GENERAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION Early History of Christchurch Christchurch and the wider area have a long history of Māori occupation. The vast network of wetlands and plains of Kā Pakihi Whakatekateka o Waitaha (Canterbury Plains) is inherently important to the history of its early occupation. The area was rich in food from the forest and waterways. Major awa (river) such as the Rakahuri (Ashley), Waimakariri, Pūharakekenui (Styx) and Rakaia were supplied from the mountain fed aquifers of Kā Tiritiri o te Moana (Southern Alps). Other spring-fed waterways such as the Ōtakaro (Avon) meandered throughout the landscape. The rivers teamed with tuna, kōkopu, kanakana and inaka; the wetlands were a good supply of wading birds and fibres for weaving, food and medicine; with the forest supplying kererū, kokopa, tui and other fauna as well as building materials. Ara tawhito (travelling routes) crossed over the landscape providing annual and seasonal pathways up and down and across the plains and in some cases skirting or traversing the swamps. Permanent pā sites and temporary kāinga were located within and around the Plains as Ngāi Tahu established and used the mahinga kai sites where they gathered and utilised natural resources from the network of springs, waterways, wetlands, grasslands and lowland podocarp forests that abounded along the rivers and estuaries. Most of the Canterbury region was purchased from Ngāi Tahu by the Crown in 1848. The Canterbury Association oversaw the systematic European settlement of Canterbury and surveyed the town of Christchurch and rural sections outside of the town boundary. Canterbury Earthquakes 2010-11 The situation with the Canterbury Earthquakes of 2010-11 was summarised by the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission Te Komihana Rūwhenua o Waitaha as follows: ‘On 4 September 2010, at 4:35am, an earthquake of magnitude 7.1 struck Christchurch and the surrounding Canterbury region. The earthquake had an epicentre near Darfield, a small town about 40km west of the Christchurch Central Business District. An aftershock sequence began, which at the time of writing is ongoing. All of the earthquakes were the result of ruptures on faults not known to be active prior to the September event. ….However, many unreinforced masonry buildings were damaged and there was extensive damage to infrastructure. The eastern suburbs of Christchurch and Kaiapoi were seriously affected by liquefaction and lateral spreading of the ground. The September earthquake was followed by four other major earthquakes occurring on Boxing Day 2010, and 22 February, 13 June and 23 December 2011. Of these, the event on 22 February was by far the most serious, resulting in 185 deaths. …’ Severe damage to heritage places caused by the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 has meant unprecedented, rapid loss of items from the New Zealand Heritage List, particularly in Christchurch. Significant historic places have been lost, and many places have been removed from the List. The Heritage New Zealand response to addressing the high number of formal reviews required in post-quake Canterbury, under Section 78 of the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014, has been to adopt a shortened review format report and not cover a detailed historical narrative or land history.

Current Description Knox Church (Presbyterian) is located on a prominent corner site at the busy intersection of one of the four wide avenues traditionally recognised as marking the boundaries of the central city, and the main arterial of Papanui Road – Victoria Street. A lightweight interpretation of the church’s original exterior, the modern seismic-resistant shell is constructed largely of copper sheeting, concrete and glass and sits on a raft foundation that extends three metres out from the edges of the building. Large clear windows provide glimpses of the interior ceiling arches. Post-tensioned concrete buttresses are built where formerly the brick buttresses stood. It was considered an engineering feat never to have been done before when the pre-cast, post tensioned buttresses were lifted over the roof of the church and positioned in place before being connected to the existing timber structure. On the west side, fronting Victoria Street, large faceted bronze doors leading into a glazed vestibule, providing passers-by with views of the original timber interior. Within the western gable, above the interior vestibule is a stained glass window made by Graeme Stewart in 2017-18 and depicting the Canterbury landscape, to replace an earlier stained glass window with that theme that was destroyed in the earthquakes. In contrast to the modern materials and appearance of the exterior, the interior retains its distinctive timber roof form, trusses, and columns. With the wall panelling and some fixtures and fittings, the interior is now all that remains of the original design aesthetic. A recipient of a New Zealand Institute of Architects Incorporated award in 2015, the Knox Presbyterian Church Rebuild is recognised for its modern seismic resisting elements and contemporary treatment of the new gables which allows more light into the Church and provides better views into and out of the building, reflecting the congregation’s desire to connect more with the community. Some moveable items within the church have survived, including pews, communion table and honours board. These all add to the historical value of the church but do not specifically form part of its proposed extent.