Dame Anna had us recalling memories of Christchurch’s historic buildings creating much conversation within the room after showing her 15 minute video of “ Lost Christchurch” made in 2021. It documented the 2011 Earthquake and focused on the central city buildings and what has happened to the sites over the last 10 years. It was quite an emotional journey for Anna with her background in History, classics, art and architectural history which has been at the heart of Anna Crighton’s careers in the public and private sector.
Before graduating in these subjects later in life from Canterbury and Otago universities, she was registrar of Christchurch’s Robert McDougall Art Gallery for 20 years. She then embarked on a career in local politics as a Christchurch city councillor for 12 years and a member of the Canterbury District Health Board for a further 12. Over three decades, she was a trustee and director of many trusts and companies. Anna has lived in Wellington, Sydney and England but has always returned to the city of her birth. In 2020 she was made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to heritage preservation and governance.
We are grateful to Dame Anna not only for her advocacy in trying to preserve many of our landmarks over the years and as a Rotarian and President of the Christchurch Rotary Club.
