New to Christchurch?

Have you just moved to Christchurch? Are you a migrant? Do you need information to help you settle in the city? Look no further.

Our online guide has all the key information you need to help you get settled, from transport to banking, tax to medical care.

Use the menu on the left to browse through the guide. We hope you find it useful as you make a new life here in Otautahi, Christchurch.

Message of Welcome from The Mayor of Christchurch, Bob Parker

A very warm welcome to all new migrants to our City. Christchurch is a friendly place and we are very happy that you have made your home here. It's because of the importance we place on making sure you have a good start to your new life in Christchurch that we have produced the Migrants Guide to Christchurch.

Christchurch is a multi-cultural city, with people from over 165 ethnicities making it a vibrant and colourful place to live and work. In fact over 20% of our residents were born overseas.

I appreciate that starting a new life in a new country is a challenging time, and I hope that the information in this Guide will help you and your family to feel at ease in your new home.

My very best wishes for a long and successful future in Christchurch.

Message of Welcome from The Kaiwhakahaere (Chair) of Ngāi Tahu, Mark Solomon

Te Waipounamu, the Greenstone Isle or the South Island is a wonderful place. Its rich history is intertwined with Ngāi Tahu people who hold the rangatiratanga or the tribal authority to over 80 per cent of the South Island.

Ngāi Tahu means the “people of Tahu” and all Ngāi Tahu can trace their ancestry back to one man - Tahupotiki - the founder of Ngāi Tahu.

Over the years, Ngāi Tahu have welcomed many people to this land and in particular to the city of Otautahi, or Christchurch. You now join all these others in becoming a Cantabrian and it is your turn to be welcomed to this wonderful city. Enjoy our city and enjoy the lifestyle and benefits of living in Otautahi.