About Christchurch
New Zealand is a great place to study and Christchurch, the second largest city, offers a range of activities students can experience while they are here.
The City
Christchurch is known as the “Garden City” as there are many beautiful gardens and parks. The city is a thriving, cosmopolitan business, educational, and arts centre with an enticing atmosphere. The central city has botanic gardens, museum, art galleries and a range of shops to cater for all budgets. Malls can be found in most major suburbs.
Living in Christchurch
- Population of almost 400,000
- Educational city
- International airport
- Galleries, museums
- Excellent public transport system
- Variety of restaurants, cafes and bars
- Entertainment and tourist attractions
- International Festivals and shows
- A wide range of indoor and outdoor sports
- High quality, affordable living standards
- Ethnic support networks
Entertainment
There are many restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, and bars for an exciting nightlife. Christchurch often holds festivals and events including the Festival of Romance, the Floral Festival, a Winter Carnival, Showtime Canterbury, and the famous International Buskers Festival.
To find out more about living in Christchurch, please visit:
Seasons
- Spring - September-November
- Summer - December-February
- Autumn - March-May
- Winter - June-August
Location
Christchurch, the largest city in the south island, is clean and beautiful and is located on the east coast of the south island. Ski slopes, beaches, lakes, rivers and mountains are all with an easy 1-2 hours drive from the heart of the city. The international airport offers direct links to Asia, Australia and the Pacific.
Getting around
Being very flat, Christchurch is perfect for cycling or walking. We also have a reliable and regular bus service which many people choose to use. For information about bus fare and routes, visit the metro website.
Some students purchase a car during their stay in New Zealand. New Zealand has very strict rules for driving, licensing and car maintenance, and students should ensure they are aware of these before buying a car. For more information please visit the LTSA website.
Climate
Christchurch has a mild climate. Summer in New Zealand runs from December through February and Winter from June through August.
Temperature
Mean Daily Maximum
Jan 22.5°C, July 11.3°C
Mean Daily Minimum
Jan 12.2°C, July 1.7°C
