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A Tour of Christchurch New Zealand Aotearoa & Some of the Sights We

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A Tour of Christchurch New Zealand Aotearoa & Some of the Sights We Welcome to a Tour of Christchurch New Zealand Aotearoa & some of the sights we would have liked to have shown you • A bit of history about the Chch FF Club and a welcome from President Jan Harrison New Zealand is a long flight from most large countries New Zealand is made up of two main islands and several very small islands How do we as a country work? • NZ is very multi cultural and has a population of just over 5 million • About 1.6 M in our largest city Auckland • Christchurch has just on 400,000 • Nationally we have a single tier Government with 120 members who are elected from areas as well as separate Maori representation. • Parliamentary system is based on a unitary state with a constitutional monarchy. How has Covid 19 affected us? • Because of being small islands and having a single tier Govt who acted very early and with strong measures Covid 19, whilst having had an impact on the economy, has been well contained • We are currently at level 1 where the disease is contained but we remain in a state of being prepared to put measurers in place quickly should there be any new community transmission. • There are no restrictions on gathering size and our sports events can have large crowds. • Our borders are closed to general visitor entry. • We are very blessed South Island Clubs Christchurch Christchurch Places we like to share with our visiting ambassadors First a little about Christchurch • Located on the east coast of the South Island, Christchurch, whose Maori name is Otautahi (the place of tautahi), is a city of contrasts. The first Maori inhabitants arrived over 1,000 years ago and were moa-hunting tribes. In 1850, the formal European settlement began with the arrival of emigrant ships from England. Today, this city of approximately 400,000 is the second largest in New Zealand. • It is a place where its residents, despite the September 2010, February 2011 and subsequent earthquakes, enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle in a region known for its beauty and English appearance. Within two hours of Christchurch you can ski at world-class resorts, play golf, bungee jump, go mountaineering or biking, hot-air ballooning, rafting, wind surfing, whale-watching and visit wineries and gardens. • The city centre is comfortingly compact and the most delightful central feature is the gently winding Avon River. On its grassy banks, lined with poplars and weeping willows, workers and visitors join street entertainers, seagulls and ducks for lunch in the sun along Riverside Park. • The surrounding farmlands are highly productive with a growing dairying industry, some deer farming, as well as the traditional sheep farms. Among all these are vineyards, olive groves and other horticultural crops. The volcanic Banks Peninsula to the south and east is a sheep farming area and is a popular recreational area with Akaroa, its largest settlement, an attractive tourist town with a French connection to its history. • Visitors are spoilt for choice and residents have a superb outdoor lifestyle at their doorstep. Christchurch has a special Sister Cities relationship with six other cities internationally. Akaroa • Akaroa is a quaint little fishing town situated on the southern side of Banks Peninsula. The town has a distinct French flavour to it. Many street names are of French origin because of its French whaling history. Akaroa is quiet, relaxed and perfect for anyone wishing to unwind from a hectic day in the city. For a little more adventure, try the Akaroa Harbour Cruises, which take you to see a seal colony along with the opportunity to swim with Hectors dolphins. • An unmissable Christchurch experience, the Gondola offers stunning unique views of the city, Lyttelton Harbour and beyond from our summit station situated atop the Port Hills. A great family-friendly spot to explore for locals and visitors, a visit to the Gondola is a must-do activity. • Take in the spectacular 360-degree views and see Christchurch from a different perspective: gaze at the snow- capped Southern Alps, sprawling Canterbury Plains and the sparkling waters of Pegasus Bay and the Pacific Ocean. • The summit station offers plenty to entertain: explore the many walking tracks and wide open spaces amidst fresh air, learn about the history of the area on the Time Tunnel ride (entry is free with your Gondola ticket or Annual Pass), and indulge in a spot of shopping at our well-priced gift shop. Sit back and take in the fantastic views with a snack from the licensed Red Rock Café. Christchurch Gondola Firemen’s Memorial The Firefighters Reserve in Christchurch was established in memory of those who perished in the September 11 tragedy. The reserve features a dramatic sculpture fashioned from 5 tonnes of structural steel salvaged from the site of the World Trade Centre following the towers’ collapse on September 11, 2001 in terrorist attacks on New York City, New York, USA. The reserve commemorates the sacrifice of the 343 Fire Department of New York firefighters who lost their lives when the towers collapsed, as well as the sacrifices of firefighters worldwide in the service of their communities. The reserve was commissioned during the opening ceremonies of the World Firefighters’ Games VII (dubbed the Memorial Games) held in Christchurch 26 October to 2 November 2002. • Lyttelton (Māori: Ōhinehou) is a port town suburb of Christchurch on the north shore of Lyttelton Harbour, Banks Peninsula, which is on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. • Because of its establishment as a landing point for Christchurch-bound seafarers, Lyttelton has historically been regarded as the ‘Gateway to Canterbury’ for colonial settlers. The port is the South Island's principal goods transport terminal. • Lyttelton is the largest settlement on Lyttelton Harbour, an inlet on the north-eastern side of Banks Peninsula extending 18 km inland from the southern end of Pegasus Bay. The town is situated on the lower slopes of the Port Hills, which form the northern side of the harbour and effectively separate Lyttelton from the city of Christchurch. This steep-sided crater rim acts as a natural amphitheatre and a boundary to urban development. • A tunnel through the Port Hills provides direct road access to Christchurch, 12 km to the north-west. The suburb of Sumner is some 6 km to the north-east. Another settlement at Governors Bay lies 10 km to the west and a ferry service connects the suburb of Diamond Harbour on Lyttelton the southern shore of the harbour. • The uninhabited Quail Island sits in the upper harbour southwest of Lyttelton. • Located next to Christchurch International Airport, and open every day of the year, the International Antarctic Centre has a huge range of experiences guaranteed to entertain the whole family. • Be chilled in our incredible Antarctic storm room. Be thrilled on an all-terrain vehicle tour. Make friends with penguins and huskies. Learn about the first expeditions, modern day life on Scott Base and the future of humanity on the ice. Be amazed through the big screen ice tour and astonished within the immersive 4D theatre. • In just a few hours here the icy continent will create memories to last a lifetime. It’s cold. It’s cool. It’s waiting to be discovered by you. Antarctic Centre Play 1. New Zealand Fun Animation.mp4 Play 2. New Zealand To Do Animation.mp4 Farewell Noho iho ra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbDf0YG2xnA.
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