Discover Cust

Cust brings together different historical connections in a rural landscape. With its furnishings and historic silver chalice, St James-on-the-Cust reflects the history of the church and early settlement. New Zealand’s first motorcycle Grand Prix adds a motorsport dimension. There is also the Cust Museum collection, specialist shops and expansive views.

Church and architectural history

St James-on-the-Cust is home to one of six solid silver chalices brought to the Canterbury settlement by the first immigrant ships. St James-on-the-Cust has a small pipe organ, stained-glass windows and carved woodwork. The St James Sunday School building was constructed in 1878. St James and the Belfry are listed as Category II places on the Historic Places Trust register.

These connections highlight different aspects: the chalice links the church in Cust to Canterbury’s early settlement history; the organ, windows and carvings describe its furnishings. The Sunday School building adds a specific construction date, 1878, while the Category II listing refers to the register status of St James and the Belfry.

Motorsport history

At Easter 1936, Cust hosted New Zealand’s first motorcycle Grand Prix, an organised road race in rural Canterbury. The New Zealand Grand Prix became an annual event in Cust. The first race should be distinguished from the series of annual events: one identifies Easter 1936 as a specific date, while the other describes the race’s recurring history. This historical motorsport connection offers a different perspective on Cust from its church architecture and furnishings.

Museum and shops

For a broader view of local and family history, the Cust Museum collection includes history, memorabilia, photographs, artefacts, records and family information relating to Cust and the surrounding districts. The collection therefore extends beyond the history of a single church or race and considers Cust together with the surrounding districts. Visitors can also browse specialist shops in Cust. This is a distinct aspect alongside exploring historical topics.

Rural views

From Cust, expansive views stretch across rural farmland to rolling hills and mountains. This landscape differs from the local historical themes: it draws attention to the rural character, while the church, museum and Grand Prix offer specific historical points of interest. If you are looking for a hotel for your trip, you can compare Cust with your interests by considering this contrast.

The wider Waimakariri District

The Waimakariri District has numerous walking tracks beside lakes, rivers and wetlands, as well as through native bush and into the hills. Tūtaepatu Lagoon and The Pines Wetland are part of Tūhaitara Coastal Park in the Waimakariri District. The park has tracks for walking, cycling and horse riding. The Kaiapoi isite Visitor Information Centre is the official isite information centre for the Waimakariri District.

Discover more destinations: Ohoka, Rangiora.

Return to the wider travel overview: Waimakariri District.