A long extinct volcano, Lyttelton Harbour is home to the South Island's biggest multi-purpose port. Lyttelton is a picturesque, bustling port town, reflective of its founding settlement past with turn-of-the-century weatherboard cottages and stone buildings nestled into the hillside. Originally called Port Cooper, Lyttelton Harbour, or Te-Whaka-raupo (the harbour of the bulrush reeds) was home to Maori for about 1,000 years before Captain Cook on the Endeavour's first voyage to New Zealand, sighted the peninsula on 16 February 1770.
In 1848 the Canterbury Association was formed and its mission was to found a Church of England Colony in New Zealand. Lyttelton was chosen because of its suitability as a port and the availability of a large area of flat land just over the hill; the extensive Canterbury Plains. An official proclamation on August 30, 1849 established the town as a recognised port and a 150ft long by 15ft wide wharf was constructed, putting it on the shipping map.
The first four ships of immigrants arrived soon after. The influx of people from every walk of life made an impressive new colony.
| | In 1877, the Lyttelton Harbour Board was established and was responsible for the management of the harbour. The Port Companies Act 1988 separated the commercial and non-trading roles of the Harbour Board, which was abolished in 1989. Lyttelton Port Company was formed in late 1988 to manage the port in the same manner as any other commercial business. In July 1996, the company listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange and now has a 30 percent public listing. The Christchurch City Council is the single largest shareholder of Lyttelton Port Company. Even now, remnants of the bygone era, particularly of the town's maritime beginnings, are in full view. The old stone dry dock, the last of it's kind in the South Island, sits solidly at the end of the Godley Quay and the eccentric Time Ball Station - a tribute to age old navigation techniques - is perched on a hill, looking over the bustling port. Learn more about the History of the Port |
