The town hall is now a Category 1 Historic Place on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero.
“Over the past 15 years there has been an effort within Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga to increase the number of modern movement buildings on the list,” says Robyn Burgess, senior heritage assessment advisor.
“Sadly, many in Christchurch were lost as a result of the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010-2011, which is why it is doubly pleasing to see the Christchurch Town Hall – fully repaired and restored – now recognised as a Category 1 historic place.
"The town hall is regarded with great affection, as seen in its successful reinstatement after the Canterbury earthquakes.
"Following a vigorous public campaign, the Christchurch City Council restored the damaged building to 100 per cent of New Building Standard.
“Cantabrians have a special place in their hearts for the town hall as a venue for concerts, graduation ceremonies, school prize givings, Cantamaths competitions, school choir performances, fundraising telethons, and citizenship ceremonies along with a host of other activities."
The listing report for Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga was written by Dr Ian Lochhead, editor of the book, The Christchurch Town Hall 1965 – 2019: A Dream Renewed, published by Canterbury University Press in 2019. The report brings to light just how ground-breaking this building was for its time. Its history is an extraordinary tale of innovation and modernism, local expertise and community engagement.
