The Influencers

The New Zealand Government wants local government bodies to amalgamate. We’ve had a busy time recently with the Government’s direction for councils to get together to come up with options for amalgamation within their regions. It’s a big piece of work, so we’re cracking on with looking at what the reform process means […]

Four years on from its first conference, Te Pae is more than just a venue. There’s something special about milestones that belong not just to an organisation, but to a city. As Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre marks four years since its first conference, I’ve found myself reflecting less on the scale of […]

Art both transforms the city’s built environment and reflects our culture. As a full time artist living and working in Ōtautahi, I’m fortunate to watch and be a part of the city’s growth and changing aesthetic through its murals and street art. Like the 11 storey high mural I painted on the side […]

The courage to back ourselves on a major city investment is paying off. The question is not if people will debate a proposed major city investment. They always will. The question is whether a city has the courage to back itself, and what happens as a result. One New Zealand Stadium at Te […]

Why global challenge is Christchurch’s opportunity. In a world defined by uncertainty, standing still is the biggest risk. Geopolitical tension, rising costs and rapid technological change are forcing cities everywhere to think seriously about resilience. For New Zealand, longstanding productivity challenges only sharpen that focus. For Christchurch, they create an opportunity. Ōtautahi is […]

Christchurch is outperforming the national narrative. As we move into the cooler months, the Christchurch property market continues to prove its resilience. Recent year-on-year figures show the average asking price for properties in the Canterbury region is sitting two per cent ahead of the same time last year, with Ōtautahi’s performance perfectly in […]

Christchurch has been through a time of remembrance and gratitude but also celebration, and joy. On 25 April, we paused to honour those who gave everything so we might live freely. Anzac Day is a reminder that freedom is never free, and that we carry an obligation to those who served. Our Draft […]

Summer visitors contributed $861 million to the South Island economy. This summer has been one to remember for us at Christchurch Airport. The energy and the number of people coming through our doors have been something special, and it’s great to see what that means for our city and the South Island. We […]

The biggest show in town is nearly here. When One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha opens for its first big event over ANZAC weekend, it will mark more than the arrival of a new venue. It will signal a new chapter for Christchurch. One built on confidence, ambition, and a city stepping […]

Navigating uncertainty, creating connection. The world is facing a period of heightened geopolitical uncertainty, and its ripple effects are being felt well beyond headlines. For businesses, this may mean travel disruption, rising airfares, and increased supply chain costs – pressures that inevitably influence decision making and confidence. For those of us in the […]