What we do
We improve the city’s productivity, liveability and attractiveness by growing jobs, improving the economic, social and environmental competitiveness of Christchurch businesses, and promoting Christchurch to everyone, from everywhere.
Our team
Working together for a prosperous city
ChristchurchNZ is a small but mighty organisation made up of specialists across multiple teams. We deliver activities to help us achieve three outcomes for the city: improved productivity, liveability, and attractiveness for Christchurch.
Each of specialised teams is focused on a specific area of opportunity. Find out more about each team below.
Our work is guided by three underlying strategies
Christchurch Economic Ambition
The city’s economic strategy, the Christchurch Economic Ambition, is a North Star leading the city toward becoming a regenerative economy. We need to grow a regenerative economy that brings prosperity, benefits people and the planet, and transitions us to a low emission city.
Destination Management Plans
Destination Management Plans provide a framework for our regions and capture the opportunities, challenges, and wishes for their future.
These plans for Ōtautahi Christchurch Waitaha Canterbury and Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū Banks Peninsula are a government requirement for all regions with the aim of encouraging regenerative tourism across New Zealand while reflecting the aspirations of local communities.
- Ōtautahi Christchurch Canterbury Waitaha Destination Management Plan - full version 2023-2030 (PDF 14.4 MB)
- Ōtautahi Christchurch Canterbury Waitaha Destination Management Plan - at a glance 2023-2030 (PDF 2.4 MB)
- Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū Banks Peninsula Destination Management Plan - full version 2023-2030 (PDF 10.2 MB)
- Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū Banks Peninsula Destination Management Plan - at a glance 2023-2030 (PDF 3.3 MB)
Ōtautahi Christchurch Brand
All our city promotion work is through the lens of our city brand, which is based on extensive research. Our residents and visitors tell us Ōtautahi Christchurch is a city where you can lead a balanced life and that makes time and space for play.
Innovation and business growth
Our Innovation and Business Growth team supports businesses and industries to improve their performance and grow sustainably in Christchurch. A knowledgeable mix of strategic thinkers, this team works to connect people and build relationships within the business and investment community through several focus teams.
Our Commercial and Skills Attraction team aims to attract business investment and talent into the Christchurch ecosystem through international education and other initiatives like Screen Canterbury.
Our growth sectors are helping to shape the future of Canterbury's economy by offering top-notch opportunities for hands-on learning, career pathways, partnerships, more innovation, research and development, and attracting talented people and businesses.
Major events
Major events are an important addition to any city, adding vibrancy and excitement.
Our Major Events team works closely with city partners on securing the best events for our city, from early-stage bidding and prospecting to partnering with event organisers and delivering epic events across the city. Check out some of the exciting events coming to the city here.
Visitor Economy
Our Visitor Economy team is focused on making Ōtautahi Christchurch an attractive place for visitors and a sustainable place for the local tourism industry to operate. They manage the Destination Management Plans for the region and take a holistic approach to planning for and sustainably growing the visitor economy.
Their work also includes activating campaigns and joint venture initiatives with other agencies such as Tourism New Zealand, hosting tourism trade professionals and looking after the Convention Bureau, which plays an integral role in attracting conferences to the city. They also run the Destination Partner Programme, which gives participating business event and tourism operators enhanced support from ChristchurchNZ.
City development
An important part of economic development is creating great places and lively communities, and this is the role of our City Development team. We are experts in collaboration and connection, working across places, projects, and partnerships to support Christchurch’s sustainable economic development. We intervene where there is a market failure or an opportunity to bring life and action to priority areas, property development projects, and city partnerships.
We bring both commercial and community expertise to kick-start private sector interest and community involvement. Our work includes leading projects with partners, as well as work with partners to transform urban spaces through master planning, activation, engagement and placemaking that brings life and economic growth.
City profile and promotion
Our City Profile and Promotion team are the storytellers and brand champions for Ōtautahi Christchurch. By delivering strategic marketing campaigns, collaborating with city partners and telling the epic stories of our city, we work to shift perceptions, aiming to make Christchurch a more attractive place to live, work, and play.
As caretakers of the city brand, we amplify and share what makes Christchurch the place we love to call home. This creates pride for our residents, sparks interest for potential visitors, and puts our city on the map for those looking to visit, live, study, or start a business here.
Strategies and publications
As the sustainable economic development and city profile agency for Ōtautahi Christchurch, we develop a range of strategies, publications and reports to guide the development of our city. These documents can be used by businesses, entrepreneurs, tourism agencies, and more to guide decision-making.
