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Kōrero: City public spaces

Cathedral Square, 1875

Image
Cathedral Square, 1875

Christchurch was among a small number of New Zealand towns that was built around a public square, in this case Cathedral Square. It was modelled on European towns, where a central square was a hub of civic life. This sketch shows the south side of Cathedral Square in 1875. Apart from the lone figure, the space is surprisingly devoid of life.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: 1/2-002336; F

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Geoffrey Rice, City public spaces – Public squares, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/artwork/22901/cathedral-square-1875 (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Geoffrey Rice, i tāngia i te 6 April 2010.