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It is not without good cause that Christchurch is described as the most English of New Zealand cities. Punts can be often found gliding down the still Avon River, a grand Anglican cathedral towers over the city square and old fashioned trams trundle down the streets, that all have quaint English names. Christchurch is particularly well known for it’s tranquil gardens, with exquisite flowers, such as chrysanthemums and geraniums, and the perfectly groomed lawns, which seem to never be in any way untidy. The Church of England planned the settlement of Christchurch in 1850, with the thought in mind that the English gentry would take most advantage of the fertile farming land surrounding the township. Christchurch was planned to be a class-structured English town in the South Pacific, as opposed to a wild, lawless outpost, that many of the colonies of the area had become. Instead of building bars and pubs, churches were erected, and by 1862 one would have sworn to be in England when in Christchurch. Though over the years, with migrants, and new industry, the feel of Christchurch slowly changed, today although it looks English, one can be sure they are in New Zealand. The small population of 473 300 seems underestimated, due to the high proportion of tourists inhabiting the city.
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