Cathedral Square, Christchurch

Cathedral Square is the central public square in downtown Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand, and is best known as the site of ChristChurch Cathedral and surrounding civic space.

The square functions as an open civic plaza with paved areas, pedestrian circulation and adjacent commercial streets; it is frequently used for public events, markets and as a meeting point within the central city. The square sits at the historic heart of Christchurch and connects to nearby shops, the tram route and civic buildings.

The Anglican cathedral in the square suffered major structural damage during the 2011 Canterbury earthquake and the square and surrounding blocks underwent significant reconstruction and remediation work in the years that followed. Redevelopment of the precinct has combined temporary uses, repaired infrastructure and ongoing decisions about the cathedral’s future.

Cathedral Square sits in central Christchurch at the junction of principal city streets, forming the historic civic centre of the city and within easy walking distance of the Avon River and main commercial thoroughfares.

• Earthquake impact: The Anglican cathedral on the square was heavily damaged in the 2010-2011 Canterbury earthquakes and has been central to long-running restoration and redevelopment discussions.
• Transport and access: A central tram route and pedestrian areas put the square within easy walking distance of surrounding city amenities and transport hubs during normal operating hours.

What to See #

• ChristChurch Cathedral: The Anglican ChristChurch Cathedral occupies the central position in the square and has been the focal point of post-earthquake discussions about repair, restoration and future use.