The Influencers: Ivan Iafeta

As the year draws to a close, I’d like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the agencies and organisations that have contributed to greater Christchurch’s regeneration during 2019.   If you are a regular reader, you will know of my ongoing admiration and acknowledgement of the private sector’s significant role in Christchurch’s regeneration. You will […]

Marian Johnson

The Influencers: Marian Johnson

One of the best parts of my job is getting to meet talented entrepreneurs and helping them succeed. And that’s exactly what the whole team got to do last week at the Pressure Cooker final of FoodStarter 2019 – a national competition looking for the most innovative food and beverage startups in New Zealand.   […]

The Influencers: Dr Megan Woods

For a city recovering from a major disaster like the Canterbury earthquakes, all the evidence suggests that simply rebuilding buildings and restarting businesses is not the end of the recovery journey.   The lasting impact of the trauma of the disaster and the long, grinding recovery that follows can have lasting mental health impacts on […]

The Influencers: John Bridgman

Not only is our Te Papa Ōtākaro Avon River Precinct project the largest urban transformation ever undertaken in New Zealand, but now it has also been deemed this year’s best, winning the prestigious George Malcolm Award for supreme excellence at the 2019 New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architecture Awards.   The Avon River Precinct includes […]

The Influencers: Lianne Dalziel

What a wonderful few weeks it has been in Christchurch. We’ve hosted royalty and we’ve revelled in the Canterbury Anniversary events that bring the region together each year. In my mind, there is no better place to be in the spring than Christchurch.   It was an honour to welcome the Prince of Wales and […]

The Influencers: Leeann Watson

As this is my last Metropol column of the year, I wanted to take the opportunity to highlight an initiative that is very close to my heart.   In my role at The Chamber, I have seen first-hand the great work and outcomes that our many charities provide to those in need in our city. […]

Ivan Iafeta: The Influencers

The opening of the Riverside Market on the corner of Lichfield Street and Oxford Terrace is yet another milestone in the regeneration of our city.   The enclosed, seven-days-a-week market is another reason for residents to spend time in the central city, and also provides exposure for local producers to the thousands of tourists who […]

John Bridgman

John Bridgman: The Influencers

Many of us have spent much of the past few weeks staring at rugby fields as the World Cup rolls on.   Put two of these fields side by side and you’ve got an area similar to that covered by the Metro Sports Facility, which we currently have under construction. We’re now into the thick […]

Paul Lonsdale: The Influencers

I believe a better future is when we can look at Christchurch and see a place that we are proud to call home as New Zealand’s second largest city. We can see that it offers the next generation the opportunity to live, work and raise a family here.   However, often we do not act […]

Dr Megan Woods: The Influencers

One of the most exciting projects for the city right now is the Metro Sports Facility and it’s really ramping up, with the first major concrete pour for the site carried out recently.   Ōtākaro have poured around 1100m3 of concrete for the foundations of the site. This is the first of around a half […]