Canterbury’s economic momentum is generating precisely the pressures that successful economies inevitably face: infrastructure struggling to stay ahead of demand, rapidly growing communities requiring new schools and roads, competition for skilled labour, escalating land values and increasingly complex debates over who pays for the enabling infrastructure that growth demands.
And yet there is another important shift underway.
Christchurch is developing a technology and innovation economy that sits alongside its traditional strengths in agriculture, manufacturing and logistics.
Fran O’Sullivan.
The city’s technology companies are increasingly operating in global markets, while the University of Canterbury and its engineering and science capabilities provide an important talent pipeline.
Canterbury has also developed a distinctive position in the emerging space economy, with companies and research organisations working across satellites, earth observation, advanced materials, aerospace and other technologies.
That matters because the next stage of regional prosperity will not simply come from producing more agricultural commodities. It will come from adding more value to what Canterbury already does exceptionally well — and commercialising the intellectual capital being generated in its universities, laboratories and businesses.
The aerospace and space story is particularly revealing. Christchurch has already developed a genuine innovation cluster: engineering expertise, specialist manufacturers, research capability and entrepreneurs prepared to tackle global markets from a relatively small city.
The new Te Kaha One New Zealand stadium adds another piece to that city-building equation. A stadium is easy to dismiss as an amenity project. But the bigger question is what it draws into Christchurch.
Major sporting events, concerts, conferences, exhibitions and entertainment bring visitors who spend across hotels, restaurants, retail, transport and hospitality. More importantly, a modern central city venue gives Christchurch another reason for people to come to the city – and another reason for businesses, investors and event organisers to see it as a destination rather than simply a place to pass through.
That matters for a city competing for talent and investment.
The stadium, the airport, the university, the innovation precincts and the emerging technology and space sectors that we report on today are pieces of the same larger story.
Christchurch Airport is expanding international services while investing heavily in freight, property and energy opportunities that will broaden its role as a major economic precinct.
Lyttelton Port is pursuing significant investment to increase resilience and capacity as export volumes and freight expectations continue to rise.
I was in Christchurch when the devastating Magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck at 12.51pm on February 22, 2011.
The Herald’s Business reports team went regularly to Christchurch to report on the recovery.
The city’s early vision for a “21st century city with a beating heart; a green connected hub in a thriving economic region” has now become reality.
The Herald’s inaugural Project Canterbury report explores the businesses, civic leaders, infrastructure providers, innovators and investors helping drive the southern province’s economic momentum — but also the tensions beneath the headline numbers.
Read more stories from the Herald’s Project Canterbury special report here.