<h5><img class="alignnone wp-image-80206 size-full" src="https://static.travelgay.com/media/68070/christchurch-guide-main.jpg" alt="" width="100%" />Boat Hire in Christchurch</h5>&nbsp;<h2>Christchurch</h2>New Zealand’s "Garden City". Christchurch has a population of 400,000, about the same size as Wellington, and is located on the East Coast of the South Island, on the edge of the Canterbury Plains.Christchurch has been in recovery phase from the devastating earthquake in 2011 which destroyed much of the city centre.  The city still attracts many visitors with its well-maintained parks and beautiful gardens and a growing arts and cultural scene.&nbsp;<h2>Gay Scene</h2>Christchurch is the centre of South Island’s LGBT community, though it has only a couple of actual gay venues. There is a growing gay scene emerging here, and a renewed Christchurch Gay Pride Week was held in November 2013.&nbsp;<h2>Getting to Christchurch</h2>Christchurch International Airport serves both domestic routes and direct international flights from Australia, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.A regular bus service links the airport to the city centre with a journey time of around 30 minutes. There are also plenty of taxis and car hire facilities at the airport.InterCity Coachline buses travel north to Picton (for the ferry connection to Wellington), south to Dunedin and west to Queenstown and the West Coast.The TranzAlpine train travels between Christchurch and Greymouth on the West Coast - which is a popular and scenic return day trip for tourists.&nbsp;<h2>Getting around Christchurch</h2>With its location on a flat plain, cycling is a good option for getting around Christchurch. There is a good network of cycle lanes, and the city centre is easily manageable on foot.The Christchurch tramway system has remained closed since the earthquake damage. The only functioning tram is more of a tourist attraction that makes its loop around the city centre.&nbsp;<h5><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-80189" src="https://static.travelgay.com/media/68072/christchurch-guide-1.jpg" alt="" width="100%" />Autumn in Christchurch</h5>&nbsp;<h2>Things to See &amp; Do</h2>Christchurch has been rebuilding the city centre following the 2011 earthquake, and many innovative new facilities have opened as part of the new pop-up city.Re:START is a new pop-up outdoor retail area made of old shipping containers, with over 50 retailers now, and has a really buzzy and fun atmosphere.The Cardboard Cathedral opened recently as a temporary replacement to the damaged stone one, and is attracting a lot of interest as a beautifully designed and creative response to the damage, and has already become a new visitor attraction for the city.The earthquake damage site has become a tourist attraction of its own, with tours within and around the red zone available.Take a punt on the River Avon for a very traditionally English experience.Visit the award-winning International Antarctic Centre at the airport, complete with simulated polar weather.Riccarton Bush is a remnant of the ancient Canterbury plain forest which has been preserved in the city.Many of the main cultural attractions, including the Art Gallery and Cathedral remain closed.&nbsp;<h2>Out-of-town Attractions</h2>Ride the Christchurch Gondola past the summit of the famous extinct volcanoTake the Summit Road (by car, bicycle or bus) along the crest of the Port Hills between Christchurch and Lyttelton for great views over the city and Pegasus Bay.Visit Lyttelton – to see the port, the bay and busy harbour and its many cafés and bars.Ride the white rapids down the Rangitata River.Take the Tranz Alpine train from Christchurch to Greymouth and back.

Gay Christchurch · City Guide

First time in Christchurch? Then our gay Christchurch city guide is for you.

Christchurch, known for its English heritage, is not only the gateway to New Zealand's South Island but also a city with a growing LGBTQ+ community. The city offers a modest yet welcoming gay scene, primarily centered around local bars and yearly events that bring together both locals and visitors.
One of the highlights of the LGBTQ+ calendar in Christchurch is the annual Pride Week, which features a variety of events ranging from parties and film nights to discussions and cultural shows, celebrating diversity and fostering community spirit. While smaller compared to Auckland's Pride, Christchurch's version is deeply cherished for its intimate and friendly atmosphere.
The city's recovery from the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 has seen a resurgence of the arts and nightlife, with the LGBTQ+ community playing a significant role in the cultural rebirth. The area around St Asaph Street, known for its vibrant culinary scene and nightlife, has become a hotspot for inclusive and gay-friendly venues.

About Christchurch

The ability for same-sex couples to legally adopt a child.

Equal age of consent since homosexual (male-and-male) activity was legalised with the commencement of the Homosexual Law Reform Act on 8 August 1986.

The difference between legal age of consent for homosexual sex and heterosexual sex.

12 month deferral periods were dropped to 3 months across multiple categories of donor, including MSMs.

The ability for MSMs (men who have sex with men) to donate blood or tissue for organ transplants. A deferral period refers to a waiting time before a man can donate after having sex.

After a review, the 5 years deferral was reduced to 12 months deferral.

No specific date in March. NZBS lists March 2009 on the linked page. NZBS performed a review in 2013 and results are expected to be public shortly.

In New Zealand, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.

Censorship or prohibition of discussing, promoting, or teaching LGBTQ+ topics in media, schools, and in the general public.

Law was changed under the Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Act 2021 which comes into effect on 15 June 2023. This will allow gender self-identification and mean that you will not need to go through the Family Court to change your nominated sex/gender, and you will not require evidence of medical treatment to do so either.

Legal recognition of sex reassignment by permitting a change of legal gender on an individual's birth certificate.

Law was changed to allow trans people to apply through the Family Court under section 28 of the Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationship Registration Act 1995. Currently through the Family Court, you are required to provide 'supporting evidence' of some form of medical treatment, which does not have to be surgery but may be. 

With 112 affirmative votes and 8 opposed votes, the Parliament of New Zealand passed the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Act, banning conversion therapy on February 15, 2022, which took partial effect on February 19, 2022, with the remaining protections for those over 18 with "decision-making" capacity where "serious harm" has not been caused will take effect on July 19, 2022.

Legal status of conducting sexual orientation changing therapy ("ex-gay" therapy)

Under section 21 of the Human Rights Act 1993, discrimination against "heterosexual, homosexual, lesbian, or bisexual orientations" is prohibited, with no other sexual orientations being protected. Discrimination protections relating to gender identity and transgender persons are ambiguous but regarded as being protected under the ground of "sex". 
 
Under the Human Rights Act 1993, there are a variety of specific exceptions from discrimination law relating to working in private areas (such as a person's home) and accessing special counselling services (such as counselling dealing with sexual abuse or family violence), among others.

Prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

The Human Rights Act 1993 prohibits discrimination in relation to employment and religious grounds, affirmed by section 19 of the NZ Bill of Rights Act 1990, which apply everywhere. However, protections only apply to those of heterosexual, homosexual, lesbian, or bisexual orientations, and currently gender identity is ambiguously regarded as being protected under the ground of sex. That has not been tested yet, and is prone to being interpreted otherwise.

Prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity in employment, including hiring, promotion, termination, harassment, etc.

Legalised with the commencement of the Homosexual Law Reform Act 1986, introduced as a bill by former member of Parliament Fran Wilde.

Consensual sexual activity between individuals of the same sex.

Prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity when applying for housing or discrimination by landlords / property owners.

Law was changed upon the passing of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act in 2013, which included the amendment under section 5 clarifying the meaning of marriage to "the union of 2 people, regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity". New Zealand was the fifteenth country in the world, and the first in Oceania, to enact marriage equality.

Marriage and marriage recognition between two people of the same biological sex and/or gender identity.

The Civil Union Act 2004 received Royal assent on 13 December 2004, allowing for same-sex couples to enter civil unions when it commenced on 13 April 2005.

No form of civil unions or same-sex marriage were legal prior to 13 April 2005.

The ability for homosexuals to serve in the military and be open about their sexuality.

New Zealand allows an "X" marker on birth certificates and passports.

Legal recognition of non-binary, genderqueer, or third gender identities.

New Zealand

Christchurch Hotel Guide

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Gay Christchurch · Hotels

Christchurch Gay Bar Guide

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Christchurch Gay Bars

MenFriends, Christchurch - gay cruise club

Christchurch Gay Cruise Club Guide

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Christchurch Gay Saunas

Metz

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The George Hotel

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Gay Christchurch

Gay Christchurch Guide [YEAR] for gay travelers. Find the best gay bars & clubs, gay scene, gay-popular hotels in Christchurch. Exclusive reviews, photos, discounts, maps.

Gay Christchurch Guide 2024 - gay bars, clubs, saunas & more

Christchurch

Christchurch, a beautiful city within a stunning natural environment that offers endless opportunities to explore &amp; have fun.

Christchurch's only gay sauna. Menfriends (2 floors) has lockers, lounge area, large cruising area, spa jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, free WiFi, outdoor garden and a shop. 
 
Weekly/monthly special events and such as Nude Only, and Underwear Party - check their website for current events.

Menfriends

The only gay sauna in Christchurch.

Well-established gay bar &amp; nightclub in the Christchurch city centre. CRUZ has been revamped and re-opened in October 2013 and remains the focal point for the gay community in the city. 
 
Open Wednesday-Thursday from 10pm, Friday-Saturday 9pm with a DJ playing chart and dance music on the weekend. 
 
If you can’t find us on the corner of Peterborough &amp; Victoria Streets (opposite the Casino) then just look for the rainbow flags that are always flying in the breeze.

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CRUZ

Christchurch's most popular gay bar.

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Gay Christchurch

Christchurch, a beautiful city within a stunning natural environment that offers endless opportunities to explore & have fun.