Why host in Ōtautahi Christchurch
For a world-class business event experience, be in Ōtautahi Christchurch. New Zealand’s premier business events city is vibrant, welcoming, and purpose-built for impact. With world-class venues, unforgettable landscapes, and everything you need within easy reach, Christchurch makes it easy to deliver the extraordinary.
destination
Ōtautahi, be here for business events
Less than 20 minutes from Christchurch International Airport, our compact central city offers exceptional sustainability credentials and world-class event spaces – with premium hotels, restaurants, cafés and a spectacular urban park, all just a stroll apart.
Ōtautahi Christchurch is rich in history, from the culture of our indigenous Māori ancestors to New Zealand’s oldest collection of European heritage buildings. We’re surrounded by incredible landscapes, activities and attractions.
Explore, be charmed, be adventurous and be inspired. With support from our collaborative business events community, you’ll be amazed how easy it is to create an outstanding experience.
Nau mai haere mai. We can’t wait to welcome you here.
vibrant city
Work meets play
Christchurch is a thriving modern city with heart, soul, character and energy – in the middle of nature’s playground.
World-leading sustainable credentials
World-leading sustainability credentials
Christchurch is taking a leadership role in sustainability practices and working to produce regenerative events that give back to the local community and create a smaller carbon footprint.
The city is aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and has a goal of net zero emissions by 2045. Venues, accommodation providers and suppliers are all committed to local procurement and sustainable design.
Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre is currently the only convention centre in the world to be a certified Toitū Net Carbon Zero venue, recently renewed for the second year running. The Te Pae Christchurch team are taking proactive measures to reduce their environmental impact, reflected in their achievements of Toitū Environmark Gold Certification, as well as Qualmark Gold Sustainable Tourism Accreditation.
Christchurch Airport was the first airport in the world to be awarded Level 4 Airport Carbon Accreditation – the highest possible rating. It has decreased emissions by 90 per cent since 2015 and is soon to open a 400-hectare solar energy park on its campus. Within a decade the airport intends to be climate positive, a remarkable achievement.
There are plenty of opportunities to integrate CSR (corporate social responsibility) activities into events for a positive, lasting legacy. Options include native tree planting, wildlife conservation, wetland restoration and equipment building for schools.
Transport options around the city include electric car shares, e-scooters, e-bikes, trams and electric public buses.
Cultural heart
Ōtautahi Christchurch has a deep cultural heritage, a blend of Māori and European, and with it comes a unique set of values we embody as a city.
Ōtautahi holds special cultural and historical significance to Ngāi Tahu — the Māori tribe whose ancestors knew the land in this area intimately and treasured its generous natural resources.
Ngāi Tahu made the Canterbury region home in the early 1700s and prior to European settlement, the iwi maintained numerous permanent and temporary settlements in the greater Christchurch area. Today, reflections of Ngāi Tahu history can be found throughout the city, from building designs to the naming of new civic centres including Te Pae Convention Centre and Tūranga Library.
Māori culture has long held the belief of the interconnectedness of all things, including the relationship between people and place. A key cultural principle, Manaakitanga, meaning hospitality and generosity, refers to the practice of showing kindness, respect and support to guests and visitors. Manaakitanga is an important aspect of social and community relationships and emphasises a deep sense of community and collective responsibility.
We extend Manaakitanga to all visitors and delegates who spend time in Christchurch. We hope each person leaves enriched by the lasting connections they make with this land and its indigenous people.
experience
Exceptional event experience
Resourceful and collaborative community
Christchurch’s business events community is a powerhouse of support for event organisers.
Our connected network of industry experts goes above and beyond for business event organisers and their delegates. We put our heart and soul into making every event collaborative, caring and inclusive.
Compact and walkable
Christchurch’s compact city centre is easy to access and a dream to get around. Our world-class, flexible and modern venues are all a short drive from the international airport.
Walk from your hotel to venues, bars, restaurants, and public spaces. Our safe, friendly and playful city is designed around the stunning natural environment. Breathe deeply. With 790 city parks and gardens and more than 55,000 trees, fresh air is on your doorstep.
Visit our moving around the city page to discover how easy it is to get around.
Connected to the world
Christchurch is only three hours flying time from eastern Australia and nine to 12 hours from other countries on the Pacific Rim. More than 115 international flights arrive every week, including direct services from Singapore, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Dubai and San Francisco. Passport holders from more than 60 countries do not require a visa for short stays here.
Christchurch Airport has a dedicated Welcome Lounge for business events travellers, with interchangeable branding to suit each event. The airport also offers high impact digital signage throughout the airport campus to welcome conference visitors.
And on arrival, it is less than a 20-minute drive along beautiful tree-lined avenues to the city centre.
New purpose-built venues
Christchurch’s superb large-scale event facilities include New Zealand’s first new generation convention centre, and its largest covered stadium.
Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre’s award-winning architecture reflects the unique culture of the region with modern, flexible spaces including 24 meeting rooms, 1364 seat auditorium, 200 booth exhibition hall, riverside banquet room and VIP spaces.
One New Zealand Stadium will open in April 2026 with a suite of state-of-the-art meeting and event spaces. New Zealand’s largest covered stadium is a striking new landmark in the heart of Christchurch. This 30,000-seat venue, set to host the world’s best sporting and entertainment acts, is also packed with bespoke spaces and opportunities for business event organisers.
Other world-class venues and facilities include health and innovation precincts, and performing arts venues such as the Christchurch Town Hall and The Isaac Theatre Royal.
For smaller business events, take your pick from a diverse range of boutique spaces and inspirational settings.
Quality accommodation options
Christchurch has over 6,000 guest rooms in a wide variety of accommodation, from boutique luxury lodges and self-serviced apartments to modern city hotels, international hotel brands, and residential conferencing options — most just steps from the city’s key venues and hospitality precincts.
Inspiring delegate experiences
Christchurch is the international gateway to the South Island and New Zealand’s bucket-list landscapes and experiences. Endless opportunities for off-site meetings, pre and post touring and partner programmes and incentive travel, are just one to three hours’ drive away.
Discover diverse natural wonders, from the Pacific Ocean and ancient volcanic peninsula to patchwork plains, lush vineyards and braided rivers rising to pristine glacial lakes and the majestic Southern Alps topped off by Aoraki/Mount Cook.
Just 15 minutes east of the city centre are endless sandy beaches, great for surfing and walking too. A sunrise soak at the new He Puna Taimoana hot pools at New Brighton beach is a must-do here.
For outdoor play, Christchurch Adventure Park is only 20 minutes from the central city, with both the longest zipline and chairlift in New Zealand, plus downhill mountain biking tracks with expansive views of the city, plains and alps.
Connecting with wildlife is a real treat. Whales, dolphins and seals abound near the coast in Kaikōura, a few hours north of the city. One hour from Christchurch, in the beautiful French seaside village of Akaroa, dolphin and penguin tours are excellent pre or post conference options.
Christchurch sectors of strength
Christchurch is a hub for innovative thinking and big ideas. A city inspired, we are a place for sustainable businesses and people who want to do things differently. We are leading the way in global health tech, aerospace and future transport, food fibre and agritech, cleantech and hi-tech solutions. These sectors are supported by progressive ecosystems connecting enterprise, education, and government.
Tūwhana
A community of local sector experts
Ōtautahi Christchurch is home to a rich community of thought leaders and sector experts. A community of innovators. A city that celebrates big ideas.
Tūwhana, the city’s new Business Events Advocate Programme brings together local experts, industry and academic leaders to connect with the world, on a greater stage, right here in Christchurch.
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Explore our region
Christchurch and the wider Waitaha Canterbury region are a world of contrasts and surprises, where business opportunities meet awe-inspiring landscapes and experiences.
Everything is within an hour to three hours’ reach. Whether you’re planning an inspiring conference or meeting, an unforgettable incentive trip, or promoting pre- and post-conference options, this is a region that fits into any itinerary.
Discover recent Christchurch events
These case studies showcase some of the awesome conferences, incentives, famils, and events which have recently happened in Christchurch or the Canterbury region.
itineraries
Incentive travel experiences
In Ōtautahi Christchurch and Waitaha Canterbury the options for incentive travel are limited only by the imagination! Not sure where to start? Explore our incentive sample itineraries.
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Explore more of Ōtautahi Christchurch
Eat & drink
Foodie buzz
Savouring the freshest food, wine and produce from our region is a big part of the sensory and cultural experience for delegates.
With some of New Zealand’s top chefs based in Christchurch the city buzzes day and night with excellent local fare. Over 900 restaurants, bars and an eclectic café culture serve everything from ethnic shared plates and tapas to innovative bistro fare and world-class fine dining, paired with exquisite local wines and craft beers.
Meeting artisan local producers, award-winning winemakers, and visiting local farmers’ markets and colourful country stores around the region leaves visitors with a lasting impression.
Seasonal guides
City of seasons
Christchurch and Canterbury’s vistas change dramatically to reflect its four distinct seasons. Long warm days are the norm in summer which starts in December, while from March, autumn brings vibrant colour to the city’s tree-lined streets. Winter starts in June with crisp, clear days and stunning mountain-scapes, then acres of beautiful blossoms cover the avenues and parks to herald spring from September.