STORY TOWN: Christchurch Central

THE WONDERFUL SHAND’S EMPORIUM

Many buildings shifted on their foundations in the Christchurch quakes. This is the only one that moved three blocks!

“Shand’s Emporium is a historic building in the central city of Christchurch, New Zealand. Built in 1860 on land owned by farmer John Shand (1805-1874), the building housed professional offices until its conversion to shops in 1977, when it was named Shand’s Emporium. One of the oldest commercial buildings to remain from the time Christchurch was founded, it was relocated in June 2015 from its original location at 88 Hereford Street to Manchester Street, where it was placed adjacent to another heritage building, The Octagon.” National Library

And have you heard about Paddy McNaughton?

“An Irish convict in the 1800s, McNaughton was deported to Australia for stealing an orange and spent seven years there as a prisoner before coming to New Zealand. Here, he married a Māori princess, started a family and settled in Kaikōura, where he became a whaler.” – “A taste of old Ireland: Irish pub opens in Christchurch heritage building” by Jake Kenny for Stuff



Share your memories and stories

Share your own anecdotes and experiences related to this place (or even the wider area). We are sure we will hear some very interesting stories that we will with share others, if you let us. Where relevant we will contact our sources as your input could enrich our city's historical archives. This is how we buld the our history together.


Everywhere you go in Ōtautahi/Christchurch, stories are waiting to be shared.  People, places and events are the colour and texture, the memory and history that bring life to the place where we stand.

These snippets of history shape our city’s past, present and future.

Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the links to sources and archives we provide. They are full of treasures.

PROJECT PARTNER: 🔗Origin Stories

SUPPORTERS: 🔗Intangible Heritage Fund CCC – 🔗Rāta Foundation – 🔗Box112

POSTER DESIGN: Kōwhai Creative