We’re speaking your language
The main language of New Zealand is English. Mäori is the second official language of the country. The New Zealand accent has been linked to the British and Australian accents. There are a number of foreign language speakers in Christchurch due to many years of immigration and increasing numbers of foreign students. The number of students studying in New Zealand who are fluent in other languages is considerable. New Zealand has a strong attraction for international students, particularly from Asia.
A number of English language schools along with the high schools and tertiary institutions in Christchurch attract thousands of international students each year to study english in Canterbury. There is a strong language school cluster in Christchurch called Education Christchurch & Canterbury.
Immigration
Canterbury is immigration friendly. The New Zealand immigration system has transparent and relatively simple regulations covering general skills migrants, long & short term business migrants and investor migrations.
There are investment thresholds for some categories and a points system for general migrants. Recent changes in immigration laws have streamlined these categories and made it simpler to bring key staff of your existing business into New Zealand in the short or longer term.
Further information: New Zealand Immigration Service
Lifestyle Advantages
Residential Property
Residential real estate is extremely competitively priced, making it easy to “make yourself at home” in Canterbury. Whether you want to rent or buy, you will find Canterbury less expensive than New Zealand’s other main centres.
With its many lifestyle options, Christchurch and Canterbury are a house hunter’s dream. Whether you love the proximity and culture of apartment living, a 19th century villa, or a lifestyle block on the outskirts of the city, you will find a place to come home to in Canterbury.
Canterbury’s residential rates are the lowest in the country.
Health Care
Canterbury has your health care covered. There are 31 hospitals (public, private and specialist), 194 other health and medical clinics and an excellent ratio of 2.1 doctors for every 1000 people.
Education
Christchurch has many premier private primary and secondary schools with fees ranging from NZ $8545 - $9599 per year. These premier schools also offer students boarding options.
University fees for degree courses are extremely competitive and are in a series of “fee bands” ranging from $3410 - $4210 .
Entertainment
Christchurch is one of the most liveable cities in the world with ease of access to a wide variety of cultural activities and extreme adventures. With its own symphony orchestra and art gallery, a biennial arts festival, music festivals and several other large community events, Christchurch is a cultural haven. Sports, recreation and entertainment facilities are comparable with other major New Zealand cities.
- Christchurch city has more than 740 parks & reserves
- The spectacular Southern Alps provide a winter playground - 13 ski fields within easy reach of Christchurch
- The coasts, rivers and lakes provide abundant fishing and recreation
- Canterbury also has 26 golf clubs including one in the centre of the city, just five minutes' walk from the CBD
Further information: Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism; bethere.co.nz
What else makes Christchurch great?
- Transport - access for people and goods in and out x 24/7
- Telecommunications - virtually unlimited bandwidth
- Competitive workforce - skilled, cost-effective, stable
- Resource availability - plentiful, clean, reliable
- Lifestyle - diverse, accessible, fun!
Underpinned by much more...