They were items being sold in the Fisher’s store which was fantastic, we could see what was being sold in an 1880s store in Christchurch, and one of the most exciting finds was a whole lot of clay pipes.

Katharine Watson

Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Archaeological Authority

Heritage New Zealand has a statutory role in administering Historic Places Act 1993, which provides protection for archaeological sites. Archaeological sites are defined as any place associated with pre-1900 human activity, where there is material evidence relating to the history of New Zealand. As a result Heritage New Zealand has been working with the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority, councils, insurance companies, contractors and landowners to provide advice about our heritage places. Archaeologists have been documenting pre-1900 buildings and monitoring earthworks during the demolition of buildings in the central city and in other parts of Christchurch and Canterbury where archaeological values have been identified. Ngāi Tahu have been involved at sites where the potential for Māori archaeology is identified.

Fisher's Building was constructed for Reverend T.R. Fisher, a former Wesleyan minister.  Upon his arrival in Christchurch in 1857 he established a grocery store in a wooden building on the corner of High and Hereford Streets. In 1859 he resumed his ministerial career; he retired from business in 1871. This building was erected to replace the previous wooden store that had stood on the triangular site at the intersection of High Street and Hereford Street since Fisher opened his store in 1857.

Later James George Hanafin established a pharmacy in Fisher's Building, which was taken over by his son in 1920. In 1981 James's grandson, Lawry Hanafin opened a one-hour photographic shop in the same premises. When the Hereford Street facade of the building was repaired in 1989 important parts of the original fabric including Corinthian columns, an embossed drainpipe and original stonework, were discovered and restored.