3 Jul 2017

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Christchurch now has a single organisation to promote tourism, major events, international education and economic development.

The new organisation, ChristchurchNZ, officially came into existence on July 1.

It was set up by Christchurch City Council to bring together the work previously done by the Canterbury Development Corporation, Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism, International Education, and the Council’s Major Events and City Promotions Teams.

“Christchurch NZ will be working to optimise the economic opportunities that tourism, major events, city promotion and economic development can bring to Christchurch and Canterbury,’’ says Council Chief Executive Dr Karleen Edwards.

“This new organisation is going to allow us to build a stronger, combined approach to the delivery of the Christchurch Visitor Strategy, business investment, talent attraction, international education and the city’s range of high-profile events.

“ChristchurchNZ will also be working to ensure we have a business environment that supports successful and sustainable enterprise and encourages creativity and innovation,’’ Dr Edwards says.

A recruitment process is currently under way for a Chief Executive to head ChristchurchNZ but in the meantime Tom Hooper, who was the Canterbury Development Corporation’s Chief Executive, is heading the organisation.

Mr Hooper, who has been leading the planning and organisation of the transition to ChristchurchNZ, has advised he does not wish to be considered for the role of Chief Executive. He will stay on as interim Chief Exeuctive until a new Chief Executive is appointed.

ChristchurchNZ will be based, from August 1, in the new BNZ Centre in the heart of Christchurch’s city centre.