What is Christchurch Central?

Christchurch Central is the city's central business district, bounded by Bealey Avenue (north), Fitzgerald Avenue (east), Moorhouse Avenue (south) and Deans Avenue (west). It includes Cathedral Square, Hagley Park and the post-earthquake CBD rebuild.

What is the Cardboard Cathedral?

The Transitional Cathedral on Hereford Street, designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban after the 2011 earthquake damaged the original ChristChurch Cathedral. It's built from cardboard tubes (treated for waterproofing), timber and concrete, and has been holding services since 2013.

Is the original Christchurch Cathedral being rebuilt?

Yes. The Christ Church Cathedral in Cathedral Square is being reinstated, with stabilisation completed and major works underway. Completion estimates have shifted several times, with current public estimates pointing to the late 2020s.

Tūranga is the central Christchurch library, opened on Cathedral Square in 2018. Five storeys, free public access, with reading rooms, a children's section, performance space and panoramic views of the city.

Where is Hagley Park?

Hagley Park sits on the western edge of Christchurch Central, covering 165 hectares either side of the Avon River. It includes the Botanic Gardens, sports fields, walking and cycling paths, and the Canterbury Museum on its eastern edge.

Which schools are in zone for Christchurch Central?

Children living in Christchurch Central are in zone for Christchurch Adventist School, Burnside High School, Christchurch Boys' High School, Christchurch Girls' High School -Te Kura o Hine Waiora, Elmwood Normal School, Middleton Grange School, Te Puna Wai o Waipapa - Hagley College, He Tīwai Mātauranga Heaton Normal Intermediate, Hillview Christian School, Marian College. Living in a school's home zone gives a guaranteed right to enrol.

How do I check my school zone in Christchurch Central?

Use the School Zone Checker on this page — enter your address to check your school zone and see which schools you have a guaranteed right to enrol at.

Christchurch Central, Canterbury | Schools, Lifestyle & Local Guide

Est. Median Value: $821K
Median Weekly Rent: $466/wk
Safety Score: 54/100
Green Space: 37%
Current Weather: 3.9°C
Median Age: 36 yrs

Living in Christchurch Central

Christchurch Central is the city centre, bounded by the four avenues (Bealey, Fitzgerald, Moorhouse and Deans). It's also, no other way to say this, the most rebuilt CBD in the country. The 2010 and 2011 earthquakes flattened or rendered unsafe a third of the central city. Most of what's there now has been built since 2014, deliberately, sometimes brilliantly.

Standout newer buildings: Tūranga, the central library opened in 2018 (five storeys, glass everywhere, one of the best public spaces in the country); the Margaret Mahy Family Playground (the largest in the southern hemisphere when it opened in 2015); Riverside Market, which is what Christchurch decided to do instead of a food court; and the Cardboard Cathedral on Hereford Street, designed by Shigeru Ban after the 2011 quake. Christ Church Cathedral itself is being painstakingly reinstated in the Square as we speak.

The Avon River winds through the centre, with promenades and bridges on either side. Hagley Park, all 165 hectares, sits on the western edge with the Botanic Gardens inside. Cathedral Square is the official heart, but locals often prefer New Regent Street with its 1930s pastel buildings and the heritage tram.

Is Christchurch Central a good place to live?

Christchurch Central is home to roughly 8,151 people. On Suburb's overall livability scale, Christchurch Central scores 73 out of 100, with a safety score of 54/100 and 37% green space.

Schools: Christchurch Central has 77 schools in or near the suburb, spanning early-childhood through to secondary education. See the Schools tab below for the full list.

Housing: The estimated median value is around $821K, and weekly rent typically sits around $466.

Lifestyle: Christchurch Central has cafés, shops and things to do nearby. Public transport stops are within easy reach. The current temperature is 3.9°C. See the Weather tab for monthly averages.

Whether Christchurch Central is right for you depends on what you’re looking for. Use the data and community tips below to decide if it suits your lifestyle, family and budget.

Map

Livability Breakdown

Safety54
Amenities100
Schools86
Housing Affordability46
Green space100
Community56
Transport100

Property & Economics

Est. Median Value: $821K
Median Weekly Rent: $466/wk
Median HH Income: $100K/yr
Pop. Growth (5yr): +27.4%
Data Year: 2023

Key Financial Indicators (NZD)

† Est. Median Value is suburb.co.nz's own estimate, modelled from available public data. We aim for accuracy, but where data is limited, estimates may be imprecise.

Nearby Suburbs

Browse all suburbs in Christchurch City →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Christchurch Central?: Christchurch Central is the city's central business district, bounded by Bealey Avenue (north), Fitzgerald Avenue (east), Moorhouse Avenue (south) and Deans Avenue (west). It includes Cathedral Square, Hagley Park and the post-earthquake CBD rebuild.
What is the Cardboard Cathedral?: The Transitional Cathedral on Hereford Street, designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban after the 2011 earthquake damaged the original ChristChurch Cathedral. It's built from cardboard tubes (treated for waterproofing), timber and concrete, and has been holding services since 2013.
Is the original Christchurch Cathedral being rebuilt?: Yes. The Christ Church Cathedral in Cathedral Square is being reinstated, with stabilisation completed and major works underway. Completion estimates have shifted several times, with current public estimates pointing to the late 2020s.
What is Tūranga?: Tūranga is the central Christchurch library, opened on Cathedral Square in 2018. Five storeys, free public access, with reading rooms, a children's section, performance space and panoramic views of the city.
Where is Hagley Park?: Hagley Park sits on the western edge of Christchurch Central, covering 165 hectares either side of the Avon River. It includes the Botanic Gardens, sports fields, walking and cycling paths, and the Canterbury Museum on its eastern edge.

Christchurch Central Weather

Current conditions: 3.9°C, broken clouds

Month	High (°C)	Low (°C)	Rainfall (mm/day)	Sunshine (hrs/day)
☀️ Jan	21.39	14	1.3	11.95
☀️ Feb	21.52	13.52	1.92	10.37
🍂 Mar	18.71	10.57	1.93	9.15
🍂 Apr	16.83	9.63	1.54	8.34
🍂 May	13.92	6.41	1.55	6.12
❄️ Jun	12	6.42	1.82	5.44
❄️ Jul	11.07	4.3	2.58	6.19
❄️ Aug	11.82	4.02	1.48	7.68
🌸 Sep	14.75	6.16	2.11	8.9
🌸 Oct	16.44	7.55	1.94	10.44
🌸 Nov	17.63	9.82	1.5	11.5
☀️ Dec	20.71	12.56	1.85	10.94

Living in Christchurch Central

Is Christchurch Central a good place to live?

Map

Livability Breakdown

Property & Economics

Key Financial Indicators (NZD)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools & Enrolment Zones in Christchurch Central

Schools in zone for Christchurch Central

Christchurch Adventist School

Burnside High School

Christchurch Boys' High School

Christchurch Girls' High School -Te Kura o Hine Waiora

Elmwood Normal School

Middleton Grange School

Te Puna Wai o Waipapa - Hagley College

He Tīwai Mātauranga Heaton Normal Intermediate

Hillview Christian School

Marian College

Check your school zone

School Zone Checker

Other nearby schools

The Cathedral Grammar School

Christ's College

St Mary's School (Christchurch)

St Michael's Church School

Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery

St Margaret's College

Christchurch East School

Ferndale Te Ahu

Selwyn House School

Rangi Ruru Girls' School

Catholic Cathedral College

Kingslea School

St Albans School

St Albans Catholic School (Christchurch)

St Andrew's College (Christchurch)

Te Hiwa Shirley Primary School

Sacred Heart School (Christchurch)

Addington Te Kura Taumatua

Pareawa Banks Avenue School

Waltham School

Christchurch South Karamata Intermediate School

St Patrick's School (Bryndwr)

Te Aratai College

St Francis of Assisi Catholic School

Te Oraka

Wharenui School

Te Pā o Rākaihautū

Paparoa Street School

Mairehau Primary School

St Teresa's School (Riccarton)

TKKM o Waitaha

Waimairi School

Tūora Fendalton School

Te Huarahi Linwood Avenue School

Whītau School

Medbury Preparatory School

St Mark's School (Christchurch)

St Peter's School Te Kura Haoika

Mairehau High School

Kimihia Parents' College

Te Waka Unua School

Kahikatea Kirkwood Intermediate

Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto

Te Kura o Ōpāwaho – Opawa School

Te Ara Koropiko West Spreydon School

Cashmere High School

Rudolf Steiner School (Chch)

Wairarapa Cobham Intermediate

Ilam School

Southern Health School

Tuia Burnside Primary School

Papanui Primary School

Te Kura o Mōkihi Spreydon School

Te Kura o Huriawa Thorrington

Papanui High School

TKKM o Te Whanau Tahi

Things to do(108)