Little Hagley Park

Little Hagley Park is a small playground on the quieter northern edge of Christchurch's Hagley Park precinct, near Harper Avenue and a short walk from the Botanic Gardens.

History and Cultural

The site carries real historical weight: in 1858 the provincial government set aside a Native Reserve here, and it became a meeting and resting place for Māori travelling to trade at the nearby Market Square, now Victoria Square. In 1868 around 150 Ngāi Tahu camped on the site during an important Native Land Court session. A 1970s dispute over the Crown's denial of the reserve's status was eventually settled when Pilgrims Corner was exchanged for land on Pages Road, which became the site of Ngā Hau e Whā Marae.

Practical Info

The playground sits within the 6.96 hectare reserve at the north east corner of Hagley Park, between Harper Avenue and Carlton Mill Road, a quieter alternative to the main park, which draws around 1.2 million visitors a year. Harper Avenue gives direct street access, with public transport nearby.