The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora

One of the oldest buildings of Canterbury College which subsequently became the prestigious Canterbury University. The University is now centered in its modern campus to the West of the centre of the city and, after extensive renovation following the Christchurch Earthquake in 2011 this building has become an Arts Centre. The Centre also houses an up-market wine bar/restaurant but the must-see is the spectacular stained glass window in the main hall.

A beautiful must-see attraction in Christchurch, featuring history exhibits, arts and crafts shops, and even a hotel. Since major earthquakes in late 2010/early 2011, The Arts Centre has undergone major restoration works. This is a major undertaking and has yet to be completed, with remaining works on the cathedral put on hold due to funding shortages. There is an exhibit which showcases the meticulous and momentous planning and construction work to effectively build a "new" steel and concrete structure under the existing brick facade. I've been told the work rivals that of the restoration of the Notre Dame, and I agree - you can see where the centre has been strengthened to be safe to modern standards, but also where individual components have been reconstructed by hand to remain faithful to the original style.

The best "Must see" in Christchurch! Be sure to go between 9-5 so that you can go up in the observatory hotel to see the Song of the Gods exhibit. Also go up to see the old classroom inside the Canterbury College Baron Rutherford (on the NZ $100 bill) exhibit. 10 stars And the Great Hall... Exquisite!

We stumbled upon the Arts Centre by accident after finding the Quad café, and it turned out to be one of the best surprises of our trip! The café drew us in, but the Arts Centre kept us exploring for hours. The place is full of hidden treasures. We wandered through the Central Gallery, checked out Rutherford’s Den science center, and browsed the gift shop, which was packed with quirky, creative finds. There’s even a cinema, though we didn’t have time to catch a film. Plus, the Buskers Festival was happening, so the whole area was buzzing with street performers. There were also public art installations—think sculptures and creative outdoor displays that made the space feel vibrant and alive. We also saw the Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities- small but had significant artifacts. The buildings themselves are absolutely stunning—classic Gothic architecture that feels like a mix of Harry Potter and Edinburgh. Everything is so well-preserved, and just walking around was a treat. Sadly, we missed the Great Hall because it was closed for rehearsals, but that just gives us a reason to go back. And the best part? It’s completely free to visit! Whether you’re into art, history, or just want to soak up the atmosphere, the Arts Centre is a total must-see.

Historic place with majestic buildings. Great atmosphere. Visited again and every time I am impressed with the building, atmosphere and exhibits. The Rutherford den is also interesting.

Awesome to see the floating house. Brilliant idea!

Interesting exhibits and shops in several of the buildings. The stories of the quake and renovation process are very interesting. Fun places to wander around and good cafe options as well.

Went on the official walking tour of the Arts Centre led by Tawera who was brilliant. We learnt so much about the centre and the view from the observatory was amazing.