        = [[GeoNet (New Zealand)|GeoNet]]
 |publisher   = [[Earthquake Commission]] and [[GNS Science]]
 |url         = http://www.geonet.org.nz/earthquake/quakes/3468575g.html
 |date        = 22 February 2011
|access-date  = 22 February 2011
|url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110223092531/http://www.geonet.org.nz/earthquake/quakes/3468575g.html
 |archive-date = 23 February 2011
}}</ref>
Although lower on the [[moment magnitude scale]] than the quake of September 2010, the intensity and violence of the ground shaking was measured to be VIII on the [[Mercalli intensity scale|MMI]], which is among the strongest ever recorded globally in an urban area due to the shallowness and proximity of the epicentre.<ref>{{cite news
|url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/4714748/Building-code-no-match-for-earthquake 
|title=Building code no match for earthquake
|first=Andrea |last=Fox 
|work=[[The Dominion Post (Wellington)|The Dominion Post]] 
|date=1 March 2011 |access-date=11 July 2011}}</ref>

The quake struck on a busy weekday afternoon. This, along with the strength of the quakes, and the proximity to the city centre, resulted in 181 deaths.<ref>{{cite web 
|url= http://www.police.govt.nz/list-deceased 
|title=List of deceased
|work=New Zealand Police |date=1 June 2011 |access-date=11 July 2011}}</ref> Many buildings and landmarks were severely damaged, including the iconic [[Rapanui Rock|Shag Rock]] and [[ChristChurch Cathedral, Christchurch|Christchurch Cathedral]]. New Zealand's first National State of Emergency was promptly declared.

==== June 2011 ====
{{main|June 2011 Christchurch earthquake}}
On 13 June 2011 at about 1:00&nbsp;pm New Zealand time, Christchurch was rocked by a magnitude 5.7 quake, followed by a magnitude 6.3 quake at 2:20&nbsp;pm, centred in a similar location to that of the February quake with a depth of 6.0 kilometres. Dozens of aftershocks occurred over the following days, including several over magnitude 4.

Phone lines and power were lost in some suburbs, and liquefaction surfaced mainly in the eastern areas of the city which were worst affected following the aftershocks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.starcanterbury.co.nz/local/news/christchurch-aftershocks-hard-hit-east-residents-t/3955642/ |title=Christchurch aftershocks: Hard-hit east residents three times unlucky &#124; Canterbury News &#124; Local News in Canterbury |access-date=21 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120919032216/http://www.starcanterbury.co.nz/local/news/christchurch-aftershocks-hard-hit-east-residents-t/3955642/ |archive-date=19 September 2012 }} Christchurch aftershocks: Hard-hit east residents three times unlucky</ref> Many residents in and around the hillside suburb of Sumner self-evacuated.<ref name="Stuff.co.nz_4730721">{{cite web |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-earthquake/4730721/Christchurch-earthquake-Latest-information-Friday |title=Christchurch earthquake: Latest information – Friday |date=4 March 2011 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |access-date=3 October 2011}}</ref> Further damage was reported to buildings inside the cordoned central business district, with an estimate of 75 additional buildings needing demolition.<ref name="Stuff.co.nz_5139229">{{cite web |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch-earthquake-2011/5139229/Thousands-of-homes-need-to-go |title=Thousands of homes need to go |date=14 June 2011 |work=[[The Press]] |access-date=3 October 2011}}</ref> Among the buildings further damaged was the Christchurch Cathedral, which lost its iconic [[rose window]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=NZ Top NZ News Stories from NZCity |url=https://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322160935/http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=132093&cat=1012&fm=newsarticle%20-%20National,nur |archive-date=March 22, 2012 |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=home.nzcity.co.nz}}</ref><ref>[https://www.anglicantaonga.org.nz/news/common_life/cathedral_loses_rose_window Cathedral loses rose window]. Anglican Taonga.</ref> There was one death and multiple injuries.

== Geography ==
[[File:00_1814_Mount_Cook_-_NZ_Southern_Alps.jpg|thumb|[[Aoraki / Mount Cook]], the highest elevation in New Zealand is located inland of the Canterbury region]]

{{main|Geology of the Canterbury Region}}
The area administered by the Canterbury Regional Council consists of all the river catchments on the east coast of the South Island from that of the [[Waiau Toa / Clarence River]], north of [[Kaikōura]], to that of the [[Waitaki River]], in South Canterbury. It is New Zealand's largest region by area, with an area of 45,346&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>.

Canterbury was formerly bounded in the north by the [[Conway River, New Zealand|Conway River]], to the west by the [[Southern Alps]], and to the south by the [[Waitaki River]]. The area is commonly divided into North Canterbury (north of the [[Rakaia River]] to the Conway River), [[Mid Canterbury]] (from the Rakaia River to the [[Rangitata River]]), [[South Canterbury]] (south of the Rangitata River to the Waitaki River) and [[Christchurch]] City.

==Climate==
{{Weather box
| location = Canterbury
| metric first = Yes
| single line = Yes
| width = 
| Jan record high C = 40.2
| Feb record high C = 42.4
| Mar record high C = 36.0
| Apr record high C = 30.2
| May record high C = 29.7
| Jun record high C = 24.8
| Jul record high C = 24.1
| Aug record high C = 26.3
| Sep record high C = 30.0
| Oct record high C = 32.0
| Nov record high C = 36.2
| Dec record high C = 36.1
| year record high C = 42.4
| Jan high C = 21.7
| Feb high C = 21.4
| Mar high C = 19.5
| Apr high C = 16.5
| May high C = 13.1
| Jun high C = 10.3
| Jul high C = 9.5
| Aug high C = 11.0
| Sep high C = 13.8
| Oct high C = 15.9
| Nov high C = 17.9
| Dec high C = 19.9
| year high C = 15.9
| Jan mean C = 16.0
| Feb mean C = 15.8
| Mar mean C = 14.0
| Apr mean C = 11.1
| May mean C = 8.1
| Jun mean C = 5.5
| Jul mean C = 4.8
| Aug mean C = 6.2
| Sep mean C = 8.5
| Oct mean C = 10.5
| Nov mean C = 12.4
| Dec mean C = 14.5
| year mean C = 10.6
| Jan low C = 10.3
| Feb low C = 10.2
| Mar low C = 8.6
| Apr low C = 5.8
| May low C = 3.2
| Jun low C = 0.8
| Jul low C = 0.2
| Aug low C = 1.4
| Sep low C = 3.3
| Oct low C = 5.2
| Nov low C = 7.0
| Dec low C = 9.1
| year low C = 5.4
| Jan record low C = -2.3
| Feb record low C = -0.8
| Mar record low C = -4.4
| Apr record low C = -5.3
| May record low C = -7.2
| Jun record low C = -21.0
| Jul record low C = -21.0
| Aug record low C = -11.4
| Sep record low C = -8.0
| Oct record low C = -7.6
| Nov record low C = -5.9
| Dec record low C = -4.2
| year record low C = -21.0
| source 1 = Weatherbase<ref name= Weatherbase>
  {{cite web
  |url = https://www.weatherbase.com/
  |title = Weatherbase
  |publisher = CantyMedia
  |access-date = 21 March 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
Canterbury Region covers {{Convert|44503.60|km2||abbr=on}}.<ref name="Area">{{Cite web|title=ArcGIS Web Application|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787| access-date=9 February 2024|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com}}</ref> [[Statistics New Zealand]] estimates the population of Canterbury is {{NZ population data 2018|Canterbury region|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|3=y}}, which gives a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Canterbury region|y}}|R}}/44503.60|1}} people per km<sup>2</sup>. The region is home to {{Rnd|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Canterbury region|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|New Zealand|y}}|R}}*100|1}}% of New Zealand's population.{{NZ population data 2018||||y}}

{{Historical populations
|1991|438,171
|1996|468,039
|2001|481,431
|2006|521,832
|2013|539,433
|2018|599,694
|2023|651,027
|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.stats.govt.nz/Census/2001-census-data/2001-census-regional-summary.aspx|title=2001 Census: Regional summary|website=archive.stats.govt.nz|language=en-nz|access-date=28 April 2020|archive-date=29 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929211821/http://archive.stats.govt.nz/Census/2001-census-data/2001-census-regional-summary.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Census 2023"/>}}
Canterbury Region had a population of 651,027 in the [[2023 New Zealand census]], an increase of 51,333 people (8.6%) since the [[2018 New Zealand census|2018 census]], and an increase of 111,594 people (20.7%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]]. There were 322,038 males, 326,082 females and 2,907 people of [[non-binary gender|other genders]] in 251,661 dwellings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.13.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}}</ref> 3.7% of people identified as [[LGBTQ|LGBTIQ+]]. The median age was 39.1 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 113,751 people (17.5%) aged under 15 years, 125,919 (19.3%) aged 15 to 29, 297,834 (45.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 113,520 (17.4%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

Of those at least 15 years old, 101,367 (18.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 279,984 (52.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 124,818 (23.2%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $41,400, compared with $41,500 nationally. 57,885 people (10.8%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 274,113 (51.0%) people were employed full-time, 79,245 (14.7%) were part-time, and 12,546 (2.3%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2023">{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.13.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Canterbury Region (13)}}</ref>

===Urban areas===
{{Largest cities
| country     = Canterbury
| stat_ref    = Statistics New Zealand {{NZ population data 2018|||y}} estimate<ref name="NZ_population_data_2018" />
| div_name    = Territorial authority
| div_link    =

| city_1 = Christchurch | div_1 = Christchurch{{!}}Christchurch City | pop_1 = {{NZ population data 2018|Christchurch|y}} | city_2 = Rolleston, New Zealand{{!}}Rolleston | div_2 = Selwyn District  | pop_2 = {{NZ population data 2018|Rolleston|y}} | city_3 = Timaru | div_3 = Timaru District | pop_3 = {{NZ population data 2018|Timaru|y}} | city_4 = Ashburton, New Zealand{{!}}Ashburton | div_4 = Ashburton District | pop_4 = {{NZ population data 2018|Ashburton|y}} | city_5 = Rangiora | div_5 = Waimakariri District | pop_5 = {{NZ population data 2018|Rangiora|y}}
| city_6 = Kaiapoi | div_6 = Waimakariri District | pop_6 = {{NZ population data 2018|Kaiapoi|y}}
| city_7 = Lincoln, New Zealand{{!}}Lincoln | div_7 = Selwyn District | pop_7 = {{NZ population data 2018|Lincoln|y}}
| city_8 = Prebbleton | div_8 = Selwyn District | pop_8 = {{NZ population data 2018|Prebbleton|y}}
| city_9 = Woodend, New Zealand{{!}}Woodend | div_9 = Waimakariri District | pop_9 = {{NZ population data 2018|Woodend|y}}
| city_10 = Temuka | div_10 = Timaru District | pop_10 = {{NZ population data 2018|Temuka|y}}
}}

===Culture and identity===
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 80.3% [[European New Zealanders|European]] ([[Pākehā]]); 10.6% [[Māori people|Māori]]; 3.7% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]]; 13.3% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]]; 1.6% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.5% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.3%, Māori language by 2.1%, Samoan by 1.0% and other languages by 13.8%. No language could be spoken by 2.0% (e.g. too young to talk). [[New Zealand Sign Language]] was known by 0.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 24.6, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 32.2% [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 1.7% [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]], 1.0% [[Islam in New Zealand|Islam]], 0.3% [[Māori religious beliefs]], 0.8% [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]], 0.5% [[New Age]], 0.1% [[Judaism in New Zealand|Jewish]],  and 1.7% other religions. People who answered that they had [[Irreligion in New Zealand|no religion]] were 55.1%, and 6.8% of people did not answer the census question.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

{| class="wikitable floatright"
|+ Largest groups of overseas-born residents<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nzdotstat.stats.govt.nz/wbos/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=TABLECODE8279#|title=Birthplace (detailed), for the census usually resident population count, 2006, 2013, and 2018 Censuses (RC, TA, SA2, DHB)|website=nzdotstat.stats.govt.nz|access-date=28 February 2020}}</ref>
|-
!Nationality || Population (2018)
|-
| {{flag|England}}|| 28,719
|-
| {{flag|Philippines}}|| 13,650
|-
| {{flag|Mainland China}}|| 11,553
|-
| {{flag|Australia}}|| 10,428
|-
| {{flag|India}}|| 8,823
|-
| {{flag|South Africa}}|| 6,195
|-
| {{flag|Scotland}}|| 3,798
|-
| {{flag|Fiji}}|| 3,672
|-
| {{flag|United States}} || 3,483
|-
| {{flag|Samoa}} || 3,339
|}
In the 2013 census, just under 20 percent of Canterbury's population was born overseas, compared to 25 percent for New Zealand as a whole. The British Isles remains the largest region of origin, accounting for 36.5 percent of the overseas-born population in Canterbury. Around a quarter of Canterbury's overseas-born population at the 2013 Census had been living in New Zealand for less than five years, and 11 percent had been living in New Zealand for less than two years (i.e. they moved to New Zealand after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake).<ref name="NZdotstat">{{cite web|url=http://nzdotstat.stats.govt.nz/wbos/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=TABLECODE8041|title=Birthplace (detailed), for the census usually resident population count, 2001, 2006, and 2013 (RC, TA) – NZ.Stat|publisher=Statistics New Zealand|access-date=23 January 2016}}</ref><ref name="quickstats_culture"/>

[[File:Cardboard Cathedral 09.JPG|thumb|right|The [[Cardboard Cathedral]] in Christchurch opened in August 2013 as the transitional pro-cathedral for the [[Anglican Diocese of Christchurch]]. Anglicans make up 14.8 percent of Canterbury's population.]]
[[Anglicanism]] is the largest Christian denomination in Canterbury with 14.8 percent affiliating, while [[Catholic Church|Catholicism]] is the second-largest with 12.7 percent affiliating.<ref name="quickstats_culture">{{cite web|url=http://www.stats.govt.nz/~/media/Statistics/Census/2013%20Census/profile-and-summary-reports/quickstats-culture-identity/tables.xls |title=2013 Census QuickStats about culture and identity – data tables |publisher=[[Statistics New Zealand]] |date=15 April 2014 |access-date=25 January 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524102811/http://www.stats.govt.nz/~/media/Statistics/Census/2013%20Census/profile-and-summary-reports/quickstats-culture-identity/tables.xls |archive-date=24 May 2014 }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right;"
|+Ethnic groups of Canterbury residents, 2006–18 census<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nzdotstat.stats.govt.nz/wbos/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=TABLECODE8321|title=Ethnic group (detailed total response – level 3) by age and sex, for the census usually resident population count, 2006, 2013, and 2018 Censuses (RC, TA, SA2, DHB).|website=nzdotstat.stats.govt.nz|access-date=3 March 2020}}</ref>
! rowspan="2" |Ethnicity
! colspan="2" |2006 census
! colspan="2" |2013 census
! colspan="2" |2018 census
! colspan="2" |2023 census
|-
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
|-
| style="text-align:left;" |European
|393,219
|77.4
|448,650
|86.9
|494,340
|82.4
|522,498
|80.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;" |Māori
|36,669
|7.2
|41,910
|8.1
|56,298
|9.4
|69,060
|10.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;" |Pacific peoples
|10,926
|2.2
|12,720
|2.5
|18,927
|3.2
|23,868
|3.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;" |Asian
|29,172
|5.7
|35,847
|6.9
|66,672
|11.1
|86,430
|13.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;" |Middle Eastern/Latin American/African
|3,363
|0.7
|4,374
|0.8
|7,314
|1.2
|10,299
|1.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;" |Other
|70,254
|13.8
|10,236
|2.0
|8,307
|1.4
|8,205
|1.3
|-
! style="text-align:left;" |Total people stated
!508,185
!
!516,360
!
!599,694
!
!651,027
!
|-
| style="text-align:left;" |Not elsewhere included
|13,650
|2.6
|23,076
|4.3
|0
|0.0
|0
|0.0
|}

==Economy==
[[File:Crossing the Macauley River, Lilybank Station, Canterbury, New Zealand, 1977.jpg|thumb|Crossing the [[Macauley River]], Lilybank Station, Canterbury, New Zealand, 1977.]]
The [[gross domestic product]] (GDP) of the Canterbury Region was estimated at NZ$44.2 billion in the year to March 2022, representing 12.4% of New Zealand's national GDP.  The regional GDP per filled job was $126,733, 4.6% below the national average of $132,815.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Te Tirohanga ā-Rohe {{!}} Regional overview |url=https://www.mbie.govt.nz/business-and-employment/employment-and-skills/regional-skills-leadership-groups/canterbury/regional-workforce-plans/canterbury-regional-workforce-plan-2023/te-tirohanga-a-rohe-regional-overview/ |access-date=22 April 2024 |website=[[Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment]]}}</ref>

For the year ended March 2022, the manufacturing industry was the largest contributor to the Canterbury regional economy, at $4.1 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gross Domestic Product of the Canterbury Region, New Zealand |url=https://figure.nz/chart/W9VhJ662mcUp87Ny-jSVnLU9znPF6lmCX |access-date=2024-04-21 |website=Figure.NZ |language=en-nz}}</ref> Primary manufacturing (the process of creating a product from raw materials) represented $2.48 billion of the total.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=26 March 2024 |title=Regional gross domestic product: Year ended March 2023 |url=https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/regional-gross-domestic-product-year-ended-march-2023/ |access-date=22 April 2024 |website=[[Statistics New Zealand]]}}</ref> Manufacturing industries in the region employed 10.6% of the filled jobs in the region.<ref name=":0" />  The construction sector represented the next highest category of regional GDP, at $3.67 billion, followed by professional, scientific and technical services at $3.64 billion.<ref name=":1" />

=== Agriculture ===
Agriculture contributed $3.26 billion to the regional economy in the year ended March 2022.<ref name=":1" /> The agriculture sector is diversified into dairy farming, sheep farming and [[horticulture]] particularly [[viticulture]].<ref name="cnr8">{{cite encyclopedia|url= http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/canterbury-region/8|title=Canterbury Region: Agriculture after 1900|last=Wilson|first=John |date=2 March 2009|encyclopedia=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |access-date=11 June 2010}}</ref> The strength of the region's agricultural economy is displayed every November at the [[Canterbury A&P Show]]. The show coincides with the regional anniversary day and Cup Week. During the interwar period, agricultural productivity was boosted by the introduction of mechanization, lime and the improvement of seed stocks. Canterbury is also New Zealand's main producer of cereal crops such as wheat, barley and oats.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Espig |first1=Martin |last2=Dynes |first2=Robyn A. |last3=Henwood |first3=Roxanne J. T. |last4=James |first4=Trevor K. |date=4 March 2022 |title=The Drivers of Herbicide Use among Arable Farmers in Canterbury, New Zealand: Toward an Integrated Approach |journal=Society & Natural Resources |language=en |volume=35 |issue=3 |pages=281–300 |doi=10.1080/08941920.2022.2032516 |bibcode=2022SNatR..35..281E |issn=0894-1920|doi-access=free }}</ref> As of 2002, the region produced 60.7% of the nation's supply of wheat, 51.1% of its barley stocks and 43.7% of its supply of oats.<ref name="cnr8" />

Canterbury has 25,065 hectares of horticultural land, the largest area in New Zealand. The largest crops are [[potato]]es (4,330 ha), [[pea]]s and [[bean]]s (2,700 ha), wine grapes (1,770 ha), [[Berry|berries]] (1,100 ha), and [[onion]]s (1,000 ha). The region produces half of the New Zealand's [[Edible mushroom|mushrooms]], nuts and berries.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 March 2020 |title=Harvest Calendar: Fruit Picking Seasons in New Zealand |url=https://www.backpackerjobboard.co.nz/blog/fruit-picking-seasons-in-new-zealand/ |access-date=27 November 2023 |website=Backpacker Blog NZ |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.freshfacts.co.nz/files/freshfacts-2018.pdf|title=Fresh Facts: New Zealand Horticulture|date=2018|website=Plant & Food Research|issn=1177-2190}}</ref>

The region's viticulture industry was established by French settlers in [[Akaroa]]. Since then, wine-growing is concentrated into two regions: [[Waipara]] and [[Burnham, New Zealand|Burnham]].<ref name="cnr8" /> Recently, there have been vintages from plantings from [[Kurow]] further to the south. [[White wine]] has typically predominated in Canterbury from [[Riesling]], [[Sauvignon blanc]], [[Chardonnay]], [[Gewürztraminer]], and to a lesser extent [[Pinot blanc]] and [[Pinot gris]]. [[Pinot noir]] has had some success in the province, particularly in Waipara.

==Environment==
{{more citations needed section|date=April 2024}}
[[File:Upper Akaroa Harbour, Canterbury, New Zealand, 21st. Nov. 2010 - Flickr - PhillipC.jpg|thumb|Upper Akaroa Harbour]]
[[File:Canterbury Plains NZ aerial.jpg|thumb|Canterbury Plains]]
{{see also|Environment of New Zealand}}
Like much of the [[Canterbury-Otago tussock grasslands]] the [[Canterbury Plains]] have been highly modified since human settlement and now support a large agricultural industry. Prior to the arrival of [[Māori people|Māori]] settlers in the 13th century, much of the modern Canterbury Region was covered in scrub and beech forests. Forest fires destroyed much of the original [[forest cover]] which was succeeded by tussock grassland. By the 19th century, only ten percent of this forest cover remained, and the European settlers introduced several new exotic [[grass]], [[lupin]], [[pine]] and [[Hesperocyparis macrocarpa|macrocarpa]] that gradually supplanted the native vegetation. Much of the native vegetation was isolated to the [[alpine zone]]s and Banks Peninsula. From a minimum of about one percent of its original forest cover in circa 1900, the amount of forest on Banks Peninsula has increased.

The amount of dairy farming is increasing with a corresponding increase in demand for water. Water use is now becoming a contentious issue in Canterbury. Lowland rivers and streams are generally polluted and some of the aquifers are being overdrawn. The [[Central Plains Water]] scheme is a proposal for water storage that has attracted much controversy. The [[Canterbury Water Management Strategy]] is one of the many means being used to address the water issue.

The [[Canterbury mudfish]] (kowaro) is an endangered species that is monitored by the Department of Conservation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mudfish: New Zealand Freshwater Fish |url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/freshwater-fish/mudfish/ |website=[[Department of Conservation (New Zealand)|Department of Conservation]] |access-date=22 February 2019}}</ref>
<!-- [[Gorse in New Zealand|gorse]], a problematic [[invasive species|invasive plant]] ......... planted hedgerows on the Canterbury Plains. -->

==Government and politics==
{{more citations needed section|date=April 2024}}

===Local government===
The Canterbury Region is administered by the [[Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury)|Canterbury Regional Council]]. The area includes ten [[Territorial authorities of New Zealand|territorial authorities]], including [[Christchurch City Council]] and part of the [[Waitaki District]], the other part of which is in Otago. Following the [[1989 local government reforms|local government reform of 1989]], [[Kaikōura District]] was part of the [[Nelson-Marlborough Regional Council|Nelson-Marlborough Region]]. That region was later abolished and replaced with three [[unitary authorities]]. Kaikōura was too small to function as an independent unitary authority and was moved under the jurisdiction of the Canterbury Regional Council in 1992. However, Kaikōura remains part of Marlborough in the minds of many people. In 2006, the Banks Peninsula District was merged into Christchurch City following a 2005 referendum.

===National government===
The Canterbury Region is covered by ten general electorates and one Māori electorate. The city of Christchurch as a whole consists of five of these electorates, while the electorate of [[Waimakariri (New Zealand electorate)|Waimakariri]] contains a mix of Christchurch and exurban Canterbury. The [[Banks Peninsula (New Zealand electorate)|Banks Peninsula]], [[Ilam (New Zealand electorate)|Ilam]], and [[Waimakariri (New Zealand electorate)|Waimakariri]] electorates are currently held by members of the governing [[New Zealand National Party|National Party]] (as part of the coalition-led [[Sixth National Government of New Zealand]]) [[Vanessa Weenink]], [[Hamish Campbell]], and [[Matt Doocey]]. Meanwhile, the [[Christchurch Central]], [[Christchurch East]], and [[Wigram (New Zealand electorate)|Wigram]] electorates are currently held by opposition ([[Labour Party (New Zealand)|Labour Party]]) members [[Duncan Webb]], [[Reuben Davidson]], and [[Megan Woods]] respectively.

In contrast to Christchurch, much of the surrounding Canterbury Region is dominated by the National Party due to its ties to rural farming and business interests. The large [[Kaikōura (New Zealand electorate)|Kaikōura]] electorate covers all of the [[Marlborough Region]] and northern Canterbury and is represented by National MP [[Stuart Smith (politician)|Stuart Smith]]. The substantial [[Waitaki (New Zealand electorate)|Waitaki]] electorate, held by National MP [[Miles Anderson (politician)|Miles Anderson]], covers most of [[South Canterbury]] and neighbouring [[North Otago]]. [[Rangitata (New Zealand electorate)|Rangitata]] and [[Selwyn (New Zealand electorate)|Selwyn]] are held by National members [[James Meager]] and [[Nicola Grigg]] respectively.

Under the [[Māori electorates]] system, Canterbury is part of the large [[Te Tai Tonga (New Zealand electorate)|Te Tai Tonga]] electorate which covers the entire South Island, the surrounding islands and most of [[Wellington]] in the North Island. It is currently held by [[Tākuta Ferris]] of [[Te Pāti Māori]].

Judicially, the region is served by four [[District Court of New Zealand|District Courts]] at Christchurch, Ashburton, Timaru and Kaikōura, and two [[High Court of New Zealand|High Courts]] at Christchurch and Timaru.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.courtsofnz.govt.nz/utilities/contact/courts|title=Contact a court – Courts of New Zealand|website=courtsofnz.govt.nz|access-date=27 June 2019}}</ref> The Christchurch High Court also hosts a divisional court of the [[Court of Appeal of New Zealand|Court of Appeal]].

==Transport==
{{See also|Public transport in Christchurch}}
[[File:Christchurch_Northern_Motorway_Ohoka_Rd_Interchange_Dec_2011.jpg|thumb|[[Christchurch Northern Motorway]]]]

[[State Highway 1 (New Zealand)|State Highway 1]] runs the length of Canterbury, connecting north to [[Blenheim, New Zealand|Blenheim]] and the Cook Strait ferry terminal at [[Picton, New Zealand|Picton]] and south to [[Oamaru]], [[Dunedin]] and [[Invercargill]].

[[Christchurch International Airport]], located in [[Harewood, New Zealand|Harewood]] on the northwest outskirts of Christchurch, is the region's main airport. Regular flights operate from Christchurch to most major centres in New Zealand, as well as Australia, the Pacific Islands and eastern Asia. Timaru's [[Richard Pearse Airport]] serves South Canterbury with daily flights to [[Wellington International Airport|Wellington]].

==Education==
[[File:Christchurch_Boys'_High_01.jpg|thumb|[[Christchurch Boys' High School]]]]
[[File:University_of_Canterbury,_Christchurch,_New_Zealand,_12_June_2008.jpg|thumb|[[University of Canterbury]]]]
{{see also|List of schools in Canterbury Region|List of schools in Christchurch}}
Canterbury is served by 292 primary and secondary schools, educating roughly 94,000 students from ages 5 to 18. Around 13 percent of students attend [[state-integrated school]]s and 5 percent attend private schools, with the remaining 82 percent attending state schools.{{NZ school roll data||||y}} Christchurch and Timaru have single-sex state secondary schools.

Canterbury has two universities: the [[University of Canterbury]] located in western Christchurch, and [[Lincoln University (New Zealand)|Lincoln University]] located in Lincoln.

==Sport==
{{further|Sport in Christchurch}}
[[File:Mount Hutt 912.jpg|thumb|Skiing at [[Mount Hutt]]]]
Sport in Canterbury has developed from the time of the initial settlement by British migrants, and remains an important part of community life. [[Cricket]] and [[rugby union]] have been popular team sports since the early years of settlement, with the first cricket club established in Christchurch in 1851, and the first rugby club in 1863. Interest in organised sports has diversified and now includes a wide range of codes.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wilson |first=John |date=6 July 2015 |title=Canterbury Region – Sport and leisure |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/canterbury-region/page-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615024331/https://teara.govt.nz/en/canterbury-region/page-16 |archive-date=15 June 2024 |access-date=4 July 2024 |website=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]]}}</ref> In 2022, the top five sporting codes in Canterbury based on club membership were [[netball]], [[touch rugby]], rugby union, [[golf]] and cricket.<ref name="sportreport">{{Cite web |title=2022 Sport Report |url=https://www.sportcanterbury.org.nz/asset/downloadasset?id=db08f97f-a4bd-4224-a09e-6cdbdad79ebf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240712032512/https://www.sportcanterbury.org.nz/asset/downloadasset?id=db08f97f-a4bd-4224-a09e-6cdbdad79ebf |archive-date=12 July 2024 |access-date=7 July 2024 |website=Sport Canterbury}}</ref>

There are around 1,200 sports clubs and associations in Christchurch,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sports associations |url=https://ccc.govt.nz/rec-and-sport/sports-grounds/sports-associations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510193037/https://www.ccc.govt.nz/rec-and-sport/sports-grounds/sports-associations |archive-date=10 May 2024 |access-date=2024-07-03 |website=[[Christchurch City Council]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> and in 2022 there were 140,000 affiliated members.<ref name="sportreport" /> Most of the sporting codes remain amateur, and rely upon volunteers as administrators and officials.{{Sfn|Wilson|2013|p=293}} However, there are some professional teams. Notable teams representing Christchurch or the Canterbury Region include the [[Mainland Tactix]] (netball), [[Crusaders (rugby union)|Crusaders]] (rugby) and the [[Canterbury cricket team|Canterbury Kings]] (cricket).

The Crusaders, who play in the [[Super Rugby]] competition, are based in Christchurch. They represent Canterbury and other provinces of the upper South Island. They were formerly known as the ''Canterbury Crusaders''. In provincial rugby, Canterbury is represented by three unions; [[Canterbury Rugby Football Union|Canterbury]], [[Mid Canterbury Rugby Football Union|Mid Canterbury]] and [[South Canterbury Rugby Football Union|South Canterbury]]. For historical reasons, players from Kaikōura District still play for the Marlborough Rugby Union, which is part of the Tasman Provincial team (Nelson/Marlborough Unions combined). Other sporting teams include the [[Mainland Tactix]] (netball), [[Canterbury United FC]] (football) and [[Canterbury Rams]] (basketball).

Christchurch has hosted many international competitions including championship events. A particularly notable international event was the [[1974 Commonwealth Games]].

There are many outdoor sportsgrounds and a variety of indoor venues. [[Christchurch City Council]] maintains 110 sportsgrounds across Christchurch City and [[Banks Peninsula]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sports grounds and stadiums |url=https://ccc.govt.nz/rec-and-sport/sports-grounds |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520221515/https://ccc.govt.nz/rec-and-sport/sports-grounds |archive-date=20 May 2024 |access-date=2024-07-07 |website=[[Christchurch City Council]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> The sports venues [[Lancaster Park]] and [[Queen Elizabeth II Park]] were damaged beyond repair in the [[2011 Christchurch earthquake]], and were demolished.{{Sfn|Wilson|2013|p=305}}  New facilities built to replace those damaged in the earthquake include the [[Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Oliver |last2=Hayward |first2=Michael |date=21 October 2018 |title=Athletics track opening a milestone for Ngā Puna Wai sports hub |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/107998371/athletics-track-opening-a-milestone-for-ng-puna-wai-sports-hub |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802143309/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/107998371/athletics-track-opening-a-milestone-for-ng-puna-wai-sports-hub |archive-date=2 August 2020 |access-date=12 July 2024 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]}}</ref> the [[Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre]] — an aquatic and indoor sports venue scheduled to open in 2025,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-24 |title=Troubled sports facility slowly taking shape |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-south-today/troubled-sports-facility-slowly-taking-shape |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310155032/https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-south-today/troubled-sports-facility-slowly-taking-shape |archive-date=10 March 2024 |access-date=2024-07-07 |website=[[Otago Daily Times]] |language=en}}</ref> and a [[Multi-purpose stadium|multi–purpose covered stadium]] [[Te Kaha (stadium)|''Te Kaha'']] seating 30,000 spectators that is expected to be complete by April 2026.<ref>{{cite news |date=4 July 2024 |title=One New Zealand gets naming rights for new $683m Christchurch stadium |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/521262/one-new-zealand-gets-naming-rights-for-new-683m-christchurch-stadium |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240704053957/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/521262/one-new-zealand-gets-naming-rights-for-new-683m-christchurch-stadium |archive-date=4 July 2024 |access-date=4 July 2024 |work=[[RNZ]]}}</ref>

==Film location==
Canterbury has been a [[filming location]] for a range of international and national TV shows and films. Most notable are the locations used in the filming of  ''[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|The Lord of the Rings]]'' with the fictional city of Edoras, [[Rohan (Middle-earth)|Rohan]], being set on [[Mount Sunday]], as well as Helm's deep backdrop, several miles down the valley.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/lord-of-the-rings-locations/#edoras |title=Lord of the Rings locations |publisher = New Zealand Department of Conservation |website=[[Department of Conservation (New Zealand)|Department of Conservation]]}}</ref>  For [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King|Return of the King]] the [[battle of the Pelennor Fields]] private farmland near Twizel was used.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Lord of the Rings filming locations {{!}} 100% Pure New Zealand |url=https://www.newzealand.com/nz/feature/the-lord-of-the-rings-trilogy-filming-locations/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250502213842/https://www.newzealand.com/nz/feature/the-lord-of-the-rings-trilogy-filming-locations/ |archive-date=2 May 2025 |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=www.newzealand.com |language=en-NZ |url-status=live }}</ref> Canterbury also appeared in [[The Hobbit (film series)|The Hobbit trilogy]] with [[Lake Pukaki]] being the setting for Laketown.

Other productions have been ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe]]'' with [[Flock Hill, New Zealand|Flock Hill]] being used for the battle of Beruna. [[Slow West]], [[Bookworm (film)|Bookworm]] and [[Mulan (2020 film)|Mulan]] used locations in the Mackenzie basin, with Mulan also using [[Omarama Clay Cliffs|Omarama's Clay Cliffs]] in a scene. Plates from the [[TranzAlpine|Tranz Alpine]] were used for the [[Murder on the Orient Express (2017 film)]] to double as the [[Swiss Alps]] on a sound stage in the UK.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PDV Showcase |url=https://www.nzfilm.co.nz/international/showcase/pdv-showcase |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=New Zealand Film Commission |language=en}}</ref> And Christchurch itself has featured in productions like [[Heavenly Creatures]], [[The Frighteners]], [[Z for Zachariah (film)]] and [[Dark City: The Cleaner]].

==See also==
*[[2010 Canterbury earthquake]]
*February [[2011 Christchurch earthquake]]
*[[June 2011 Christchurch earthquake]]
*November [[2016 Kaikōura earthquake]]
*[[Water pollution in the Canterbury Region]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Sources cited==
*{{cite book |last=Wilson |first=John |url=https://ccc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Culture-Community/Heritage/Christchurch-Contextual-Historical-Overview-Revised-2013.pdf |title=Contextual Historical Overview for Christchurch City – Revised 2013 |publisher=[[Christchurch City Council]] |year=2013 |edition=2nd}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Canterbury (New Zealand)}}
{{Commons category|Canterbury Region}}
* [http://www.ecan.govt.nz/ Environment Canterbury] (Canterbury Regional Council)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101030000035/http://www.canterburybiodiversity.org.nz/ Canterbury Biodiversity], Environment Canterbury

{{Regions of New Zealand}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Canterbury Region| ]]
[[Category:English-New Zealand culture]]
[[Category:Irish-New Zealand culture]]
[[Category:Regions of New Zealand|Canterbury]]