Ōtautahi Christchurch

Christchurch is centrally located on the eastern side of New Zealand’s South Island and is the international and domestic hub for all major travel routes around the South Island.

Christchurch International Airport is just 10 kilometres or 15 minutes’ drive from central Christchurch. Regular taxi and shuttle services run between the airport and the central city, and hire car options are available in the terminal.

Regular flights connect Christchurch to 15 regional destinations around New Zealand. Direct international flights arrive into Christchurch International Airport from Singapore, China, Australia, Fiji and Rarotonga, connecting directly with destinations throughout Asia, Europe, USA, South America and the Middle East.

As well as Te Pae, Christchurch’s new convention centre, world-class facilities now underway in Christchurch include cutting-edge health and innovation precincts, and a metro sports facility.  Performing arts venues such as the Christchurch Town Hall are already now open. 

The city’s largest indoor venue currently is the Horncastle Arena, with space for a gala dinner experience for up to 2,500 guests, or smaller groups in its many corporate rooms. 

Venues with a difference include the Edwardian elegance of Isaac Theatre Royal, the award-winning architecture of the Transitional ‘cardboard’ Cathedral, and the historic Great Hall in the Arts Centre. The Air Force Museum of New Zealand, 15 minutes’ drive from the central city on the site of a former Royal New Zealand Air Force base, is ideal for large conferences and uniquely themed gala dinners. 

Christchurch has over 6,000 new or refurbished rooms in a wide variety of accommodation, from boutique luxury lodges and self-serviced apartments to modern hotels. 

New central city hotels include Crowne Plaza and Distinction Christchurch. The Novotel Christchurch Airport will be open late 2019 with a number of others currently in the pipeline.  

Residential conferencing options include Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square and Rydges Latimer Christchurch. The Novotel has space for up to 130 people in its modern meeting spaces, while Rydges Latimer offers 11 flexible meeting spaces and can cater for up to 400 delegates. At the airport, Sudima Christchurch Airport has a new executive wing and conference facilities to cater for up to 300 guests.  

Here in Canterbury you will find a huge range of activities, attractions and unique venues to support your event – all within easy reach of Christchurch International Airport. Take your pick of exhilarating or relaxing pre and post touring experiences just one to three hours’ drive from the city.

You could unwind in natural hot pools in Hanmer Springs, just 90 minutes north of Christchurch. 

Or for a dose of wildlife, get up close with whales, dolphins or seals in Kaikoura, two and half hours north of Christchurch.

Delight in artisan culture by hitting the food and wine trails, meeting local producers and sample award-winning cheeses, wines, farmers’ markets and colourful country stores.

Christchurch buzzes day and night with great food, cool bars, and an eclectic café culture. The city has over 900 cafes, restaurants and bars serving tastes of everything from ethnic shared plates and tapas to fine dining focusing on top local produce, all complemented by exceptional local wines and craft beers.

Christchurch and Canterbury’s vistas change dramatically to reflect its four distinct seasons. Long warm days are the norm in summer which starts in December, while from March, autumn brings vibrant colour to the city’s tree-lined streets. Winter starts in June with crisp clear days and stunning mountain-scapes, then acres of beautiful blossoms cover the avenues and parks to herald spring from September.