THE Mayor of Christchurch has detailed her vision to highlight the history and heritage of the borough in potentially the last year of the mayoralty.

Doubts have been cast over the status of Christchurch's mayoralty if Local Government Organisation takes place next year.

Initial discussions have taken place on the subject, but details have not been announced.

Mayor of Christchurch Lesley Dedman has pledged to do everything she can to share the "important" and "significant" of the borough of Christchurch.

In her civic role, Cllr Dedman said she has met many people who are engaged and amazed by the wealth of heritage Christchurch has to offer.

"There is a lot of interest in the history," she said.

"I have spoken with a lot of people, including school children, and it is fantastic when you talk about the ancient borough's heritage.

"It is important to highlight this, especially because this could be the last year for the mayoralty as we know it currently in Christchurch."

During one recent talk with children and the twinning association from Christchurch, New Zealand, Cllr Dedman discussed the borough's mace was made in 1616 from an older mace and then taken to Southampton in 1644 during the Civil War.

Cllr Dedman said the age of the mace impressed the youngsters, with one highlighting New Zealand had not been discovered by the Dutch until 1642, two years before the mace was taken to Southampton.

"This really showed them how far the history of Christchurch goes back and really does have some meaning and relevance to our guests from the other side of the world," she added.

"I think it would be a really good idea if we could set up an area in the Mayor's Parlour on some of the history.

"I encourage anyone who wants to learn about our heritage to contact me."