Christ’s College

Surrounded by Hagley Park and the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Christ’s College is New Zealand’s oldest independent school. Established in 1850 as an Anglican boys’ school, the view from Rolleston Ave of its magnificent stone buildings is one of Christchurch’s most enduring images, as are the boys’ black and white striped blazers.

Christ’s College boasts fine examples of New Zealand architecture through the years.  Built in 1863, the oldest building is ‘Big School’, now the Library.  Alongside stands the much-admired Chapel with its stunning stained glass windows. The Memorial Dining Hall (1925) still fulfils its original purpose, and is a ‘masterpiece of collegiate Gothic with carved stone and timbers’.

Guided tours: Oct – mid-Apr, Mon, Wed and Fri, 10am. Book at the College office (just inside the gates) or the Christchurch i-SITE Visitor Centre in Cathedral Square; $5 per adult