The Masterplan

The City Council’s logo uses the contrast between the built form of the cathedral and the curves of the river to define the character of the city.

Introduction

The Avon River/Ōtakaro meandering among lawns and trees is a Christchurch icon.

The river itself is the only feature of the prehistoric landscape of the central city that can still be enjoyed in anything near its original natural state. Its naturalness and ecological integrity have been valued since the area was first settled.

Early Māori chose to live here because of the rich resources of the river and surrounding wetlands, Nga-pakihi-whakatekateka-o-Waitaha.

In 1843 early Scottish settlers at Riccarton, William and John Deans, gave the river its European name after the Avon River in Ayrshire, Scotland.

In 1850 the Canterbury Association chose the land around the river to be the main city of the Canterbury settlement. Their prime requisites were a dry, healthy spot, easily drained, with good water, and with timber and building stone nearby. A location at the head of the navigation of the Avon was seen as being of overwhelming importance.
(OL Eatwell (1968): Captain Joseph Thomas and the Canterbury Settlement - University of Canterbury thesis)

The significance of the river as a focus for civic identity is reflected in the number of heritage buildings and places lining its banks.

During the past 150 years the river setting has been transformed into a showpiece of the Christchurch Garden City ideal, an oasis in the heart of a busy city.