A public celebration has been held in Christchurch to mark the 175 year anniversary of Canterbury’s founding.

The event at the Christchurch Town Hall on Saturday brought together community groups, local leaders, and residents to recognise the region’s early settlers and those who have since made Canterbury their home.

Members of the Canterbury Pilgrims and Early Settlers Association took part in a citizenship ceremony where 58 people became New Zealand citizens.

Association President Beverly Bollard said “welcoming the newest citizens in Canterbury’s 175th Anniversary was a privilege and an honour for Canterbury Pilgrims and Early settlers Association members.”

At the event, Bollard spoke about the significance of the occasion, including the experiences and challenges early settlers lived through and how Christchurch was developed in the early years of Canterbury’s establishment.

Bollard said “with the commemoration of 175 years since the first settler ships arrival, everyone is also invited to join the association at the Pilgrims Rock in Lyttelton on Tuesday 16 December at 10am for a service of celebration and reflection.”

Following the ceremony, a celebratory cake was cut by Mayor Phil Mauger, the youngest new citizen, and the oldest Canterbury Pilgrims and Early Settler member present, Goldie Wilkinson, who turns 100 later this month.

The youngest citizen was also gifted a 175th Anniversary Association ribbon by Bollard.

The Christchurch City Council produced a commemorative booklet with the order of service.

The celebration proceeded despite earlier attempts by council staff to discourage public recognition of the anniversary.

In February, council faced a strong public backlash after initially refusing to formally acknowledge the milestone, with unnamed staff advising against support because of concerns about marking a colonial milestone.

A council spokesperson told chrislynchmedia.com in February that the organisation had “shifted towards more inclusive and balanced historical narratives since the 150th anniversary in 2000, which has greater recognition of Māori perspectives and the historical harm of colonisation.”

That position was widely criticised by residents.

Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger later confirmed his full support for anniversary events, overriding internal staff resistance.