About
THE CANTERBURY CLUB
Our History
The Canterbury Club was established in 1872 by a group of twenty prominent Christchurch businessmen. These gentlemen founded the Club to provide a city haven, a private venue where they could meet, discuss business affairs, and socialise.
The first chairman of the Canterbury Club was William Montgomery, a timber merchant and education administrator. In 1872, under his chairmanship, tenders were called for a property on which to build a clubhouse. Twelve sites were considered - including the site of the now-demolished Clarendon Towers - before the clubhouse was built in its current location at 129 Cambridge Terrace. The clubhouse, designed by Frederick Strouts and built by Daniel Reese, is recognised as an historically important heritage landmark building. It was fully restored following the Christchurch earthquakes, and members enjoy its heritage features today.
The club first welcomed female guests in 1894 and held its first ‘Ladies Dining Night’ in 1964. Membership was opened to women in 2002, and today the club is proud to have a significant and active female membership.
The club is proud of its heritage and is indebted to those members who have maintained the traditions, integrity and fellowship that formed the cornerstone of its foundation.
The Canterbury Club Emblem
The club emblem is steeped in history and symbolism. As a whole, it represents an ancient galley, harkening back to the four ships which brought the first colonists to Canterbury in December 1850.
The lamp at the masthead depicts the gas street lamp at the club entrance, the only such city gas street lamp still operating in New Zealand. The wavy lines at the base represent the river Avon, which flows through Christchurch and is a feature in front of the clubhouse, and the crossed lines in the rigging represent the founding members of the club.
Club Membership
The Canterbury Club provides an inner-city sanctuary for its members: a space to relax and socialise, removed from the pressures of professional life. Members enjoy the fellowship of a like-minded community, and may make full use of the clubhouse facilities for personal and professional events.
We have an inclusive and diverse membership, with men and women from a wide variety of professions and demographics. Our current members are in distinguished company; over time, the club has had many illustrious members, including New Zealand Premiers or Prime Ministers from Sir George Grey and Sir Julius Vogel through to Sir Sidney Holland. Early visitors to the club included a number of prominent politicians, notables, and explorers, including Robert Falcon Scott, Sir Ernest Shackleton and Mark Twain.
Membership applications must be made on behalf of the candidate by an established member of the club. For more information, contact the General Manager.
