Early Canterbury Timeline

By budgendi15
  • Jan 1, 1000

    First people arrive in Canterbury

    First people arrive in Canterbury were moa hunters and cleared large forests.
  • Jan 1, 1450

    Most moa killed off

    Most moa were killed off by first people in 1450AD
  • Jan 1, 1500

    North Island Maori arrive

    North Island Maori (Ngai Tahu and Ngati Mamoe) arrive in Canterbury, remaining moa hunter were killed or taken into tribes

  • Captain James Cook discovers Canterbury

    On Captain James Cook's endeavor on his ship discovers banks peninsula and thinks it is a island.

  • First Europeans set foot on Banks Peninsula

    First Europeans which were sailors from the sealing company set foot on Banks Peninsula

  • Maori population falls

    New Zealand wars between tribes and Europaen diseases such as measels and influenza causes Maori population to fall.

  • First attempt of settling

    The first attempt was made by James Herriot of Sydney with farmers to set up crops but plague of rats made them leave.

  • Major Thomas Bunbury arrives at Canterbury

    Major Thomas Bunbury arrives at Canterbury to get signatures of Ngai tahu chiefs for the treaty of waitangi and receives two signatures.

  • Captain Owen Stanley settles

    Captain Owen Stanley raises the british flag in Akaroa before 63 French colonists arrive.

  • First house built

    William and John Deans build the first farm and name the area Riccarton.

  • Canterbury Accosiation formed

    Canterbury Accosiation name first settlement Christchurch.

  • First major ships of settlers arrive

    First of the major ships dock in Lyttleton and were met by John Robert Godley and Lady Grey.

  • Christchurch Boom years

    Christchurch's growing wealth and prospierity had a huge impact on the city, more banks opened.

  • Christchurch Cathedral built

    Canterbury accociation build Christchurch Cathedral and finish in 1904.