Business Canterbury

02/03/2026

Huge congratulations to our members who were winners and finalists in the Ashburton Business Awards! We’re so proud to be part of your journey, well done! 👏✨

Category Winners:
Tony Aiken, Excellence in Business Leadership
Fourflax Pet Supplements, Excellence in Export - Small Business
NZSki Ltd, Excellence in Environmental Sustainability
Rushton Marketing, Excellence in Professional Services

Finalists:
Canterbury Farm Services
Enviro Collective
Ōpuke Thermal Pools & Spa

25/02/2026

✨ We are thrilled to introduce our first speaker for the Women in Business Forum on March 12 ✨Dr Lucy Hone: Resilience Researcher & Grief Expert.

Globally respected for her groundbreaking work in resilience, Lucy blends cutting-edge science with lived experience and practical strategies that truly change the way we navigate challenge and uncertainty.

Her TED Talk - viewed more than 9 million times and ranked in TED’s Top 30 of all time, has inspired people around the world to rethink how we respond to adversity.

You can't miss this one: https://hubs.li/Q044K91w0

25/02/2026

🔥 We’re back! The first episode of the Bold Company Podcast Season 3 has landed. We’re kicking it off with a big conversation about Canterbury’s future.

In this episode, Tim sits down with Leeann Watson (Business Canterbury) and Cheryl de la Rey (University of Canterbury) to unpack the powerful role anchor institutions play in shaping Canterbury’s economic future: https://hubs.li/Q044z9lv0

They dive into:

🟢 What businesses really want from graduates
🟢 Why communication, critical thinking, and adaptability matter more than ever
🟢 How education must stay future-focused in an AI-driven world
🟢 The momentum building across our region - from record enrolments to major infrastructure

It’s a candid, forward-looking conversation about bold leadership, regional growth, and why Canterbury should be confidently telling its success story. This season is proudly supported by Christchurch Airport and the University of Canterbury. Shout out as well to our awesome producers at Ruffells.

🎙️ Tune in now...and let’s get bold.

24/02/2026

It was an honour hosting Hon. Todd McClay MP, Minister for Trade and Investment, alongside New Zealand’s Chief Negotiator, Vangelis Vitalis, for a focused session on the newly concluded New Zealand–India Free Trade Agreement 🤝

This is the first stop on the Minister's nationwide FTA roadshow. It was also a pleasure to welcome Nicola Grigg MP to the session.

Highlights include:

● Market access is improving. Tariffs are reduced or eliminated across key sectors, restoring competitiveness and creating a more level playing field following Australia’s agreement with India.

● Strong sector outcomes. Improved access for agriculture, horticulture and industrial goods - alongside new quota opportunities and tariff reductions for services and agritech - supports wider export growth.

● Implementation matters. Exporters must obtain a certificate of origin and understand rules of origin to access preferential tariffs, ensuring they realise the value of the agreement.

Thank you to our Global Trade Partners: Lyttelton Port Company, Kuehne+Nagel & Air New Zealand Cargo.

New Zealand Trade & Enterprise.

22/02/2026

We’ve launched into the year at full pace, with an incredible run of events over the past few weeks ⚡

Our popular 2026 Reserve Bank Lunch was held on Friday, where we had the privilege of welcoming Reserve Bank Governor, Dr Anna Breman.

Dr Breman shared valuable insights into the upcoming Monetary Policy Statement, what it signals for businesses navigating ongoing economic uncertainty, and her vision for the Reserve Bank as she steps into the role. Thank you to everyone who joined us!

A special thank you to our Lead Event Partner Westpac NZ, along with our supporting partners Enable Fibre Broadband, Air Force Museum of New Zealand, and Shipleys, your support makes events like this possible.

18/02/2026

Academy Funeral Services proudly displaying their Canterbury Trusted Certification across Ōtautahi Christchurch 👏🏆

16/02/2026

Our first major event of the year, Back to Business, took place last Thursday and what a way to start 2026! 🥂

It was extra special to host the event at the new Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre. Thank you to everyone who joined us and made it such a great evening.

A big thank you to our supporters: Beca, Christchurch Airport, Enable Fibre Broadband and New Zealand Media & Entertainment. This is just the beginning; we can’t wait to see you at more events throughout 2026!

📸 By the talented Victoria Ellison Photography.

12/02/2026

Canterbury is ready to lead.

The Canterbury Ambition, launched at our Back to Business event last night, is a piece of work led by the private sector and supported by local government. It builds on the confidence and momentum we are experiencing across Canterbury right now, with a focus on locking that in for decades to come through alignment, long-term ambition for the future of our region, and a clear understanding of what we need to protect and enhance to get there.

Through conversations with both local government and business leaders, we quickly reached a consensus that the connection between our environment, innovative spirit, and affordable housing and lifestyle is what sets us apart and should underpin our growth story moving forward.

Announcing this work in a room full of bold thinkers and doers felt incredibly fitting. The energy in the room reflected the ambition and optimism building across Canterbury. We’re proud to have this work now live and look forward to progressing it alongside the businesses and leaders who helped shape it.

This is just the beginning, with a clear roadmap to follow in partnership across the public and private sectors.

Learn more and view the summary document:
https://hubs.li/Q042YJsj0

11/02/2026

We're excited to share the latest recipients of the Canterbury Trusted certification, after a thorough and careful assessment process. Let’s give a big congratulations to these outstanding businesses 👏

🎉 Fabrum.
🎉 Clyne & Bennie Plumbing & Electrical
🎉 27 publishers Limited (Avenues magazine)

Backed by our trusted brand, Canterbury Trusted helps your business lead with trust, integrity, and responsibility. Discover more: https://www.businesscanterbury.co.nz/canterburytrustedoverview

09/02/2026

Calling for your thoughts! We are currently preparing a submission to the Environment Select Committee on the Government's reform of the resource management system - through two Bills - the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill.

We have prepared a high-level summary of the proposed changes on our website: https://hubs.li/Q041J3vj0

We would welcome any feedback or suggestions for our submission due in February. You can share your feedback through the form linked here: https://hubs.li/Q041J3m40

Discover how New Zealand's Resource Management Reform will impact Canterbury businesses by reducing costs, streamlining processes, and providing greater certainty for future investments.

08/02/2026

🚨 Canterbury businesses – we want YOUR hot take! 🚨

How’s business really going? Take our Quarterly Canterbury Business Survey – just 5 minutes to share your insights and help shape advocacy and support for the region.

🎁 Complete the survey and go in the draw to win a $500 Air New Zealand flight voucher ✈️

👉 Take the survey: https://hubs.li/Q042df7n0

04/02/2026

Canterbury Police do an amazing job in our community, and we’re proud to share this opportunity with local businesses 💪⚽

The Canterbury Police Football Team recently won the Police National Football Championship, and they’re now preparing to represent our district at the Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games in Queensland.

To help fund their trip, the team is running a limited advertising raffle in partnership with Star News Christchurch. It’s a great way for local businesses to get involved and show appreciation for the work our police do every day.

If you’d like to learn more, reach out to the Canterbury Police team here: adam.chambers@police.govt.nz