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Christchurch Local Customs

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Christchurch Travel Guide

Christchurch Local Customs

The Crusaders are well loved in Christchurch. - Christchurch
The Crusaders are well loved in Christchurch.
by Kakapo2
Learn the local customs of Christchurch. Tips and photos posted by real travelers and Christchurch locals.
Local Time 4:59 am Thursday, July 10, 2008
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Christchurch Local CustomsTips 1 - 10 of 43  
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Wizard: The Wizard
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  • Updated By fishandchips on April 5, 2006
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  • The Wizard - Christchurch
    The Wizard
    by fishandchips
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    Speaking to the masses, though not so often these days, is the Christchurch Wizard aka Ian Brackenbury Channell. He has actually been deemed a "living work of art" and has been doing his thing in Christchurch since after his arrival in 1974.

    The Wizard was born in London in 1932 and took degrees in Sociology and Psychology at Leeds University before moving to Australia. He taught sociology at the University of New South Wales before deciding that he was on the wrong side of 'the Ditch' and moved to Christchurch in 1974. He became Wizard of Christchurch in 1980 (he was Wizard of the University of New South Wales in 1969 before his big move) and in 1990 was officially appointed New Zealand's first wizard by Mike Moore, the then Prime Minister of NZ. In an official proclamation signed by the Prime Minister the Wizard was "entitled to wear the appropriate regalia and be required to carry out the duties of national Wizard, namely to protect the Government, to bless new enterprises, cast out evil spities, upset fanatics, cheer up the population, attract tourists and in particular to design and promote a new and improved universe which puts New Zealand on top of the world both physically and metaphysically"

    When I was at high school (Hagley High which is close to the middle of town) I used to enjoy the Wizard's regular 'spats' with the Bible Lady (Rene Stanton) - she would be trying to play her Violin whilst the Wizard regaled the masses with his 'view of the world' - speaking of this - the Wizard is infamous for designing the map "No Longer Down Under" which reversed the orientation of the world and put New Zealand on top. His view of the world therefore is most interesting.

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    Local People: Don't forget the bus driver.
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  • Updated By knerten on July 22, 2004
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  • People in Christchurch are usually very friendly and accomodating to foreigners asking strange or stupid questions, but here's something about the way they are friendly among themselves so to speak:
    When people get off the bus, they say thank you to the driver. Not only a silently mumbled thanks when they happen to pass the driver at the front, and only the driver can hear it, no, when they get off at the back door, people will yell it to the front and maybe even do a hand wave. Cool!
    So, usually, you say thanks or thank you, and the bus driver goes cheers mate, or you go cheers and the bus drivers says thanks.
    I like this custom. Everybody does it, young and old, except maybe for foreign students. It's weird, but it makes me smile every time.

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    Local People: What a friendly place this is!
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  • Updated By knerten on July 22, 2004
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  • People are extremely friendly here, extreeeeeemly. Don't get that in Norway. Even my first impression, the customs officer, let alone the MAF people screening and searching my luggage for food at arrival and seizing the sausages I had brought with me from Singapore, they did it with a smile. I didn't even feel like I had been caught doing something I shouldn't have. If you've ever been to the US lately, you will know the difference.
    Now, I've heard different tales from other parts of NZ, but as far as Chch goes I am really taken aback by all the friendly people around here.
    I almost would like to move here, if it weren't for the trouser thing, as explained in this forum posting.

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    Local People: Kate Sheppard
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  • By fishandchips on April 6, 2006
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  • Kate bringing the signatures to Parliament - Christchurch
    Kate bringing the
    signatures to Parliament
    by fishandchips
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    Born in Liverpool to Scottish parents Kate Sheppard was a good keen lass who believed that a woman should be active in all parts of her life. She was amongst the first female cyclists in Christchurch (at a time when this sort of thing was frowned upon due to a belief that women were too frail) and led the Women's Sufferage movement in New Zealand. Her work with the Temperence Society and Women's Sufferage movement culminated in the historic event of women being allowed the vote in 1893. After a couple of earlier goes, Sheppard got approx 32000 signatures on her petition to allow women to vote - the number may seem on the small side but this represented almost 1/3 of the total adult female population of the time. Her work is commemerated with a sculpted piece beside the Avon River at the Worcester St Bridge. Definately worth a look from a historical and a women's pride perspective.

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    Useful Tips.......Emergency number: Buskers' Festival
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  • By rozehill on January 19, 2004
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  • Festival of Buskers - Christchurch
    Festival of Buskers
    by rozehill
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    One of the highlights of the Christchurch summer is the start of the World Buskers Festival, which sees the public squares and malls of the city become the stage for talented performers from all over the world. The 11th annual New Zealand Community Trust WORLD BUSKERS FESTIVAL began on January 15 and runs for 10 days.

    Festival Programmes available now from Arts Centre Info, City Council
    Service Centres and City Libraries.

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    Local People: Locals and tourists play chess on Cathedral Square
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  • Updated By martin_nl on September 24, 2004
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  • Play a game of chess with the locals - Christchurch
    Play a game of chess with the
    locals
    by martin_nl
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    If you feel bored or want to make some new friends, go to Cathedral Square and see if you can play a game of chess with the locals. Some of the pieces are rather big, so if you have little kids, just replace some pieces with them and you might be able to cheat and win, by telling them to move around the board in your advantage ;)))

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    Local People: On the Bus
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  • Updated By fishandchips on February 28, 2006
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  • It's like a local thing that has become custom but when getting off a Bus after a journey everyone usually says thanks to the driver. This makes for a very friendly atmosphere on the bus service.

    The driver generally welcomes you onto the bus and also often waves goodbye. This is a really nice thing about Christchurch - I haven't been to another city where this happens - and the thanks are all genuine.

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    Useful Tips.......Emergency number: Just opened on 10 May 2003
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  • By rozehill on May 15, 2003
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  • Art Gallery - Christchurch
    Art Gallery
    by rozehill
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    Open 10.00 till 17.00 daily
    Wednesdays till 21.00
    This beautiful gallery is located in the heart of the City's cultural precinct, within Worcester Boulevard, Gloucester and Montreal Streets.
    The new facility features two floors of exhibition space, educational activity areas, an auditorium, a café and bistro, two retail outlets, a sculpture garden and underground parking.
    Admission free

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  • Phone: 941 7300

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    Wizard: Wizard
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  • Updated By rozehill on April 15, 2003
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  • wizard - Christchurch
    wizard
    by rozehill
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    Wizard of New Zealand, classified by art galleries and critics as a Living Work of Art, designer of the Post-Modern Cosmology, theorist of the Fun Revolution, founder of the Imperial British Conservative Party, role-model for Post-Feminist men, and Metaphysical Engineer. He stands in the Cathedral Square and talks openly to the public. He never fails to attract an audience!!

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    Maori: Maori Art Gallery in the Arts Centre
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  • Updated By martin_nl on September 24, 2004
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  • Maori Art Gallery - Christchurch
    Maori Art Gallery
    by martin_nl
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    If you are looking for some Maori Art, the arts centre is a very good place to buy something genuine. Prices aren't cheap though, but if money isn't too much of a problem I suggest buying it here. It looks great and the artists at this particular place make everything in front of your eyes.

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    Overview
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    Warnings or Dangers
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    Local Customs
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