The Influencers: Peter Townsend

Too often in Christchurch and Canterbury we underestimate our performance and influence, as a city and a region. We also have a tendency to understate our achievements. I think this comes from the natural conservatism of our people. When you get outside Christchurch and look back in, it’s easy to gain an appreciation of all […]

The Influencers: John Bridgman

On St Asaph Street, outside the Metro Sports Facility site, we now have work underway to install New Zealand’s first Wastewater Heat Recovery System. Showers, sinks, dishwashers, washing machines and even toilets all result in hot water going down the drain. This lifts the temperature of the major wastewater pipe running down St Asaph Street […]

The Influencers: Marian Johnson

For the last few weeks, the Ministry of Awesome team has been working hard alongside New World to launch this year’s FoodStarter competition. We’re so excited about getting this underway because it is the ultimate opportunity for Kiwi food and beverage entrepreneurs to launch right into national success. And – if ever there was a […]

The Influencers: Lianne Dalziel

November is always a big month for us with the Bloom Festival embracing a range of activities, including NZ Cup and Show Week. We certainly missed the A&P Show, which had to be cancelled earlier in the year, but the fact that we are able to celebrate all the other festivities and look forward to […]

The Influencers: Leeann Watson

Through our Canterbury Business Champions campaign, we have heard some amazing stories of innovation, nimbleness, determination, collaboration and kindness, and together celebrated what it is that makes our business community so unique. While in a “normal” year we would showcase our local champions at our Westpac Champion Business Awards, given the uncertainty of running events […]

The Influencers: Joanna Norris

With August 2020 spending in the central city down 4 percent compared to the same month last year and tourism related industries showing a greater decrease, it’s more important than ever to support local. Major events play an essential role in supporting social and economic prosperity and help create a vibrant atmosphere. BLOOM is our […]

The Influencers: Peter Townsend

The events of this year have brought the value of health into sharp focus. They also placed unprecedented pressure on already stretched health, education and research resources. In Canterbury, our health board is fighting to balance growing demand with financial constraints. Organisations training our future health workers are facing, among other challenges, a large drop […]

The Influencers: John Bridgman

From many parts of the city, and even from the Port Hills, you can now clearly make out the white steel skeleton of what will be the Metro Sports Facility. Some very big bones were added recently, in the form of the roof trusses for the 2500-seat show court. The roof is made up of […]

The Influencers: Marian Johnson

For the last few days, I have been helping eight finalists of the HealthTech Supernode Challenge prepare their five-minute presentations for the upcoming final Demo Night where they will compete for $340,000 of in-kind and cash prizes. It’s been pretty interesting work hearing about the healthtech innovations of our future and meeting the researchers, students, […]

The Influencers: Lianne Dalziel

While the year 2050 may seem like a long time away, when I look around the city today, I can imagine that future even though I won’t be here to enjoy it. But that, in itself, is the wake-up call we need. If we are to meet the needs of future generations, we need to […]