All about High Street Stories

The Canterbury earthquakes in 2010/2011 irrevocably damaged the High Street precinct, with Victorian and Edwardian streetscapes and lively laneways changed forever, and most of the heritage buildings demolished.

Audio stories on this site celebrate the life and times of this area, from early days as a bustling commercial centre through its decline in the 1970s and ’80s, and later regeneration into a boutique shopping and dining area.

But it's not just about buildings and commerce – you'll also meet some colourful characters who've inhabited High Street over the years.

There are over 90 stories, histories and anecdotes of life in the precinct from architectural heritage through to sordid stories of the red light district.

We couldn’t have done this without help from Our Sponsors

Major Sponsors

  • Heritage New Zealand
  • Vodafone
  • InternetNZ
  • Hitlab
  • NV Interactive

Cultural Sponsors

  • Christchurch City Council
  • Christchurch City Libraries
  • The Film Archive
  • University of Otago
  • The Physics Room
  • Te Papa
  • Ceismic

Photographers and Family collections

  • Doc Ross
  • Alex Wilkin
  • Guhan Ramachandran
  • Hilary Lakeman
  • Christchurch City Council
  • Nola Bartram – Knight Family Collection
  • Cotter Family Collection
  • Kennett Family Collection
  • Mikaela Hood
  • The Bats

Filmmakers

  • Kim Pieters
  • Aden Shillito
  • Martyn Reynolds

Musicians

  • Roy Montgomery
  • rotor+
  • Dave Imlay
  • James Greig
  • David Theobald
  • Tim Brott
  • Doctor Lovegland
  • Headspace

Interviewees

  • Jenny May
  • John Wilson
  • Roy Montgomery
  • Tim Baird
  • Graeme Patching
  • Deric Blackler
  • Derick Andersen
  • Dave Henderson
  • James Scott
  • Julia Morison
  • Jonathan Smart
  • Tony de lautour
  • Rudolf Boelee
  • Robyn Voyce
  • Anna Reid and Tracy
  • Simon Kong
  • Mark Van Roosmalen
  • Karel Adriaens
  • Kristina Pickford
  • Matthew Hennessey
  • Neil Challenger
  • Katharine Watson
  • Nick Paris
  • Paul Stewart
  • Alister Cotter
  • Sam Crofskey
  • Arapata Hohepa Te Au Reuben – Ngai Tuahuriri
  • Johnny Moore
  • Dr. Cliff Mason
  • Paul Kean
  • Sean Joyce
  • Tony, Neroli and Ann Kennett
  • Michael Vincent
  • Jenny Lee

Technical support

  • Martin Nielsen
  • Lucy Holland
  • Vanessa Coxhead