Overview

Christchurch

Christchurch (aka Otautahi in Maori) is the largest city in the South Island located on the east coast with a population of over 350,000 people. Those that are fortunate enough to travel around the country often say that it is the most attractive city in New Zealand.

The city was named by the Canterbury Association and the decision taken during the first meeting of the association on 27th March 1848. The name was suggested by J.R Godley who had attended Christ Church, Oxford.

You will find a large number of public parks and well-developed residential gardens throughout the city and that is why Christchurch is also known as “The Garden City”. In 1996, Christchurch was acknowledged as the most outstanding garden city with 620 international entries. In 1997, the city went one better when it was judged ‘Overall Winner of Major Cities’ in the Nations in Bloom International Competition to become 'Garden City of the World’.

Resident’s of Christchurch enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle along with a natural environment that world renowned for its beauty. Christchurch contains one of the two main international airports for the country, and is connected via a tunnel to a seaport at Lyttelton on Bank's Peninsula.

A Few of the main attractions are:

• The Air Force Museum
• Arts Centre
• Kiwi House
• International Heritage Park
• Maori Cultural Experience
• Cathedral Square Market
• Christchurch Art Gallery
• Yaldhurst Museum of Transport and Science

Dunedin

Dunedin is New Zealand’s second largest city and also the oldest city of the South Island. Dunedin was founded on the picks, harpoons and hard toil of goldminers, whalers and early Scottish settlers over 150 years ago. Much of Dunedin's early wealth and enterprise has left a tangible mark on the city today. The city has a Scottish character and is a place of both culture and learning.

The name Dunedin was copied from Edinburgh and the two cities having been officially twinned since 1974. Dunedin is the old Gaelic word for Edinburgh which is appropriate since the city was established by Scottish Presbyterians.The city is very well-known for its Victorian and Edwardian architecture and its close proximity to amazing wildlife such as the world’s rarest penguins, Royal Albatross and New Zealand sea lions.

Dunedin is the fifth largest city in New Zealand with a population of 118,683. The city itself stands on the hills and valleys surrounding the head of Otago Harbour. The harbour and hills are the remnants of an extinct volcano and the city is the home of the University of Otago.

The unique lifestyle attracts international tourists, students, tour groups and corporate visitors in large numbers every year. Dunedin has lots of attraction to offer. The Municipal Chambers, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Dunedin Public Art Gallery and the Regent Theatre all surround the Octagon.  There are also a large number of cafés, bars and restaurants, many with outdoor seating and live music or performance. Dunedin Railway Station is one of the world’s most photographed stations.