The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora in Central Christchurch is a hub for arts, culture, education, creativity, and entrepreneurship. It is situated in former Canterbury College buildings (now the University of Canterbury) bounded by Hereford Street to the south, Worcester Boulevard to the north and Rolleston Avenue to the west. The Botanic Gardens are on the opposite side of Rolleston Avenue. The tram stops beside the centre on Worcester Boulevard.
The centre is a national landmark and home to New Zealand's most extensive collection of category-one heritage buildings, with 21 out of 23 buildings listed by Heritage New Zealand. Benjamin Mountfort designed all the buildings. The Mountforts were among the first Canterbury Association settlers and arrived in Lyttelton aboard the Charlotte Jane in 1850. Benjamin was trained in the Gothic revival style in London and was chiefly responsible for using the style in the city’s churches and other public buildings.
The centre was damaged in the 2011 earthquake, and repairs are ongoing, although most buildings are now open to the public. The rebuilding costs have been estimated at $290 million, making it one of the world's most significant heritage restoration projects.
In 2017, the University of Canterbury moved two departments to the restored old Chemistry building, marking the university's return to the site. The buildings also house the Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities, featuring the James Logie Memorial Collection of Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and Near Eastern artifacts in NZ. Other restorations include converting the Observatory on Hereford Street into a boutique hotel.
The walk through the precinct and along the bounding streets is a delight, especially on Saturdays when there is a market on Worcester Boulevard. When you are finished, it is a short walk to the Avon River / Ōtākaro, the Aft Gallery, the Botanic Gardens and Ravenscar House.
