Get On Board

Christchurch's new Economic Ambition sets out a great plan for supporting our city’s economy in ways that are good for business, people, and the environment. I’ve run businesses in Christchurch and know that this is a great place to do business, and I love seeing my kids picking up the reins. But things have changed since I started out and we need to keep changing with it, whether that is because of climate change, international politics or new technology. As the economic powerhouse of the South Island, we’re ambitious about the future and driving the changes we need to see so future generations continue to be able to live, work, play and invest in Christchurch.

Christchurch Mayor - Phil Mauger

Kathmandu supports Ōtautahi Christchurch city’s Economic Ambition and its goal to grow our local economy in ways that are good for business, people, and the environment. We share the same vision of a future that is good for people and the planet, which is inherently good for business. Christchurch is our home and our community. Supporting this great city to thrive is something we’re energised to be a part of.

Megan Welch - CEO Kathmandu

Fabrum supports the ambition as it aligns with our company purpose to leverage Canterbury hi-tech manufacturing capability and enable a pathway for emerging kiwi talent to develop world leading technology that is adopted globally for a cleaner future.

Christopher Boyle - Executive Chairman Fabrum

Orion is the electricity distribution business for central Canterbury, powering a cleaner brighter future with our community through connection, collaboration and innovation. The Ōtautahi Christchurch Economic Ambition will enable planning and investment in the local energy system to unlock this ambition. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with ChristchurchNZ and other stakeholders to facilitate the transition to a low carbon, resilient and fair energy future.

Nigel Barbour - Chief Executive Orion

Having a clear bold and courageous vision and aspiration for Christchurch, a city that punches well above our weight with world leading businesses, is an essential part of telling our story. Business Canterbury has been the home and voice of business since 1859, and looks forward to continuing that role, working alongside ChristchurchNZ on the shared Christchurch Economic Ambition.

Leeann Watson - Chief Executive Business Canterbury

The Christchurch International Airport team is unashamedly ambitious about protecting, preserving and enhancing the environment through practicing kaitiakitanga. We are determined to continue making our business more sustainable for future generations and play our part in world-leading initiatives around clean energy, reducing carbon emissions, circularity and waste diversion. We support the Christchurch Economic Ambition to ensure we remain the best place in the world to visit, live and do business.

Justin Watson - Chief Executive Christchurch International Airport

Leaft Foods is proud to support Christchurch’s Economic Ambition, aligning with the city’s goal to foster economic growth that benefits business, community, and the environment. Our purpose to cultivate protein sustainably resonates with this vision, as we prepare to scale and transition to commercialisation, enhancing Canterbury’s farming systems with our innovative Rubisco extraction technology.

Chris Simcock - Chief Financial Officer Leaft Foods

Incrediballs is deeply committed to sustainability and innovation, values that resonate with Christchurch's economic ambition. I’d like to see Christchurch become known as an innovative business hub where businesses, communities, and the environment thrive together – which is exactly what we see this initiative working to achieve. Our support for the plan is rooted in our belief in kaitiakitanga and mahi tahi – guardianship of our environment and working together towards a common goal. The ambition aligns with our mission to shake up the drinks industry and change the idea of business ‘as usual’ – ensuring we contribute to an economy where people and the planet are at the forefront.

Brianne West - Founder Incrediballs

Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre was built as a regeneration project for Ōtautahi Christchurch to provide economic impact and social benefit to our city and region for many years to come. Our whole reason for being fits neatly into the Economic Ambition of our city, more so our operations and business model are aligned to many of the priorities outlined in the Ōtautahi Christchurch Economic Ambition. Te Pae Christchurch operations are on track to be carbon neutral by the end of 2024, and we will continue to provide economic growth for our city, regenerative growth. We support the Ōtautahi Christchurch Economic Ambition and ChristchurchNZ as its custodian, and together we will continue our mahi to build on our city’s success for a prosperous future.

Ross Steele - General Manager Te Pae

We endorse the need to continue to build whānau rangatiratanga to ensure all whānau thrive in the future and build immunity to economic shocks.

Tania Wati - Executive Director Whitiora

As a proud Canterbury-founded business, DETA is committed to supporting the removal of two million metric tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere by 2030. Working throughout Canterbury, New Zealand and Australasia we enable businesses to deliver real change and tangible improvement to their sustainability outcomes. We strongly support Christchurch NZ as custodian of the Christchurch Economic Ambition to further enhance and develop not only our home, but the place we know and love.

Jonathan Pooch - Managing Director DETA

Ōtautahi Christchurch is our tūrangawaewae – it’s where Brown Bread was born. We’re fundamentally a creative city, and it’s exciting to see a vision for the future that acknowledges this, and places value in people and the circular economy. We’re proud to partner with this inspiring kaupapa, and to see a framework where we can collaborate to continue getting stuff done and attract new energy!

Jo Blair - Founder Brown Bread

The Christchurch Foundation is proud to endorse the Economic Ambition as it is very aligned to our own focus of intergenerational transformation for our people and place. Building resilience and sustainability into our economy will undoubtedly empower future generations and build strong social capital. Communities are like ecosystems. Just as a forest thrives when nurtured over decades, our people flourish when we invest in their long-term well-being. By planting seeds today—whether through commerce, education, infrastructure, or social programmes—we ensure a resilient and sustainable future. Community investment isn’t just altruistic; it’s also smart economics. A thriving community attracts businesses, creates jobs, and boosts property values. By planting seeds today, we reap a bountiful harvest tomorrow.

Amy Carter - CEO Christchurch Foundation

We're thrilled to support Christchurch's Economic ambitions. It's fantastic to see a future-thinking, positive-impact, city-wide approach. To make the most of this opportunity, our business is shifting more of our focus, team, and operations to Christchurch.

Tim Dorrian - Managing Director Aro Digital

I welcome and support the Christchurch Economic Ambition. As someone looking to build a successful business in Christchurch, the principles and language of the Ambition are fundamental to the changes we need in our economy. The work being done by ChristchurchNZ to lead and champion this will be pivotal to bring this into reality.

Craig Galloway - CEO Baseplate