Full speed ahead: Leeann Watson

I have seen Christchurch described recently as New Zealand’s ‘newest city’.

The signals are certainly clear. Our city is now – more than ever – seen as a modern city in which to work, live, and play. We have relatively affordable housing, easy commutes, natural beauty at our doorstep, and many opportunities for employment.

Our backbone of strong primary, construction, manufacturing, and export industries, and innovative companies calling here home, is driving this interest in our city. Recently it was announced that Christchurch will soon have its first direct flight (since 2006) to the USA, providing easier access here for more business travellers, big spending tourists, and skilled workers.
What does this mean? Canterbury is the quietly confident engine of growth in the New Zealand economy. Our regional economy is already one of the strongest in the country, and our businesses are ready to invest and grow.

More than 50% of the businesses we recently surveyed expect their earnings to grow over the next year, and 75% are expecting to invest in new equipment, and more people.
But we must acknowledge some of the challenges facing our businesses. Challenges such as immigration settings unfit for purpose, skyrocketing costs, an inundation of compliance and regulation, and increasingly concerning reports of school leavers not being work-ready.

All are issues that could really slow us down as a city.

This year, being an election year, The Chamber will be in regular contact with all political parties to make sure their policies enable businesses to overcome some of these challenges, and also to ensure that we keep our region moving at full speed.