The Garden City Of Tech: How Christchurch Blooms Over The Rest
When it comes to building a tech company, location is everything. And in New Zealand, Christchurch stands out as the perfect place to sow the seeds of innovation and watch them bloom.
One of the key reasons for this is the well-supported tech export sector in New Zealand. The government has invested heavily in this area, providing tax incentives and funding for research and development. This has created an environment where tech startups can thrive, with access to a wide range of resources and support networks.
In addition to government support, Christchurch boasts a thriving high-tech manufacturing sector that sets it apart from other cities in New Zealand. The city’s engineering firms are known for their expertise in telecommunications, power distribution, jet propulsion, aerospace components, medical devices and other cutting-edge technologies that require precision engineering skills. This has helped establish Christchurch as a hub for high-tech manufacturing within New Zealand.
Christchurch’s strategic focus on four industry clusters also makes it an attractive destination for tech companies looking to grow. These clusters include [Aerospace and Future Transport], [Food, Fibre & Agritech], [HealthTech] and [Hi-tech] — each representing unique opportunities for businesses operating within these areas to collaborate with one another.
The Aerospace and Future Transport cluster is particularly exciting given Christchurch’s proximity to Antarctica and the unimpeded vastness of the Pacific Ocean. With its world-class airport facilities and network of rocket and satellite componentry, Christchurch is well-positioned to take advantage of emerging opportunities in space exploration and commercial aviation.
The Food, Fibre & Agritech cluster represents another area where Christchurch shines. With access to some of the best farmland in New Zealand covering the Canterbury plains, Lincoln University with its world-class agricultural facilities, as well as high-tech processing & research facilities within the city itself, companies operating within this cluster have everything they need at their fingertips.
HealthTech is another area where Christchurch is making waves thanks to its strong links with both Canterbury University’s Health Sciences Division & Otago Universities Christchurch Campus. With a focus on developing new medical technologies and therapies that can improve patient outcomes, this cluster is attracting some of the brightest minds in the industry.
And last but not least, the Hi-tech cluster encompasses everything from software development to advanced robotics, making it an ideal destination for tech companies looking to develop cutting-edge products and services be it Web3, AI, or anything in between.
Like any good garden, Christchurch’s tech ecosystem is diverse and vibrant. For the fourth year in a row, New Zealand is the economy with the most business-friendly environment. The country earned top scores for “starting a business,” And with so many talented individuals coming out of the four local universities, there’s never been a better time or place to start growing your own tech business.
So if you’re looking for somewhere that will help your tech company flourish like a well-tended garden, look no further than Christchurch. With its supportive ecosystem, thriving manufacturing sector and strategic focus on key industry clusters, it truly is The Garden City Of Tech.
