Our team
Connection is one of the most valuable tools for your business. Sometimes its hard to know which direction to go in. ChristchurchNZ’s business and investment team are a knowledgeable mix of professional, strategic thinkers. Identifying opportunities and building relationships is what they love and will link you to people and networks right for you. Your business journey one of a kind. Connect with us and we'll help you grow.
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Here's how we can help
Navigating the investment ecosystem
We help you understand Christchurch’s investment landscape and connect you with the right resources.
Guidance on funding options
We offer expert advice on how to get ready for investment and find the best funding opportunities for your needs.
Building connections
Our extensive network of local stakeholders, businesses, and investors ensures you're introduced to the right people.
Feasibility studies
We assist with in-depth feasibility studies to ensure your ideas have the foundation they need to grow.
Navigating the investment ecosystem
We help you understand Christchurch’s investment landscape and connect you with the right resources.
Meet the team
Paul Wilkinson, Head of Commercial and Skills Attraction
Paul brings extensive international and local economic development experience to ChristchurchNZ, specialising in foreign investment promotion, trade facilitation, and economic analysis. With a background as a small business owner, he understands both public and private sector dynamics, focusing on initiatives that create mutually beneficial outcomes. Passionate about Christchurch, Paul connects with local companies to support their growth and drive investment and job creation.
Emma Renowden, Aerospace Sector Lead
Emma is an experienced strategic partnerships manager who is passionate about the role of innovation and technology in addressing some of the world's most significant challenges. In her role at ChristchurchNZ, Emma is responsible for developing an ambitious city strategy for the Aerospace sector, with the goal of harnessing the economic opportunities it presents.
Prior to her current role, Emma's career focused on health tech, where she held various positions in NZ and the UK, all centred around innovation within the health and disability sector.
Emma has always loved supporting innovators, especially those that help people, so her ChristchurchNZ role ticks all right the boxes.
Hamish McGowan, Food, fibre & agritech Sector Lead
Hamish’s career has been focused on commercialisation and getting innovation, research, and development into the marketplace. At ChristchurchNZ he leads the Food Fibre and Agritech cluster connecting companies, people and teams to inspire focus and growth.
Hamish brings strong communication skills to his role and especially enjoys working with market focussed professionals, technicians, engineers and scientists.
Out of work, Hamish spends time outdoors mountain biking, hiking, and skiing.easy to dismantle.
Shawn Melley, Health & Clean Tech Sector Lead
Shawn has over 23 years of experience and leadership in marketing, sales, business analytics, product development and corporate strategy. He has led commercial business units, launched multiple products into new markets, and co-founded a biotech start up.
Shawn is a creative problem solver who enjoys working with businesses of all sizes to uncover areas of growth and opportunity that will help them achieve their goals. He is proficient at evaluating markets, identifying how they will evolve, and positioning products to succeed in the changing landscape.
Outside helping businesses, Shawn spends time with his family and friends outdoors, most often skiing, surfing and tramping.
Matthew Dwan, Investment & Business Attraction Specialist
Matthew drives investment and business growth in Christchurch through strategic planning and market initiatives. He develops regional propositions, fosters relationships in the start-up and investor ecosystems, and promotes them to key stakeholders. With experience in founding businesses and leadership roles in Christchurch’s earthquake recovery, Matthew excels in planning, operations, and growth. Passionate about conscious capitalism and empowering communities, he focuses on delivering significant economic impact by aligning stakeholders and driving growth.
Dianna Rhodes - Business Growth Manager
With an experienced professional with a background in global fintech and SaaS, Dianna leads a team overseeing the Business Sustainability and Growth work programme and manages the Regional Business Partner Network for the Canterbury region. Her responsibilities include developing business growth and sustainability strategies, building and managing relationships with Central Government and key government agencies, managing government contracts with a value of over $6m, and designing business support programmes and tools.
Previously, Dianna was an Innovation Specialist at the Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce where she delivered the Callaghan Innovation component of the Regional Business Partner (RBP) Programme and has held other business management roles in the UK and New Zealand.
Dianna is a strategic thinker, collaborator, and relationship builder with a knack for identifying opportunities. She has experience in managing commercial products and data product portfolios, developing product strategies, and implementing product roadmaps.
