The Canterbury Horse Bazaar

The Horse Bazaar was actually a horse auction house.  It was where people would buy and sell horses but it was also where you could leave a horse if you were coming into town in the 19thcentury. If you came in as a farmer, wife and family you didn’t come into town in your car, as you do today, you came in your horse and trap and you could house it at the Horse Bazaar while you perhaps stayed at the local Christchurch Club or one of the close hotels.

Jenny May

The Horse Bazaar was associated with a successful early Christchurch company Matson and Co. - which "has sold more land than any other auctioneering firm in Canterbury", according to the New Zealand Cyclopaedia in 1900. The former Canterbury Horse Bazaar was unique in Christchurch. As the only remaining horse auction house it was a reminder of the importance of horses for both personal and commercial transportation in the early 20th century.

  • Image: Christchurch City Council
  • Image: Christchurch City Council
  • Image: Christchurch City Council
  • Image: Christchurch City Council
  • Image: Christchurch City Council
  • Image: Christchurch City Council
  • Image: Christchurch City Council
  • Image: Christchurch City Council

Building information

The Canterbury Horse Bazaar
141 Lichfield Street
Architect: A.W Fielder
Date: 1903
Previously a Category 1 registered place