Category: Christchurch

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Pair of paradise ducks in Christchurch



Two ducks perched on rocks surrounded by calm water in their natural habitat.

Walking around Christchurch Botanic Gardens is always a good idea. I try to visit each time I am in the city centre. This was taken in July (mid winter here in New Zealand). There was frost on the ground but these two ducks weren’t bothered. They were enjoying the water garden. When I captured this photograph I knew the duck on the left was a female Paradise Shelduck (pūtangitangi) as the distinctive white head is easy to spot. I believe the darker coloured duck on the right is a male paradise duck but please correct me if I am wrong in a comment below.



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Bridge of Remembrance Christchurch

A bridge spans a river at night with trees lining the banks and city buildings illuminated in the background.

The Bridge of Remembrance is a war memorial dedicated to those who died in World War I. It’s actually the large archway to the right of the bridge over the River Avon. The archway was built over the east end of the Cashel Street bridge that links Oxford and Cambridge Terraces. Spending a weekend in central Christchurch I was very keen to finally capture some photographs at night. Walking up and down the river this was the best I captured that evening. It was mid November when I took this photograph so a large Christmas tree and lights were just behind the arch. A large tree blocked the view of them from this angle.

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Antigua boat sheds Christchurch

Several colourful kayaks lined up on a dock adjacent to a building, creating a picturesque riverside view.

This photograph was taken from the Antigua Street Bridge. Rows of colourful kayaks out on the deck in front of the Antigua Boat Sheds make for some great contrast. Firstly the bright yellow, blue, green and red plastic kayaks contrast with the green and white stripes of the boat sheds. Secondly the Antigua boat sheds have been used since 1882 compared to the much more modern plastic kayaks. Traditionally flat-bottomed wooden boats were used. They still are to take tourist trips punting on the Avon River.

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Antarctic Mountaineering mural

A painting of a person in a red jacket scaling an icey blue mountain looking up towards the summit.

Walking around the Riverside Market I came around a corner and looked up to see this view. It is one of two murals celebrating Christchurch’s unique status as a gateway city to the Antarctic. It was produced by Oi You and designed and painted by Dcypher/XL Street Murals with help from Jacobyikes. It’s not that obvious in this photograph but it is painted across three walls which gives more of a 3D effect to the artwork. Personally as a non climber with claustrophobia this looks terrifying. Christchurch isn’t just a city with amazing murals like this and I strongly recommend a visit to Riverside Market, especially at lunchtime. It has some of the best food options I have found in the central city.