Australian Event Professionals Create Memories In Ōtautahi Christchurch
The chance to experience a vibrant, beautiful and accessible city, and deep connections with people and nature created lasting memories for Australian event professionals visiting Ōtautahi Christchurch this summer.
The group of five leading Australian PCOs and incentive organisers, who spent a long weekend here in January, relished the opportunity to take to the road with their partners and explore the city, coastlines, rivers and mountains at their own pace.
As well as discovering awe-inspiring spaces, their experience of the people they met – their warmth, openness, fun and professionalism – were highlights of their four-day Christchurch discovery.
This city snapshot and self-discovery tour left them excited and inspired for future opportunities here, and confidently able to recommend the city and region to their clients.
What They Said
Karly Gniel, KG EventsI was blown away by how green Christchurch was with its leafy lined streets and the beautiful clear water of the river. I loved that you could walk almost anywhere you needed to go and that the streets were clean, and light filled everywhere you went.
We were so fortunate to have so many wonderful experiences during our time in Christchurch. Riwai's walking tour was a fantastic introduction to Christchurch which really set the scene for the days to follow. His passion and enthusiasm for Christchurch was contagious and his explanation of the vision for the city and for the future generations was wonderful.
Having the opportunity to take to the road and explore at our own pace was fantastic. I always like to see unique venues / private spaces that are sometimes not accessible to the general public - they are always a big win for small group incentives.
Now I feel confident to promote Christchurch and encourage clients to consider it for their events.
Everyone has the same aspirational vision for Christchurch and an overwhelming positivity surrounding the future of the city - their enthusiasm was contagious.”
Nell Harrison, The Association SpecialistsOur famil really highlighted the accessibility of the city, the amazing story telling and links to legacy that have become important components of conference programming.
Te Pae has been truly road tested and 100% ready for amazing conferences. The walkability of the city also became much clearer to me.
A remarkable city that was showcased and highlighted by the many wonderful operators and suppliers. To witness the many activities, venues and culinary experiences through not only my 'professional eyes' but also the eyes of my partner was a great way to really understand a 'day in the life of a delegate' from a different perspective. I am excited about the future opportunities that Christchurch presents for our many clients.”
Tim Hancock, ASN EventsChristchurch has everything our clients look for in conference destinations. It was truly memorable.
Recommending a destination is very closely linked to memories, and I’ll forever have great memories of Christchurch and the company.
The easy access from airport to hotel and potentially to venue all in the same day is a unique feature too.”
Ron Anderson, Unicorn GroupChristchurch is an outstanding destination for all business events, including incentives.
Christchurch city itself was just so pretty, and accessible. Being able to walk/ride/scooter around without coaches/cars is a major selling point.”
City Highlights
The group met at Crowne Plaza Christchurch hotel after their easy three-hour flights from Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast on a Thursday afternoon. They were set for a long weekend designed to be part-hosted, and part self-drive discovery.
On arrival at Christchurch Airport, and an insight into the ease of access into this South Island hub, they were shown the dedicated lounge for welcoming business event groups.
A relaxed dinner together at the city’s acclaimed Roca, a short walk along Ōtautahi Christchurch’s riverside promenade - The Terrace started the weekend in style.
Friday was a day of exploring Christchurch city and business events venues, discovering its walkability and its rich stories. A highlight was an inner-city walking tour with world-renowned guide Riwai Grace of Amiki Tours who passionately shared the city’s vision and its cultural heritage. He inspired the group with the people of Ōtautahi Christchurch’s conscious and collective efforts to be good ancestors – creating a beautiful, vital new city as a legacy for future generations. They were able to see Māori values in action across the city, discovering Kaitiakitanga - the connectedness between people and the environment, and people to each other, and Manaakitanga – generous, warm hospitality.
In two groups, meeting half way, the guests saddled up for a sightseeing bike tour with Chill Bikes, along with a private tour of Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre. This world-class venue is an architectural and social landmark in the heart of the city, designed and purpose-built to respond to a full range of event requirements.
With leisurely stops, showing how easy it is to get around, they viewed key venues including the stunning modern Christchurch Art Gallery – ideal for social dinners and, nearby, the Victorian neo-Gothic heritage gem, The Arts Centre. Dating back to 1877, the expansive cluster of stone buildings has a rich history and is home to galleries, museums, cinemas, boutique retailers, bars and eateries, and stunning event venues.
The two groups reunited to the thrill of paddling a hand-crafted waka (canoe) down the Ōtakaro-Avon river, and learned about the importance of the waka to Māori culture with Waka on Avon. They were greeted on the river bank at the impressive Christchurch Town Hall for a site inspection and a lunch with some of Christchurch's key business event operators, themed by award-winning designer Kim Chan. This beautifully restored venue offers a range of event spaces and exceptional cuisine created from locally sourced produce.
Coinciding with the opening of Christchurch’s long-running summer street festival, Bread and Circus - the World's Buskers Festival, the city was buzzing with music and live acts and the group joined in for some unexpected fun - a silent disco city walk.
Next up, a visit to cool little gin boutique, Juniper Collective, to discover delicious flavours from local distilleries. Then, revealed in the next laneway, Riverside Markets, a seven-day indoor market showcasing local growers and small businesses in the heart of the city. Home to a myriad of restaurants and bars, it is an ideal after-6pm group social event. Above the markets, the discovered the charming Riverside Kitchen cook school and enjoyed flexing their chefing skills before sharing a delicious dinner together.
Weekend Of Self-Discovery
Wrapped in the famil programme were elements of ‘choose your own’ adventure. Each couple took to the road in luxury cars from Touchdown Rentals situated in the city at Hotel Montreal. They could either head inland to the high country for a quintessential South Island alpine experience ,or drive north to spectacular Kaikōura for a coastal wildlife experience where the alps meet the ocean.
Those who drove the 2.5 hours to Kaikoura stayed at the beautiful new beachfront hotel, Sudima Kaikoura, and journeyed further north that evening for dinner at Hapuku Lodge, sampling the beautiful local seafood there.
The next day they joined Whale Watching Kaikoura for a VIP experience on the deep ocean trench, enraptured by the chance to see massive whales at sea, tiny Hector’s dolphins beside the boat, tuna racing through waves, and huge kahawai leaping by the bow.
Another highlight was Ecozip Kaikoura, a world-class new activity with expert guides, where adventure is combined with breathtaking views of the plains and the incredible seaward Kaikōura mountain ranges and native forest. Across five ziplines and over 2.2km at high speed, they traversed twin lines in a side-by-side adventure for an exhilarating, shared experience.
Those travelling inland to Terrace Downs, stopped first for coffee at Untouched World Kitchen, part of this sustainable fashion’s flagship store in a beautiful setting near Christchurch Airport.
Driving inland, they witnessed the majestic Rakaia river – one of the largest braided rivers in New Zealand, glacially fed and in full flow one day, calm the next, and a jetboating mecca.
Staying at Fable Terrace Downs’ private villas, with a myriad of on-site facilities including a championship golf course, they drove to nearby Methven village at the foot of Mt Hutt to experience Ōpuke Thermal Pools and Spa, the region’s latest wellness destination featuring spectacular design and location. They enjoyed the ultimate Ōpuke experience – the Solar Tubs nestled away for privacy, with panoramic views of the Southern Alps, and explored the Tranquillity Pool with its swim-up bar, before a relaxing massage.
From Methven it was a 30-minute drive to GCH Aviation’s impressive helicopter and private jet base at Christchurch Airport, from where they soared across the city to Banks Peninsula, for a breath-taking perspective on Christchurch’s stunning coastline, Lyttleton port and a myriad of bays, surf beaches, hills and plains.
Later, the group gathered for their final night at Christchurch’s award-winning and newly renovated luxury hotel, The George. Over cocktails in the lobby bar, they relaxed to share stories and memories, relive the moments and promise to connect again in Christchurch, before dinner showcasing delicious local produce and distinctive South Island wines.
What They Said
Ron Anderson, Unicorn GroupChristchurch is an outstanding destination for all business events, including incentives.
Christchurch city itself was just so pretty, and accessible. Being able to walk/ride/scooter around without coaches/cars is a major selling point.
Tim Hancock, ASN EventsChristchurch has everything our clients look for in conference destinations. It was truly memorable.
Recommending a destination is very closely linked to memories, and I’ll forever have great memories of Christchurch and the company.
The easy access from airport to hotel and potentially to venue all in the same day is a unique feature too.
Karly Gniel, KG EventsI was blown away by how green Christchurch was with its leafy lined streets and the beautiful clear water of the river. I loved that you could walk almost anywhere you needed to go and that the streets were clean, and light filled everywhere you went.
We were so fortunate to have so many wonderful experiences during our time in Christchurch. Riwai's walking tour was a fantastic introduction to Christchurch which really set the scene for the days to follow. His passion and enthusiasm for Christchurch was contagious and his explanation of the vision for the city and for the future generations was wonderful.
Having the opportunity to take to the road and explore at our own pace was fantastic. I always like to see unique venues / private spaces that are sometimes not accessible to the general public - they are always a big win for small group incentives.
Now I feel confident to promote Christchurch and encourage clients to consider it for their events.
Everyone has the same aspirational vision for Christchurch and an overwhelming positivity surrounding the future of the city - their enthusiasm was contagious.
Nell Harrison, The Association SpecialistsOur famil really highlighted the accessibility of the city, the amazing story telling and links to legacy that have become important components of conference programming.
Te Pae has been truly road tested and 100% ready for amazing conferences. The walkability of the city also became much clearer to me.
A remarkable city that was showcased and highlighted by the many wonderful operators and suppliers. To witness the many activities, venues and culinary experiences through not only my 'professional eyes' but also the eyes of my partner was a great way to really understand a 'day in the life of a delegate' from a different perspective. I am excited about the future opportunities that Christchurch presents for our many clients.
