The electorate was in the northern suburbs of the city of Christchurch, and existed from 1969 to 1984.
[6] In 1969, the electorate extended from Harewood in the west to Little Hagley Park in the south-east.
[9] Papanui was abolished through the 1983 electoral redistribution, with Christchurch North taking up most of its area; the abolition came into effect with the 1984 election.
[10] Bert Walker had since the 1960 election been the representative of the St Albans electorate for the National Party.
[11] After three parliamentary terms for Papanui, he was defeated by Labour's Mike Moore.