Beneath the Square
The past stories of Cathedral Square are set to come alive in February.
The Christchurch Archaeology Project is preparing to unveil a remarkable new exhibition inside Christ Church Cathedral – Cathedral Square Unearthed. Running from 16 to 22 February 2026, the event coincides with the 15th anniversary of the 22 February earthquake, offering Christchurch residents a powerful opportunity to reconnect with the city’s past.
Spearheaded by Katharine Watson of the Christchurch Archaeology Project and Jane Leighs, in conjunction with the Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Project, the exhibition will reveal artefacts and stories unearthed during the post-quake rebuild.
“The 2011 earthquakes were an incredible moment for archaeology,” says Katharine. “Because of existing legislation, we were able to collect information before it was gone forever. The devastation was centred on places that had been occupied for generations – from early Māori to European settlers – and it changed the level of information we were able to recover.”
The exhibition focuses on items found in and around Cathedral Square, using them to piece together the lives of Christchurch’s earliest residents and merchants. Everyday objects – once discarded and forgotten – now help tell the story of how the city was built.
“It’s the everyday stories that offer the most fascinating insight,” Katharine explains. “It’s about the people who gave up everything they knew and took a leap of faith. It shows so much courage.”
Māori archaeology was also discovered near the Cathedral site, and the team has been working closely with local hapū and Māori advisors to ensure those stories are told respectfully.
“This is a new form of archaeology,” adds Jane. “It used to be about treasure hunting and moving things from their place of origin. Now it’s about telling the stories of place and community.”
Once an artefact is found, the team delves into the life behind it – researching newspaper archives, historical documents, and photographs to build a full picture of the person or family it belonged to. “We find the butcher, the candlestick maker, the fishmonger,” says Katharine. “We interpret somebody’s life and place in the world.”
To bring these stories vividly to life, the exhibition will combine artefacts, projections, augmented reality, and digital displays, creating a sensory, multimedia experience. The design team are trained internationally and locally, ensuring a world-class exhibition grounded in local storytelling.
The project’s guiding principles are generosity and inclusivity – bringing people together, using creative local talent, and producing resources that can be reused beyond the exhibition itself. It’s as much about community as it is about history.
“We know the Cathedral is a taonga for the people of Christchurch,” says Jane. “Part of our job is to listen to people’s stories and help spark their memories.”
Locals will be invited to contribute photographs, family stories, or memories online – adding new layers to the city’s collective narrative. The exhibition will be free to attend, with tickets available from 5 December through Humantix. Access will be limited to those aged 10 and above, and visitors will need closed-toe shoes and protective equipment due to the uneven surface inside the Cathedral.
Following its debut, the team hopes to take the exhibition on tour – to schools, libraries, and public spaces – while plans are underway to find a permanent home for this extraordinary collection.