The Influencers

Why a vibrant, energised city matters for Christchurch’s economy. Christchurch has felt more alive over the past few months. Packed sporting events and concerts, bustling streets, and a growing feeling that Ōtautahi is the place to be. That vibrancy is critical to how the city grows. Cities succeed because people choose to live, […]

New sister city Shenzhen shares priorities of sustainable development and economic growth. This past month, I had the privilege of leading a delegation to China, focused on strengthening relationships, exploring innovation, and identifying opportunities to deliver real benefits for Christchurch. Our visit began in Qingdao, where we discussed shared priorities around sustainable development, […]

To tackle the housing crisis, Kāinga Maha launches free toolkit for development. There is a conversation I keep returning to in this work. It happens when a community organisation – a church, a trust, an iwi authority – realises for the first time that the land they have held for decades isn’t just […]

Demand is up and supply is down in Canterbury. While the national property market is seeing a seasonal cooldown and flatter prices, Canterbury continues to chart its own resilient path. Recent Trade Me Property figures show the wider region is performing strongly, with a 3.3 per cent year-on-year increase in the average asking […]

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 […]