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Discover the Biggest Library in Christchurch, New Zealand

3 min read February 1, 2024

Christchurch, New Zealand’s largest city in the South Island, is home to an impressive array of libraries, offering a wealth of resources, historical collections, and literary treasures to its residents and visitors. From grand heritage buildings to modern, state-of-the-art facilities, Christchurch’s libraries provide a welcoming and inspiring space for learning, research, and cultural exploration.

Discover a remarkable selection of libraries in Christchurch, ranging from the historic Canterbury Public Library, with its stunning neoclassical architecture, to the modern Christchurch City Libraries, featuring innovative spaces and cutting-edge technology. These libraries offer a diverse range of materials, including books, periodicals, DVDs, and digital resources, catering to the interests and needs of people of all ages and backgrounds.

Top Library in Christchurch, New Zealand

Christchurch (; Māori: Ōtautahi) is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand and the seat of the Canterbury Region. Christchurch lies on the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula on Pegasus Bay. The Avon River (Ōtākaro) flows through the centre of the city, with an urban park along its banks. The city's territorial authority population is 396,200 people, and includes a number of smaller urban areas as well as rural areas. The population of the urban area is 384,800 people. Christchurch is the second-largest city by urban area population in New Zealand, after Auckland. It is the major urban area of an emerging sub-region known as Greater Christchurch. Notable smaller urban areas within this sub-region include Rangiora and Kaiapoi in Waimakariri District, north of the Waimakariri River, and Rolleston and Lincoln in Selwyn District to the south. The first inhabitants migrated to the area sometime between 1000 and 1250 AD. They hunted moa, which led to the birds' extinction by 1450, and destroyed much of the mataī and tōtara forest. The first iwi to settle the area that would later become known as Christchurch were the Waitaha, who migrated to the area in the 16th century. They were followed later by the Kāti Māmoe, who conquered the Waitaha. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the Ngāi Tahu migrated to the area and subjugated the Kāti Māmoe. Over time the Ngāi Tahu tribe would develop a large pā based around Kaiapoi, which was a major centre for the trade of pounamu.Christchurch became a city by Royal Charter on 31 July 1856, making it officially the oldest established city in New Zealand. The Canterbury Association, which settled the Canterbury Plains, named the city after Christ Church, Oxford. The new settlement was laid out in a grid pattern centred on Cathedral Square; during the 19th century there were few barriers to the rapid growth of the urban area, except for the Pacific to the east and the Port Hills to the south. Agriculture is the historic mainstay of Christchurch's economy. The early presence of the University of Canterbury and the heritage of the city's academic institutions in association with local businesses has fostered a number of technology-based industries. Christchurch is one of five Antarctic gateway cities, hosting Antarctic support bases for several nations.The city suffered a series of earthquakes between September 2010 and January 2012, with the most destructive occurring at 12.51 p.m. on 22 February 2011, in which 185 people were killed and thousands of buildings across the city suffered severe damage, with a few central city buildings collapsing. By late 2013, 1,500 buildings in the city had been demolished, leading to ongoing recovery and rebuilding projects. The city later became the site of a terrorist attack targeting two mosques on 15 March 2019, in which 51 people were killed, and which was described by the Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, as "one of New Zealand's darkest days".

Top Library in Christchurch, New Zealand

Tūranga

  • Address: 60 Cathedral Square, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.8 (784)
  • Phone: +64 3 941 7923
  • Website:
  • Opening hours:
    Monday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
    Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
    Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
    Thursday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
    Friday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
    Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Aranui Library in Christchurch, New Zealand
Aranui Library in Christchurch, New Zealand

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The 10 Best Library near Christchurch, New Zealand

Aranui Library in Christchurch, New Zealand
Aranui Library in Christchurch, New Zealand

South Christchurch Library

  • Address: 66 Colombo Street, Cashmere, Christchurch 8022, New Zealand
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.5 (192)
  • Phone: +64 3 941 7923
  • Website:
  • Opening hours:
    Monday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
    Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
    Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
    Thursday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
    Friday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
    Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Reviews:
    EK Shin✭✭✭✭✭
    a week ago
    It is good place to read books and do other things. I like the peaceful cafe and I had a great time there.
    Thomas Huber✭✭✭✭✭
    2 weeks ago
    Great place to go. If you need some books or DVD’s or if you want to read. Good peaceful atmosphere. Enough space. There are some computers for you to go online or prepare some paperwork which you might print out. And you can try to design things which you may print immediately. There are 3D printers, lasercutters and more which you can experience (only certain days) Highly recommended. But bring some time…
    Alice S✭✭✭✭
    3 months ago
    Open Sunday which makes it a good combo activity with a markets there. Children’s area is a bit small inside, but there is an fenced in outdoor play area which is perfect. Inside is a lovely area with tables to study at, also has a cafe which is a bonus.
    James Butterworth✭✭✭
    3 months ago
    I think of this library as a true library in the sense that there’s loads of great books and you can find a nice corner to sit down and read but a very impractical layout for those wanting to study. For that i prefer the turanga or papanui libraries.
    matthew gibbons✭✭✭✭✭
    11 months ago
    Great library in a lovely setting. Cafe inside. Plenty of seating.

New Brighton Library

  • Address: 213 Marine Parade, New Brighton, Christchurch 8061, New Zealand
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.6 (156)
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The Library at Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre

  • Address: 341 Halswell Road, Halswell, Christchurch 8025, New Zealand
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.7 (143)

Fendalton Library

  • Address: 4 Jeffreys Road, Fendalton, Christchurch 8052, New Zealand
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.6 (125)

Upper Riccarton Community and School Library

  • Address: 71 Main South Road, Sockburn, Christchurch 8042, New Zealand
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.5 (120)

Papanui Library

  • Address: 35 Langdons Road, Papanui, Christchurch 8053, New Zealand
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.5 (116)

Linwood Library at Eastgate

  • Address: First Floor, Eastgate Mall, Eastgate Shopping Centre Level 1, Shop 701/20 Buckleys Road, Linwood, Christchurch 8062, New Zealand
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.5 (110)
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Shirley Library

  • Address: 36 Marshland Road, Shirley, Christchurch 8061, New Zealand
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.5 (92)

Ōrauwhata: Bishopdale Library and Community Centre

  • Address: 13 Bishopdale Court, Bishopdale, Christchurch 8053, New Zealand
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.7 (71)

Hornby Library

  • Address: 8 Goulding Avenue, Hornby, Christchurch 8042, New Zealand
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.7 (68)

Thank you for reading! If you have any additional information on the best Library in Christchurch, New Zealand, please leave a comment above. We would love to hear from you!

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Syarif Muhamad

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5 Replies to Discover the Biggest Library in Christchurch, New Zealand

  1. Went this place for the first time with my family and friends. it was so amazing and have an excellent infrastructure .. Lots of books are available there. A Great place to visit with family and friends .. The atmosphere was very nice and calm seemed like we were in a luxury motel ?
    Then we found that there is also a cafe situated on the ground floor. nice staff and it was yummy food to eat.
    Amazing experience ??

    Reply

  2. Christchurch centre library has many levels with one specifically dedicated to children, on this floor there is heaps of duplo, dress ups and a cave and slide to enjoy.
    The big windows offer great views of cathedral square and there is a viewing platform on the top floor. The cafe on the bottom floor is lovely but can be very busy, the only tricky thing is the parking sometimes is hard to find a park but I believe there is some under the library but it’s no free or cheap.

    Reply

  3. Great library. The staff was very kind and helpful and the place is modern, beautiful and clean. Located conveniently for the locals. Equipped with assorted facilities and services.

    Reply

  4. Excellent facilities, wide selection of books/periodicals/ multimedia and comfortable seating areas. There’s also a cafe on the ground floor. The architecture and visual effect is unlike old libraries of old.

    Reply

  5. So good that my kids asked to come both days of our stay in Christchurch. Large selection of books for all ages; the family area is very warm and welcoming with many cozy places to read. Many planned activities each day. Imagination station is a corner of the family area with Lego pits that was very entertaining.

    Reply

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