Ōtautahi · Canterbury · South Island
Moving to
Christchurch
A flat, green city on the Canterbury Plains with the mountains on the horizon. It has largely rebuilt itself since the earthquakes, and it is still changing.
- 412,000people in the city (June 2024)
- $550/wkmedian rent, all homes
- 2,100sunshine hours a year (about)
- 36,300advanced manufacturing jobs in the region (2019)
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Is Christchurch right for you?
Answer three short questions about work, weekends and winter. It is only a lifestyle check, and it does not predict any visa outcome.
0%
Christchurch could suit you
You like space, practical work and clear seasons, and Christchurch offers all three. Check the job and visa side separately.
Maybe, with a few trade-offs
Christchurch matches part of what you want. Read the weather and good-to-know notes, then compare it with another city.
Look at other places first
Christchurch may not be the closest match for your tastes. Have a look at the other city guides, or ask us to talk it through.
What Christchurch is known for
Swipe through the industries behind the jobs.
Work in Christchurch
Christchurch has a practical, hands-on economy. Manufacturing, food processing, construction, health care and professional services all employ a lot of people. The ChristchurchNZ economy page (undated) says the city has the highest labour productivity in the South Island, and that unemployment in the Canterbury region, not the city alone, is lower than in Auckland and Wellington.
The advanced manufacturing figure is from 2019, the health jobs figure and the productivity and unemployment comments are undated, and the farming share is from ChristchurchNZ's bioeconomy page (undated), so check current vacancies for your field. A job is only possible if your visa allows it. The work visa guide is the place to start.
The weather
Tap a season. The bars show the average daytime high for each month.
22°
average daytime high, December to February
Warm, with highs around 22° in January and February.
17°
average daytime high, March to May
Crisp days and cooling evenings, with highs falling from 20° in March to 15° in May.
12°
average daytime high, June to August
The coldest of the three big cities in our guides, with highs of 11 to 12°. Cold by day and night, so heating matters.
17°
average daytime high, September to November
Warming slowly, with highs rising from 15° in September to 19° in November.
- 23°Jan
- 22°Feb
- 20°Mar
- 17°Apr
- 15°May
- 12°Jun
- 11°Jul
- 13°Aug
- 15°Sep
- 17°Oct
- 19°Nov
- 21°Dec
Source: NIWA climate averages 1991–2020 for Christchurch (mean daily maximum, rounded; seasonal figures are the average of three months, rounded). NIWA's 1991–2020 average sunshine for Christchurch is 2,128.4 hours a year.
Around Christchurch
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What life is like
Christchurch is flat, which makes cycling easy, and its parks and the Avon River run close to the centre. The Port Hills and the beaches are a short drive away. The city has plenty of room, and the pace feels calmer than Auckland.
The earthquakes are part of its story. Te Ara, the government encyclopedia, records that 185 people died on 22 February 2011, that the central city was cordoned off for more than two years, and that part of eastern Christchurch will likely never be reoccupied. The city has since rebuilt, but you will still see its effects. Rent is lower than the other big cities: the median is $550 a week across all homes.
What locals love
- Flat streets that are easy to cycle
- Parks, the Avon River and the Port Hills close to town
- The lowest median rent of the three cities, at $550 a week
- Mountains and lakes within reach for weekend road trips
Good to know
- Winter daytime highs are only 11 to 12°
- The 2010–2011 earthquakes still shape the city and its buildings
- A car is the easiest way to reach many places
- Several economic figures on this page are from 2019 or undated, and some are for Canterbury rather than the city
Visas, study and community
Which visas fit
Christchurch attracts workers, students and families. Common routes are a work visa with an accredited employer, a student visa for study here, and partner or family visas. Your own situation decides which fits, and the rules change, so confirm with Immigration New Zealand.
Work visas → · Study visas → · Partner and family → · Residence →
Costing a move to Christchurch? Work out the INZ fee for your visa with the visa fee calculator.
Immigration New Zealand runs a free information service for new migrants. Its contact centre is on 0508 558 855 (New Zealand landlines only) or +64 9 914 4100 from mobiles and overseas. Most people apply online.
Study
ChristchurchNZ lists the University of Canterbury (engineering, science and technology), Lincoln University (agriculture), the University of Otago's Christchurch campus (medical and health sciences) and Ara Institute of Canterbury.
Ara has campuses including City (130 Madras Street), Woolston (trades) and Manawa (health, beside Christchurch Public Hospital). Check each institution's own site for courses, fees and entry rules.
Community
Christchurch City Council runs Welcoming Communities with Immigration New Zealand, to help newcomers and relocated New Zealanders feel connected. The council has a coordinator and has invited newcomers to share their needs in a survey.
The Christchurch Multicultural Council is a volunteer-run charity that advocates for migrants' settlement and runs ethnic, social, cultural and sports events. It is on the Charities Register.
You can also ask questions in our community forum →
Talk to us from anywhere
You do not need to be in Christchurch to book a free 20-minute chat by phone or video. We explain things in general terms and do not give personal immigration advice.
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