Christchurch History By JoeHoole 1000 Moa hunters settled in Christchurch 1642 Abel Tasman discovered the North island(statenland) 1769 Captain cook mapped the whole of New Zealand in series of 3 voyages 1791 First whaling ship in NZ 1839 New Zealand company founded with aim to create English colonies in NZ 1840 First attempt at settling on the Christchurch plains Jun 2, 1840 Treaty of Waitangi signed 1848 Canterbury association was formed and named the capital city Christchurch 1850 Three towns were named, Christchurch, lyttelton and sumner in preparation for first settlers Dec 16, 1850 The first ship the Charlotte Jane arived Jan 6, 1851 First school opened in Lyttelton. Jun 30, 1852 New Zealand Constitution Act was passed in England. New Zealand was divided into six provinces 1862 Christchurch Hospital opened Dec 9, 1867 The tunnel was officially opened as New Zealand’s first rail tunnel. 1900 Canterbury celebrated its jubilee (50 years).