Christchurch City Council has spent nearly $150,000 on ‘cultural markers’ in the central city.  

They will be installed at four locations around the central city.

One will be located at the Margaret Mahy Playground, one near the Bridge of Remembrance, Victoria Square, and the Promenade near Christchurch Hospital.

They each stand three metres tall and will sit alongside storyboards highlighting the cultural significance and history of each location.

On the council’s website it said “learning about the cultural heritage of Ōtautahi-Christchurch is about to get easier for residents and visitors alike.”

Christchurch City Council has worked with Ngāi Tūāhuriri advisory organisation Matapopore on the design and storyboards.

Council Head of Transport Lynette Ellis said “the cultural markers and associated storyboards will bring Ōtautahi’s cultural narrative to life and hopefully take people on a journey of discovery.”

“There will be visual storytelling as well as audio recordings at each of the sites.”

“We hope it will enrich the central city experience for visitors to our city and make it easier for residents to learn about Ōtautahi’s rich history and heritage from pre-European times through to modern-day.”

Ellis said The five cultural markers have cost a total of approximately $149,300 for supply and installation.  

“She said the Matapopore costs for the Tohu Whenua cannot be separated out as Matapopore were engaged to work with Council on the entire Heritage component of the Central City Wayfinding Project not just the Tohu Whenua.”

A fifth cultural marker is planned for Cathedral Square, but that will not be installed until the area has been redeveloped.

One cultural marker has already gone into the Avon Loop area of the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor Regeneration Area.