Doing Business in Christchurch

Economic Overview

The major portion of the local economy is reliant on the primary produce of its surrounds: vegetables, specialist horticultural produce, grains, grapes, meat, dairy products, wool, aquaculture and timber.
The associated infrastructure and value-added processing operations also make a substantial contribution.

Secondary and emerging industries include tourism, light industrial engineering, manufacturing, software development, electronics and education.
The two universities and sixteen research institutions offer an excellent research and development base; the region is technologically advanced by international standards, with a stable and educated labour force.

An international airport, deep harbour port, radial road and rail links make Christchurch the main distribution centre for the South Island. Enhanced international status and economic benefits also accrue from the city’s position as Gateway to the Antarctic.

Infrastructure

As it rapidly becomes a top destination for the international traveller, so it is creating an increasingly impressive infrastructure to meet these needs.
Travellers are catered for by an extensive range of excellent hotels and accommodation facilities.
The new sports and entertainment centre, the world-class convention centre and the adjacent performing arts complex are a testament to this exciting period of change and progress.

For more information on venue management visit NCC New Zealand.
Christchurch is an international gateway with a busy international airport, a thriving deep water port and comprehensive road and rail links. Less than two hours flying time can take you from one end of New Zealand to the other, so Christchurch's centralised location makes it an ideal distribution base. The city also holds gateway status to Antarctica with the New Zealand, American and Italian Antarctic programmes based locally.

Both the continuing commercial success of the local business community and the enviable quality of life its residents enjoy daily is due in no small part to a particularly proactive approach by local government.

Christchurch City Council is recognised as a progressive body and has been the recipient of international and national accolades.

Local & Regional Government

Local government for Christchurch is provided by the Christchurch City Council, a national and international award-winning local authority.

The Council aims to provide governance and services, which contribute to the optimum quality of life for its residents, at all levels.

Looking after the region’s wider interests is the Environment Canterbury which is responsible for urban transport planning, navigation and safety for harbours, animal and plant pests.

It aims to ensure that communities in the region have access to clean water, clean air and productive land. It also has responsibility for natural hazard control and Civil Defence.