Business on show: Alison Adams

Christchurch businesses are embracing some exciting opportunities this year.

Tāwhaki, the innovative indigenous-led aerospace venture on Kaitorete Spit, officially opened the Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre earlier this month. This major development is home to a
new 1km-long long runway and supporting infrastructure.

This local testing, flight and launch facility will accelerate the fast-growing aerospace sector in Ōtautahi and Aotearoa, especially for several local companies who aspire to reach space. It’s a big milestone for the sector and for Tāwhaki’s aspirations for weaving together mātauranga Māori with cutting-edge innovation in aerospace and environmental rejuvenation.

Both domestic and international eyes are going to be on Christchurch via the television series Dark City: The Cleaner when it starts streaming later this year. Written by acclaimed Christchurch crime writer Paul Cleave, this production was based in the city last year, with 52 days of shooting. Partly funded by the Screen CanterburyNZ Production Grant, it’s going to be brilliant seeing our city and the work of our local artists on screen.

September sees us behind the second year of Innovate Ōtautahi, encompassing three related events: the Canterbury Tech Summit, the Innovation Expo and the New Zealand Aerospace Summit. An influx of entrepreneurs, techies, aerospace innovators and digital disruptors will join forces for a week of inspiration and connection.

I can’t wait to see what emerges from those connections, as well as what else our city of epic creativity and innovation will produce this year.