Throwback Thursday
The South Island's first shopping mall opened on Riccarton Rd in 1965.
Christchurch property manager Reuel Livingstone developed the concept for Riccarton Mall from shopping centres in Australia. His new, self-contained shopping centre included 66 stores and parking for 600 cars. Many property purchases and building additions, and with the new name of Westfield, it is still one of New Zealand's leading malls.
At first, almost surrounded by houses and vacant sections, it now covers the block bounded by Riccarton Rd and Matipo, Maxwell and Rotherham streets.
We don't have a current aerial photo of the mall, but the second photo attached below shows the mall in 2012 and how much the landscape had changed since the 1960s.
Poll: Canterbury is thriving on paper... but are you seeing evidence of Canterbury's improving economy?
As reported in the Press, Reserve Bank Governor Anna Breman recently gave a shout-out to our region, calling Canterbury a "stand-out" for how we recover from tough times. With tech firms growing and exporters investing, the business side of things is looking bright!
👉 But we know that "business growth" doesn't always mean the weekly shop gets any cheaper. While the city expands, many families feel like they’re just trying to keep their heads above water.
We want to know: With the business buzz of 2026, do you feel like things are finally looking up for your household, or does it still feel like a climb?
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0% Yes
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0% No
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0% In some areas ...
🧩😏 Riddle me this, Neighbours…
I am an odd number. Take away a letter and I become even. What number am I?
Do you think you know the answer?
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Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
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