Timeline of Canterbury's Early History

By harrisoe15
  • First Inabitants Arrived
    Jan 1, 1000

    First Inabitants Arrived

    Moa Hunters
  • Jan 1, 1450

    Moa Became Extinct

    The Moa became extinct after overkill by the Maori and mass forest fires
  • Early European Contact

    Early European Contact

    Captain James Cook first sighted Canterbury in his ship the Endevour
  • First European Stettlements

    First European Stettlements

    Captain William Rhodes visited New Zealand in 1836 then left only to come back in 1839 and settle in Akaroa with cattle
  • First Ship Arrived

    First Ship Arrived

    The Charlotte Jane

  • Selection days started

  • First Hotel Opened

    Canterbury's first hotel, White Hart Hotel, opened in 1851
  • First School

    First School

  • First Shop is opened

    George Gould opened the first shop in 1851

  • Ferry Service Began

    This is an image of the Collen paddle boat coming from Heathcote in the 1920s. The ferry service started in May of 1851

  • Canterbury's First Anniversary

    Canterbury's first year anniversary was celebrated a year after the first ship arrived on December 16th 1850