| 9 T T Kim Newth Outlook strong as confidence rebounds Business Canterbury REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Canterbury has a spring in its step, with business confidence having turned a corner over the past six months. More businesses are expecting stronger economic conditions to prevail this year. In turn, that’s flowing through to positive decisions on hiring staff and investment in property, plant and equipment. Business Canterbury Chief Executive, Leeann Watson, says it’s all pointing to an exciting year ahead for the region. “The latest November 2025 business survey showed the highest level of confidence since Covid,” she says. “The region is in a really good place. Canterbury’s unemployment rate is 3.7%, well below the 5.4% national average. Businesses are out there recruiting with some 900 new jobs being added each week. “We have GDP growth of +0.1% here, (compared to the national average of -0.9%) and the value of goods exported through the port is up 12% year on year.” Eight years ago, Leeann became the first ever woman appointed to lead what was then the Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce. It has since been through a process of transformation to become Business Canterbury, the home and voice of Canterbury business. With over 2700 members, Business Canterbury enables and supports businesses to thrive by providing a range of training opportunities, resources, and events that help the business community stay connected, informed and agile. The organisation also promotes local business innovation and success. For example, Business Canterbury recently launched Canterbury Trusted, a certification that recognises and celebrates businesses committed to leading with trust, integrity and responsibility in the region. Business Canterbury’s talented and passionate team bring considerable expertise and experience to their various roles supporting Canterbury’s businesses, whether it’s providing guidance on HR and employment law, advice on exports and market access, or helping with navigating government reforms. “Businesses are choosing to move here and investors are investing here. We have the highest internal net migration in New Zealand. This year, Canterbury has entered an exciting new chapter in its story.” “I feel proud and privileged to be working alongside some amazing people at Business Canterbury and amazing business leaders across our business community. “I get to engage with a wide variety of people, including those working on the frontline to the factory floor. Not a day goes by that I don’t learn something new. I love that about my job. “Right now, this region is the place to be in New Zealand. “Businesses are choosing to move here and investors are investing here. We have the highest internal net migration in New Zealand. This year, Canterbury has entered an exciting new chapter in its story.” She suggests Canterbury’s strength as a regional economy lies both in its resilience and diversity. Along with the region’s primary producers, there are engineering specialists and entrepreneurs and innovators breaking new ground in aerospace and advanced manufacturing. Having worked for the Chamber in four different roles over 28 years, Leeann certainly understands how challenging it has been at times over recent years. “[But] through it all, you learn the importance of being able to adapt to change. Right here, right now, change is a constant for everyone in business and in life. Following the earthquake rebuild, we have a brand new Christchurch and now some amazing new businesses like Leaft Foods and Kea Aerospace. I’m excited about the future of Canterbury.” Newly launched this year is the Canterbury Ambition, a two-page vision statement developed by Business Canterbury, led by businesses in the region and supported by the Canterbury Mayoral Forum that lays out a clear foundation for the region’s future growth. It urges investing ahead of demand in infrastructure, protecting the region’s competitive advantage in affordable housing and enabling innovation by ensuring regulation is fit for the future and aligned across the region. “We’re speaking with a clear and unified voice on where we want to go as a region, what’s important to us, and how we can protect and continue to invest in the things that are unique and special to us.” Business Canterbury Chief Executive Leeann Watson: “Not a day goes by that I don’t learn something new. I love that about my job.” With over 2700 members, Business Canterbury enables and supports businesses to thrive by providing a range of training opportunities, resources, and events that help the business community stay connected, informed and agile.
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