History of Cantabury

First know people to live in Christchurch

Jan 2, 1000

First people to live in Christchurch were Moa Hunters. And by 1450 all Moa had been hunted to extinction

First North Island Maoris

Jan 1, 1600

Between 1500-1700 the first North Island Maoris came to Canterbury and either put the Moa hunters into tribes or killed them.

First European contact in Canterbury

Feb 16, 1770

Captain Cook, onboard the Endevour, spotted what they thought was and island which they named Banks Island, but it turned out to be what we now know as Banks Peninsula.

First settling on plains

Apr 9, 1840

James Herriot from Sydney took two small groups of farmers to the plains to set up a farm. Their first crop was succesful, but after that rats and disease took over and they left.

Discussion of the development of Canterbury.

Nov 9, 1847

John Robert Godley and Edward Gibbon Wakefield met to discuss the settlement of Canterbury. They thought that Canterbruy could be set up before more immigrants arrived.

First of four ships, Charlotte Jane, arrived

Dec 16, 1850

The Charlotte Jane arrived on the morning of this day and was greeted by Godley and Sir George