The 175th anniversary of the arrival of the Canterbury Pilgrims is a significant milestone for the Canterbury region in New Zealand. This event commemorates the arrival of the first European settlers, known as the Canterbury Pilgrims, who arrived in Lyttelton Harbour in December 1850.
The settlers played a crucial role in shaping the development and culture of the Canterbury region.
Purpose: These settlers were part of a planned settlement by the Canterbury Association, which aimed to create a model Anglican society in New Zealand.
Arrival: The Canterbury Pilgrims arrived on four ships: the Charlotte Jane, the Randolph, the Sir George Seymour, and the Cressy. The ships departed from Plymouth, England, in September 1850. The journey took approximately three months, with the ships arriving in Lyttelton Harbour between December 16 and December 27, 1850.
Reception: The settlers were greeted by a small group of earlier arrivals and local Māori. The initial reception included setting up temporary shelters and beginning the establishment of the settlement.
The early settlers faced numerous challenges, including harsh weather, unfamiliar terrain, and the need to quickly establish infrastructure and homes.
Establishing the Settlement:
The port town of Lyttelton served as the initial landing point and base for the settlers.
Some of the settlers soon moved inland to establish Christchurch, which was planned as the main city of the Canterbury settlement. The early years involved building roads, homes, and public buildings, as well as establishing farms and businesses.
Legacy: The arrival of the Canterbury Pilgrims laid the foundation for the development of Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region, shaping its cultural and social landscape. Their story is a testament to the resilience and determination of the early settlers.
175 Year Commemoration: While the anniversary events are centered around the date of the arrival of the First Four Ships, it also is a recognition of all settlers and ships that arrived before 1876.
The Canterbury Pilgrims Association will be commemorating the 175th Anniversary in various ways, eg. members dress up, our annual pilgrimage to the Pilgrims Rock in Lyttelton, a dinner, and we hope for a passion project that we could do for members to be able to look back on with pride when it is all over.
It is also to be confirmed that 2 more sailing ships are coming in December 2025.
The Christchurch City Council has tentatively indicated that there will be some sort of official event/s in recognition of the anniversary.
More news about the 175th Anniverary Commemorations can be found here.
Have a look back on what our city was doing for our centenary in 1950: 1950 Centennial Celebration
Did you know that our 175th Anniversary
is called a demisemiseptcentenary?