Show Week and other Christchurch, New Zealand Local Custom Tips

The 2nd Tuesday in November is the annual horse race - the NZ Trotting Cup. The Friday of that week is Canterbury Anniversary Day (it's actually 16 December but who cares) aka Show Day. Both events are held at Addington Raceway.

The Tuesday is the big racing day with many people more interested in their sexy new outfits than the horses. Friday is family day with many family picnics held in the car park and lots of kids running free.

On top of this is the Agricultural & Pastoral (or A&P) show aka the Royal New Zealand Show. There is everything from carnival rides to animal shows and the opportunity to see the latest trade exhibits. On top of all this is a bit of music.

Show Day is typically a hot sunny day (fingers crossed) and a day off work for all Cantabrians.

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The only way you can truely remember what you did is to take lots and lots of photos. In this photo an American couple is taking a picture in front of the Scott Monument.

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Speaking to the masses, though not so often these days, is the Christchurch Wizard aka Ian Brackenbury Channell. He has actually been deemed a "living work of art" and has been doing his thing in Christchurch since after his arrival in 1974.

The Wizard was born in London in 1932 and took degrees in Sociology and Psychology at Leeds University before moving to Australia. He taught sociology at the University of New South Wales before deciding that he was on the wrong side of 'the Ditch' and moved to Christchurch in 1974. He became Wizard of Christchurch in 1980 (he was Wizard of the University of New South Wales in 1969 before his big move) and in 1990 was officially appointed New Zealand's first wizard by Mike Moore, the then Prime Minister of NZ. In an official proclamation signed by the Prime Minister the Wizard was "entitled to wear the appropriate regalia and be required to carry out the duties of national Wizard, namely to protect the Government, to bless new enterprises, cast out evil spities, upset fanatics, cheer up the population, attract tourists and in particular to design and promote a new and improved universe which puts New Zealand on top of the world both physically and metaphysically"

When I was at high school (Hagley High which is close to the middle of town) I used to enjoy the Wizard's regular 'spats' with the Bible Lady (Rene Stanton) - she would be trying to play her Violin whilst the Wizard regaled the masses with his 'view of the world' - speaking of this - the Wizard is infamous for designing the map "No Longer Down Under" which reversed the orientation of the world and put New Zealand on top. His view of the world therefore is most interesting.

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The people of Canterbury or Cantabrians are known for being very one eyed when it comes to sport and any of their sports teams. From the Crudsaders to the Wizards your Cantab in the street will only see the good performance of his/her own team and nothing else. The Cantabs team is always the best - please note that this is not arrogance, this is just self assuredness from many years of doing well at the national games of rugby & cricket. (and a self preservation system when the team has a bad run........)

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It's like a local thing that has become custom but when getting off a Bus after a journey everyone usually says thanks to the driver. This makes for a very friendly atmosphere on the bus service.

The driver generally welcomes you onto the bus and also often waves goodbye. This is a really nice thing about Christchurch - I haven't been to another city where this happens - and the thanks are all genuine.

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Born in Liverpool to Scottish parents Kate Sheppard was a good keen lass who believed that a woman should be active in all parts of her life. She was amongst the first female cyclists in Christchurch (at a time when this sort of thing was frowned upon due to a belief that women were too frail) and led the Women's Sufferage movement in New Zealand. Her work with the Temperence Society and Women's Sufferage movement culminated in the historic event of women being allowed the vote in 1893. After a couple of earlier goes, Sheppard got approx 32000 signatures on her petition to allow women to vote - the number may seem on the small side but this represented almost 1/3 of the total adult female population of the time. Her work is commemerated with a sculpted piece beside the Avon River at the Worcester St Bridge. Definately worth a look from a historical and a women's pride perspective.

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This old english method of having a bloke yelling the news pre newspaper days was trialled a few years ago as a tourism stunt - and it stuck. The Town Crier of Christchurch screams a few items of interest using a very random schedule. When he isn't doing the yelling thing he wanders about the Cathedral Square to chat with visitors and provide a few photo opportunities for those searching for that unusual shot for the trip album.

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