Timed to coincide with the 15th anniversary of the 22 February earthquake, the exhibition will offer Christchurch people a chance to reconnect with the city’s past through everyday objects uncovered during post-quake excavations and the city's rebuild. 

The display will explore the lives of Christchurch’s early residents and merchants using clues found in their discarded objects. The project team aspire to breathe life into the personalities of the past by creating a display that: 

  • brings Christchurch people together 

  • tells stories using creative, local talent 

  • is generous - designed for a broad audience and generating reusable resources 

  • is free to enter,  with the option to donate 

The Christchurch Archaeology Project Charitable Trust (CAP) is developing a new exhibition that will bring to life Cathedral Square’s early history.  The exhibition, Cathedral Square Unearthed, will run from 16 to 22 February 2026 in Christ Church Cathedral, with the support of the Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Project (CCRL).  

Volunteering for Cathedral Square Unearthed

“Colombo Street looking south” (1874) | Christchurch Star Archive and Christchurch City Libraries (colourised).

The exhibition is currently being designed by local experts. Plans for the display centre on artefacts and local stories enhanced with video projections, augmented reality, and digital displays. 

The interior of Christ Church Cathedral in 2025.

We are looking for volunteers to work at the exhibition.  We need outgoing, mature, energetic, honest, positive people who will enjoy sharing Ōtautahi Christchurch’s heritage with visitors.  

 Volunteers will need to be available for:  

  • an initial telephone call or meeting with the Cathedral Square Unearthed Director 

  • in-person training on 12 February 2026 from 10am – 11am in The Cathedral 

  •  to work for at least one half day (and preferably more) between 15 and 23 February 2026. A health & safety induction of the Cathedral site will be given by CCRL staff. 

If you’re interested, read on…. 

 While Christ Church Cathedral is safe to visit, for health and safety reasons, only 50 people are allowed in to the Cathedral at a time, and they all need to wear hard hats, high vis vests, and closed toe shoes.  Volunteers will need to ensure that everyone’s kitted up to visit, and their items are collected upon exit.  

 We will launch the exhibition on Sunday 15 February, and from Monday 16 – Sunday 22 February, we will run four-five  tours per day.  The changeover between tours needs volunteer assistance.  

Our experience tell us that many people have memories of their visits to the Cathedral before the earthquakes.  An important part of our job will be to talk to visitors and listen to their memories. 

There will be an evaluation area where people will give us feedback.  There will be jobs to do to make sure this runs properly. 

 We expect to operate a small retail shop.  Volunteers may help in the shop, operating an eftpos machine, or issuing receipts (full training will be given) 

 There will be digital displays and eftpos machines for donations.  We’ll need to be alerted if they’re not working properly.  

 If you have relevant specialist skills, we’d love to hear about them! 

Plates found at 88 Cashel Street, the Zetland Arms Hotel, c. 1880.  Image: C. Watson, Ōtautahi Christchurch archaeological archive. 

Important information

  • There will be launch events held on Sunday 15 February.  

  • Tours on 16-22 February will run from 9.30am-10.30am,11am-12pm, 1.30pm - 2.30pm, 3pm - 4pm, (and 4.30-5.30pm on 18 and 19 February). 

  • There may be  special group tours and events outside standard tour hours.  

  • We expect most volunteer work to be between 9am and 6pm, and that volunteers would work for a morning, an afternoon, or a full day.  

  • There are toilets on site and there will be a place to have a cuppa. 

  • There will always be a staff member from Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Limited and a staff member from Christchurch Archaeology Project on site with volunteers.  

  • Volunteers have to wear a hard hat, high vis vest and closed toe shoes.  Hard hats and vests will be provided.   

  • In the weeks prior to the exhibition opening, we will email volunteers information about the artefacts, the Cathedral and the exhibition. You won’t need to know it perfectly, but well enough to be comfortable answering visitor questions, or knowing where to find answers.  

  • There will be wifi in the exhibition.  

  • This is an unpaid position.  

  • There will be an after-party for all supporters and volunteers. At this stage, it’s looking like early March.  We’ll keep in touch! 

 How will we communicate with you? 

If you’re interested, fill out the form below, flick us an email, or give us a call, we’d love to talk with you.   

In mid-January, we will be in touch with people who have shown an interest in volunteering to confirm that they are still available to help.  For those who wish to be involved, we will then keep in touch with information about the exhibition, health and safety, and with a schedule of times when volunteers are required.  

 

For any questions please contact

Jane Leighs 

Public Archaeologist 

Director, Cathedral Square Unearthed

+64 2 1360 803 

jane.leighs@christchurcharchaeology.org 

Page last updated 5/12/2025

 

Jane Leighs (left) and Katharine Watson (right) in Christ Church Cathedral. Image: Amy Wilson.