80km southeast of Christchurch is Akaroa (Maori for long harbor; pop. c 800). There are a number of old buildings. The Roman Catholic parish church of St Patrick was built in 1864; it was the third church of the mission station established by Bishop Pompallier in 1840.
The neo-Gothic St Peter's Church (Anglican) in Rue Balguerie was built in 186
3. Another fine example of carpentry is the former custom house (1852). On the hill called L'Aube, with a modern lighthouse (1980), is the French settlers' cemetery.
5km south of Akaroa is a little Maori church (1878).