A horrendous cost

Stand on the Cashel Mall side of the Bridge of Remembrance to hear historian Jock Phillip explain the features of this war memorial and its significance to the people of Christchurch. You'll discover the meaning of the arched shape and learn why this bridge contains a symbol of Fascism.

New Zealand sent 100,000 men - or 10% of its total population - to the First World War. Half of them were killed or injured. The Bridge of Remembrance was unveiled in 1924. Jock Phillips was born in Christchurch and wrote To the Memory: New Zealand's War Memorials in 2016, which explores the memorials as creative expressions of grief.

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Next stop - Ernest Rutherford Mural

The eyes of a crocodile

Visit the Ernest Rutherford mural to hear about this famous physicist and his relationship to Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Know as the father of nuclear physics, Ernest Rutherford discovered what the inside of an atom looked like. He studied at Canterbury College (now The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora) in Christchurch in the 1890s and went on to run win a Nobel Prize and run the prestigious Cavendish Laboratory at Cambridge University.

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Next stop - Victoria Square

Bridge from the pub

Stand by the Hamish Hay Bridge to listen to historian Geoffrey Rice explain the role of Victoria Square as the heart of colonial Christchurch.

Geoffrey Rice is an historian, emeritus professor and author of the book Victoria Square: Cradle of Christchurch.

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Next stop - Kate Sheppard National Memorial

Christchurch radicals

Stand at the Kate Sheppard National Memorial to hear historian Katie Pickles explain why 1890s Christchurch had all the ingredients needed to be the first in the world to win women's suffrage - and learn about some of the remarkable people who made it happen.

New Zealand became the first country to grant women the right to vote in 1893. Kate Sheppard and the other women on this memorial worked hard to collect more than 31,000 signatures - which was more than a quarter of adult women in New Zealand.

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Next stop - Riverside Market

Spot the old train station clock

Stand at the bottom of the stairs in Riverside Market to hear co-owner Richard Peebles point out some of the recycled materials that have been used in this new building.

Riverside Market trades Monday to Wednesday 8am - 6pm, Thursday to Saturday 8am - 9pm and Sunday 10am - 5pm. Eateries, bars and restaurants open until late.

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Next stop - Armstrong Lawn

Stroll the lawn

Start at the gates of the Botanic Gardens to take a stroll of Armstrong Lawn with former curator Alan Joliffe, who was the last person to live in the Curator's House. Learn about many of the plants and features as well as the early work of Joseph Armstrong in establishing this garden.

Joseph Armstrong was curator of the Botanic Gardens for 22 years. He was a passionate about collecting NZ native plants.

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Next stop - Canterbury Provincial Chambers

Wool, wheat and frozen meat

Stand at the information panel on Armagh Street to hear how the three pillars of the Canterbury economy allowed the young province to afford grand buildings like this one in the 1850s.

Geoffrey Rice is an historian, emeritus professor and author of the book Victoria Square: Cradle of Christchurch.

Stand at the information panel on Armagh Street to hear how the three pillars of the Canterbury economy allowed the young province to afford grand buildings like this one in the 1850s.

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Next stop - Riverside Market Mural

Find Peebles Station

Stand near the carpark to hear about how this once-blank wall was transformed into a slice of lost colonial Christchurch.

"Richard Peebles from Riverside Market explains how this mural links to his own history in Christchurch and what has been created in the new Riverside market.

The concept and design for the wall was created by Josh Thompson of Madeknown, with the wall being painted and produced by Oi YOU! and local artists DTR Crew (Dcypher, Wongi Wilson, Ikarus & Jacob Yikes).

The mural was funded through a public-private-partnership between Riverside Market, Oi YOU!, Madeknown and ChristchurchNZ."

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Next stop - Captain Cook Statue

New Zealand's Michaelangelo

Stand at the Captain Cook Statue in Victoria Square to hear from historian Geoffrey Rice about how the money was raised for a statue of this "hero of Empire" and the carver who brought it to life.

Geoffrey Rice is an historian, emeritus professor and author of the book Victoria Square: Cradle of Christchurch.

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Next stop - Scandal of 1868

A body in the ruins

Stand on the Colombo Street side of Victoria Square to hear historian Geoffrey Rice tell the story of a great flood, then fire that led to a scandalous end for one Christchurch shopkeeper.

Geoffrey Rice is an historian, emeritus professor and author of the book Victoria Square: Cradle of Christchurch.

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