The Influencers: Marian Johnson

International Women’s Day just passed and I’m thinking about why it’s hard to get a long list together of female startup founders in Christchurch. The scarcity of female founders is a global issue and to appreciate the size of the problem here’s a few stats to consider: 83 percent of all venture capital investment goes […]

Architect Craig South

A new approach to an old problem: architect Craig South explores innovative thinking about living in the CBD

Architect Craig South explores an alternative to the norm when it comes to central city living. Architecture is typically viewed as a whole – the exterior lines, the internal layout and the fit-out. And while it is all of that, if we were to strip it back to a considered shell, we have what is […]

Albert Brantley

The Influencers Column: Albert Brantley

You may notice a change in the Christchurch skyline this month with the first of the steel trusses being placed to support the roof of the Convention Centre. These first trusses span 50 metres and sit over the 1400-person auditorium. They give you the first real opportunity to gain some appreciation of the scale of […]

Nathan Godfrey: Canterbury Rugby Football Union CEO

The Influencers Column: Nathan Godfrey

I’m often asked about the new stadium and, although this is a complex subject, my answer is simple. Time is money. We are grateful for the temporary stadium and what it once represented, but extending its life is a growing concern. Another is the escalating cost of delaying construction of a replacement home for Lancaster […]

Dr Megan Woods: Greater Christchurch Regeneration Minister

The Influencers Column: Dr Megan Woods

For seven years, a generation of young Cantabrians has had to make do without important sporting facilities. These were meant to be provided by early 2016 in the Metro Sports Facility, a proposed world class sporting facility. When this Government came to office, all this had come to was an empty lot. Beset by a […]

Tim Nees: New Work Studio / Tim Nees Architects Director

The Influencers Column: Tim Nees

For the past two years I have been Branch Chair of the NZ Institute of Architects here in Canterbury, leading the committee through a number of programmes and events that have increased public awareness of the practice of architecture. Last week I stepped aside for a new Chair – Mike Callaghan – to lead further […]

Ivan Iafeta

The Influencers Column: Ivan Iafeta

For the past 14 months, identifying and assessing potential land uses in the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor has been a significant part of Regenerate Christchurch’s work to develop a regeneration plan for the area. The transformational opportunity it represents, as well as the local and national benefits, cannot be underestimated and it has been critical […]

Leeann Watson

The Influencers Column: Leeann Watson

Two years since the Health and Safety legislation changed, what have we achieved? In short, quite a lot! In 2012 the Government set a target of a 25 percent reduction in work related deaths and injuries by 2020. According to Statistics NZ, deaths and serious non-fatal injuries are both below the target set by the […]

Forsyth Barr Stadium, photos courtesy of Dunedin Venues

It’s time to think big: Cymon Allfrey on the big thinking we need to embrace in the rebuild

Having missed out on hosting yet another big name, architect Cymon Allfrey highlights the importance of moving forward with our plans for a stadium. It is without doubt that we are a city capable of hosting events, with the World Busker’s Festival, the Under 19 Cricket World Cup and the recent Black Caps/England Cricket test, […]

Dr Megan Woods: Greater Christchurch Regeneration Minister

The Influencers Column: Dr Megan Woods

As we head in to the 8th year since the earthquakes, Canterbury has so much to be proud of. Hundreds of thousands of homes have been repaired, large swaths of our city have been rebuilt and some truly amazing new public spaces have been created. For most people, the trauma of the earthquakes has passed, […]