The Canterbury Provincial Council Buildings – Victorian Gothic Revival charm.

The only purpose-built provincial government buildings still in existence in New Zealand.

Both for their historical importance and their beauty, this small cluster of fascinating buildings, in easy walking distance from the centre of Christchurch, is treasured by the city.

The Provincial Council Buildings (1858–1865) were designed by Benjamin Mountfort, Canterbury’s leading Gothic Revival architect. Although the style of the buildings looks back to Europe, they also declare their pride of place with the use of local stone and timbers.

They sit beside the meandering River Avon, telling the story of Christchurch’s early European settlement. Maori, too, had recognised this as a prime site. In much earlier times, through three successive waves of Maori settlement, the area was popular because water was easily available. Maori set up camps here while they gathered seasonal food.