Christchurch Travel Guide

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Project Re:Start Brings (Colorful) Retail Back to Christchurch

Where: Cashel Street, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
December 13, 2011 at 4:25 PM | by | Comments (0)

While much of the “red zone” in the city center of Christchurch remains empty of people (save for the demolition crews checking the abandoned buildings that still make up a large part of the area), we came across a little rehabilitation project right at the edge that’s bringing life and color back to the devastated city, Project Re:Start.

Project Re:Start is kind of like a pop-up mall made up of purpose-built, brightly colored shipping containers that have been arranged and stacked along Cashel Street and converted into shops and cafes. The project was financed with NZ$3.36 million from a the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal fund.

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Christchurch Suffers 6.3 Magnitude Earthquake; Air New Zealand Pledges help

February 22, 2011 at 8:37 AM | by | Comments (0)

Yesterday in New Zealand—or what is today to most of the world—a 6.3-strength earthquake right right underneath the city of Christchurch, causing much destruction and at least 65 deaths. Both the city's Anglican and Catholic cathedrals were partially destroyed in addition to many other downtown buildings and Christchurch's airport terminal has suffered damage. Currently the airport is open only to emergency aid flights, after over 1,000 travelers and airport staff were evacuated following the quake.

In regards to tourism, Christchurch was enjoying the high point of the summer season, but this earthquake combined with the 7.1 jolt that shook nearby the city back in September are making more than just the tourists nervous. You know we love us some New Zealand Travel, but the country does unfortunately sit right on the Pacific Ring of Fire.

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Christchurch Airport Does Okay on WiFi, If You Keep It Short

April 6, 2009 at 2:01 PM | by | Comments (0)

We love getting some good Airport WiFi tips and what better way to let us know of a decently-equipped airport than by someone in the airport using Twitter. That's what @SEKeener did recently. Sean was in Christchurch and Twittered this:

#Christchurch newzealand airport has 15 min free wifi. Overall, Internet access difficult and exp as traveler in NZ. My only neg about NZ.

When we checked the details, the WiFi coverage at Christchurch Airport might be free for fifteen minutes but it's not that easy to find--there are just a couple of relatively small hotspot areas, although the smart thing is they are centered on departure lounges.

So basically Christchurch Airport gets a reasonable thumbs up but WiFi in New Zealand deserves only a thumbs down from Twitterer Sean. Given that this is the land where airplanes have to wait until traffic controllers finish eating, you can't be too surprised that it's a tricky place to log on.

Related Stories:
· Christchurch International Airport [Official Site]
· You Can't Land Now, We're Eating [Jaunted]
· New Zealand Travel Guide [Jaunted]

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New Zealand's Safe, Isn't It?

April 18, 2008 at 10:00 AM | by | Comments (2)

Our usual mentions of the New Zealand city of Christchurch are about half-naked women riding motorbikes through the streets. Since that sounds somehow inviting, at least for male travelers, we're a little distressed to hear the latest news of out of Christchurch: Tourists with accents sometimes get picked on.

Last weekend, a group of Danish and English tourists got more than heckled--a bunch of local men beat them up, after teasing them by saying "They speak funny, they sound funny." Given how amusing the New Zealand accent itself sounds, it's a real pot calling the kettle black situation here, but tell that to the poor tourists who ended up in hospital.

In the otherwise peaceful town of Christchurch, it was definitely a surprise event, and the locals are definitely worried that their reputation as a safe place to travel is getting tarnished. If it gets worse we'll all need to learn Kiwi English before our next trip.

Related Stories:
· Tourists' Alleged Attackers Bailed [stuff.co.nz]
· Mixed Reviews on Bike Boobs [Jaunted]
· New Zealand Travel Stories [Jaunted]

[Photo: superciliousness]

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Mixed Reviews on Bike Boobs

March 6, 2007 at 9:45 AM | by | Comments (0)


The fallout from the weekend's Boobs on Bikes parade in Christchurch, New Zealand, is all over the local papers there. And most of it's bad news.

First off, there are the school boys who skipped school to catch a glimpse of some nice breasts but got caught when they wound up in a photo on the front page of the local paper. One student eloquently said "It was worth it," while a grandmother of one of the boys added "They were not taking drugs or robbing banks." True.

But sadly the word on the streets is that the boys didn't really get to see much, anyway. Said several Christchurch men: "There were not enough girls and it was all over too soon." Apparently there were a few topless men, too, but the thousands of male onlookers weren't interested. Come on, Christchurch: if you're going to give us Boobs on Bikes, give us plenty of 'em.

[Photo: David Hallett/The Press]

Related Stories:
· Truants Caught at Boobs on Bikes [MSN]
· Crowds Less Than Titillated by Boobs on Bikes [Newstalk Auckland]
· Boobs on Bikes hit Christchurch [The Press]
· Boobs on Bikes Ride Again [Jaunted]

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Boobs on Bikes Ride Again

February 27, 2007 at 10:34 AM | by | Comment (1)


Seems like those Kiwis just can't get enough of a good thing. It was only last August that the first Boobs on Bikes parade had some 30 porn stars (naked, of course) riding motorbikes around Auckland's city center, all to promote the Erotica Lifestyles Expo.

Now it's Christchurch's turn and Cathedral Square is the location for Friday's Boobs on Bikes. There have (again) been a number of complaints, but it seems that riding naked on a motorcycle is not illegal, and the parade needs no council approval because it's labeled "promotional" rather than "official." Police can only intervene if there's a "breach of the peace." That's possible if around 100,000 onlookers--the number who watched the breasts roll by in Auckland--get too excited.

[Photo: wonderferret]

Related Stories:
· Christchurch Police Urged to Stop Boobs on Bikes [Stuff NZ]
· NZ Appreciates the Human Form [Jaunted]

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