This is a list of notable people who were either born in Christchurch, New Zealand, or who spent a significant part of their lives living in the region.
A
Hugh Acland (1874–1956), surgeon
Jim Anderton (1938–2018), Labour politician and deputy prime minister (1999–2002) Harry Ayres (1912–1987), mountaineer, guide, and gardener Ernest Andrews (1873–1961), longstanding mayor of Christchurch Marcus Armstrong (born 2000), motor racing driver Vajin Armstrong (born 1980), ultra-distance runner
B
Petra Bagust, (born 1972), Television news presenter
Simon Barnett (born 1967), public figure and co-host of morning radio show
Blanche Baughan (1870–1958), poet, writer and penal reformer
Peter Beaven (1925–2012), architect and heritage lobbyist
Ursula Bethell (1874–1945), poet and social activist
John Blumsky (1928–2013), journalist and broadcaster
Shane Bond (born 1975), player and coach of the national cricket team
John Britten (1950–1995) New Zealand mechanical engineer who designed a world-record-setting motorcycle with innovative features and materials Kathleen Browne (1905–2007), artist Gerry Brownlee (born 1956), National Party MP for Ilam electorate Vicki Buck (born 1955/56), first female mayor of Christchurch and activist
C
Dolce Ann Cabot (1862–1943), journalist, newspaper editor, feminist and teacher
Tonie Carroll (born 1976) rugby league player, played for both New Zealand and Australia Dan Carter (born 1982), plays rugby for Canterbury Crusaders and the All Blacks, highest test-match point scorer Nathan Cohen (born 1986), world and Olympic champion rower Brendan Cole (born 1976), ballroom dancer and television personality Ray Columbus (1942–2016), singer-songwriter of Ray Columbus & the Invaders John Cracroft Wilson ("Nabob" Wilson, 1808–1881), farmer of Cashmere and independent parliamentarian
D
Lianne Dalziel (born 1960), mayor of Christchurch, former Labour Party MP for Christchurch Central and Christchurch East electorates John Deans (1820–1854), pioneer farmer Sharon Shobha Devi Lingham (1956–2010), broadcaster David de Lautour (born 1982), actor and musician Christopher Doig (1948–2011), opera singer Brooke Duff (born 1991), Christchurch-born singer/songwriter Andrew Duncan (1834–1880), mayor of Christchurch and provincial councillor
E
Lincoln Arthur Winstone Efford (1907–1962), pacifist, social reformer and adult educationalist
F
Eileen Fairbairn (1893–1981), geographer, climber, teacher
Daniel Faitaua (born c.1976), Television news reporter, currently working for TVNZ
G
Jon Gadsby (1953–2015), actor and comedian
James Gapes (1822–1899), mayor of Christchurch and flautist
Jo Giles (1950–2011), former sports representative and television personality
A. K. Grant (1941–2000), writer, historian and humorist
Charles Gray (1853–1918), independent parliamentarian and mayor of Christchurch
Jeffrey Grice (born 1954), classical pianist
John Grimes (1842–1915), first Roman Catholic bishop of Christchurch
H
Sir Richard Hadlee (born 1951), international cricketer
John Hall (1824–1907), independent politician, 12th prime minister of New Zealand and mayor of Christchurch Sir William Hamilton, (1899–1978) Fairlie-born inventor of the jetboat, whose company, Hamilton Jet, was based in Christchurch from 1948 Joel Hayward (born 1964), academic, writer and poet Graham Henry (born 1946), rugby union coach, head coach of the All Blacks Tom Hern (born 1984), actor Hera Hjartardóttir (born 1983), Iceland-born singer/songwriter Fred Hobbs (1841–1920), mayor of Christchurch and drainage activist M. H. Holcroft (1902–1993), essayist and novelist
J
Barry Jones (1941–2016), ninth Roman Catholic bishop of Christchurch
Churchill Julius (1847–1938), second Anglican bishop of Christchurch and first archbishop of New Zealand