Lyttelton, New Zealand
Lyttelton | |
|---|---|
Lyttelton inner harbour and township in February 2010 | |
| Coordinates: 43°36′S 172°43′E / 43.60°S 172.72°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Canterbury |
| Local authority | Christchurch City Council |
| Ward | Banks Peninsula |
| Community | Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū Banks Peninsula |
| Electorates |
|
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Christchurch City Council |
| • Regional council | Environment Canterbury |
| • Mayor of Christchurch | Phil Mauger |
| • Banks Peninsula MP | Vanessa Weenink |
| • Te Tai Tonga MP | Tākuta Ferris |
| Area | |
• Total | 4.52 km2 (1.75 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2024) | |
• Total | 3,200 |
| • Density | 710/km2 (1,800/sq mi) |
| Postcode | 8082 |
Lyttelton (Māori: Ōhinehou or Riritana) is a port town on the north shore of Lyttelton Harbour / Whakaraupō, at the northwestern end of Banks Peninsula and close to Christchurch, on the eastern coast of the South Island of New Zealand.
As a landing point for Christchurch-bound seafarers, Lyttelton has historically been regarded as the "Gateway to Canterbury" for colonial settlers. The port is a regular destination for cruise ships. It is the South Island's principal goods-transport terminal, handling 34% of exports and 61% of imports by value.
In 2009 Lyttelton was awarded Category I Historic Area status by the Historic Places Trust (NZHPT) defined as "an area of special or outstanding historical or cultural heritage significance or value", not long before much of the historic fabric was destroyed in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.