The Christchurch region encompasses a large part of south Island. Christchurch is home to natural beauty, history and culture that is experienced by locals and visitors to the area. 

Christchurch is the gateway to New Zealand's South Island. Bordered by hills and the Pacific Ocean, it is situated on the edge of the Canterbury Plains that stretch to the Southern Alps. Christchurch, known for its English heritage is the largest city in the south island and is known as the "Garden City" because of its many beautiful parks, gardens and tree-lined streets. Enjoy the beauty and marvel at the relaxed friendliness of the people as you discover all the things that make Christchurch one of New Zealands most attractive holiday and lifestyle destinations.
Canterbury named one of National Geographic's top adventure destinations

2013 Census
341,469 people usually live in Christchurch City.

• Its population ranks 2nd in size out of the 67 districts in New Zealand.
• Christchurch City has 8.0 percent of New Zealand's population.

Māori population

• 27,768 Māori usually live in Christchurch City. This is an increase of 2,043 people, or 7.9 percent, since the 2006 Census.
• Its Māori population ranks 3rd in size out of the 67 districts in New Zealand.
• 4.6 percent of New Zealand's Māori population usually live in Christchurch City.
  Number of dwellings counted
• There are 131,007 occupied dwellings in Christchurch

Overview of visitor arrivals to Christchurch.

• December 2017 was Christchurch Airport's busiest month ever with 639,000 passengers passing through, around 28,000 more than in December 2016.
• Overall tourism expenditure has increased annually since 2012, reaching $3.03 billion for the year to June 2018.
• In the 2018-19 cruise ship season, there were 92 cruise ship visits in Akaroa Harbour, and 17 smaller vessels in Lyttelton Harbour.