In the 14th century, large groups of Māori, initially the Waitaha people and then the Ngāti Māmoe tribe, settled in the area.

[5] The Moa Bone Point Cave (Te Ana o Hineraki) in Redcliffs was excavated under the direction of Julius von Haast in 1872, and numerous artefacts were found.

This suggests that Moa Bone Point Cave was used as shelter by the first Māori people but also used as a place to store valuable items.

It was discovered by road workers in 1889, and is considered to be one of the greatest archaeological sites in New Zealand because of the evidence that it has provided of early Māori occupation, including wooden artefacts.

Alternatively, Redcliffs can be accessed through McCormack's Bay Road, which circles the perimeter of the Avon Heathcote Estuary.

The cliffs are tinged with veins of red tephra, and composed of 'A'ā lava flows; the suburb draws its name from this the most notable of its physical features.

Barnett Park, open to public access, and a product of the earliest council recreation planning in the wider Christchurch region, is located in Redcliffs.

[14][15] By 7 March, detailed geotechnical inspections of the affected land inside the remaining cordons began with a view to removing them.

[18] On 2 March, Redcliffs resident Peter Hyde launched a viral call[19] to encourage more support, especially key supplies and information, for the worst affected Eastern suburbs of Christchurch.

[22] It was temporarily relocated to Van Asch Deaf Education Centre, 4.5 kilometres (2.8 mi) from the original Main Road site, after the June 2011 aftershock.