Kia ora, welcome to Ōtautahi if you are in town for the WORD Christchurch Writers and Readers Festival. Here’s some things to check out while you are here.
Hunting the art
Check out these woolly guys just across the road in Latimer Square.
The newest Christchurch Art Gallery exhibition (upstairs at 209 Tuam Street – C1 Espresso/Alices) is Edwards + Johann: Rebels, Knights and Other Tomorrows: “Vividly imagined photographic sequences featuring elaborately costumed warrior knights and rocks suspended in jewel-like voids combine with sculptural elements”. See also the ArtBox on the corner of Madras and St Asaph Streets.
Christchurch Art Gallery has done an awesome job of taking art outside too. And there is some ultra-stellar work on the streets of town by artists like Wongi, Yikes, and Ikarus. Sydenham and New Brighton are the suburbs to visit if you want more street art action.
Pop into the library (includes more art)
Central Library Manchester (not open on Sunday) and Central Library Peterborough are both pretty handy. There is free wifi. Plus Christchurch Art Gallery’s exhibition – part of the Festival – Proceed and Be Bold: The Pear Tree Press is on at Central Library Peterborough. It’s an exhibition of beautifully crafted, designed and hand-printed books from New Zealand’s most renowned private press.
Explore our website for local history if you want to find out more about Christchurch.
Visit the Gardens and the Museum
A favourite local outing is a visit to the Canterbury Museum and the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. Highlights are the daffodils, the new Visitor Centre at the Botanic Gardens, gaudy, gorgeous Peacock fountain, the re-opened conservatories, and the interesting Christchurch Antarctic collection at the Museum – a couple of new Antarctic exhibitions open on Saturday 30 August.
Take a pic in a big chair
A great photo op for you book-loving types is the Reading Room on Gloucester Street (close to New Regent Street which has gorgeous Spanish Mission architecture, and cafes).
Food & drink
The venues in close proximity to the Festival (as recommended in the brochure):
At Rydges Latimer (the venue for many sessions)
High Street
New Regent Street
Barbadoes Street
Madras Street
If you want to explore more things to do in Christchurch, try:
Any other tips locals would suggest? Share them here!
Christchurch City Libraries Blog 
Don’t forget “Chapman’s Homer”! https://www.facebook.com/BackTheBull
Good call – it is out the front on the Christchurch City Council on the Worcester Street side isn’t it. Well worth a look!