Throwback Thursday
The South Island's first shopping mall opened on Riccarton Rd in 1965.
Christchurch property manager Reuel Livingstone developed the concept for Riccarton Mall from shopping centres in Australia. His new, self-contained shopping centre included 66 stores and parking for 600 cars. Many property purchases and building additions, and with the new name of Westfield, it is still one of New Zealand's leading malls.
At first, almost surrounded by houses and vacant sections, it now covers the block bounded by Riccarton Rd and Matipo, Maxwell and Rotherham streets.
We don't have a current aerial photo of the mall, but the second photo attached below shows the mall in 2012 and how much the landscape had changed since the 1960s.
Poll: Are you starting to feel a lift in business confidence across the Canterbury region?
The Press reports that Canterbury is right in the middle of a construction boom, with activity forecast to peak around 2027 and major investment flowing into transport, water and energy infrastructure.
We want to know: Are you starting to feel a lift in business confidence across the Canterbury region?
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42.4% Yes
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57.6% No
Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
🎉 2026 is almost here!
We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?
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10.1% Yes! New Year, New Me
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20% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
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69.9% Nah - not for me
🎉The Riddler wants to hear from you 🫵
🧩 Got a riddle that can stump your Neighbourly community? Share your brain teasers with us and watch your neighbours scratch their heads 😕🤔❓
Send us your tricky puzzles!
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