Christchurch Aerospace Sector
With a current global value of $360 billion and estimates of a $2.7 trillion industry by 2050, the field of aerospace and future transport holds great opportunity for Christchurch and the Canterbury region.
With clear airways, proximity to international air and sea ports, and access to infrastructure and talent, Christchurch is a hub for aerospace and future transport innovation.
In 2022 the New Zealand Government developed a new Aerospace Strategy for New Zealand, to help build a globally-competitive sector by 2030. Much of that growth is concentrated in Christchurch, due to the city’s geographically advantageous position and thriving aerospace community.
The Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre is located just outside of Christchurch city and is an innovative indigenous-lead aerospace venture which encompasses testing, flight and launch capability.
Christchurch is home to nearly a third of national aerospace engineering graduates providing a strong talent pool for the sector.
New Zealand’s aerospace industry body, Aerospace New Zealand, is headquartered in Christchurch and hosts a thriving network of aerospace and aerospace-adjacent businesses who regularly connect and collaborate, including Dawn Aerospace, Kea Aerospace, Aerosearch, Argus Group and Fabrum.
The key domains of space for Christchurch include:
- An excellent location to test future aerospace technologies
- A sustainability focus centred around using space and aerospace for good
- A strength in advanced aviation and the integration of new types of aircraft into our skies
- A significant hi-tech manufacturing and electronics sector underpinning our high growth sectors
- Close ties to Antarctica as a gateway city, with a focus on the application of aerospace technologies on the continent
- Three world class universities with a strong record of academic research.
More information on Christchurch aerospace sector available here.
Christchurch & Space Business Events
Christchurch is New Zealand’s second largest city and is located in the Canterbury region in the stunning South Island. The Business Events team is a business unit within the economic development agency for the city – ChristchurchNZ.
Christchurch is a premium business events destination – the city is globally connected with excellent flight options into the country’s second largest international airport, a flat and compact central city where everything is easily walkable, world-class conference infrastructure, a strong focus on the indigenous Māori culture, and incredible ‘bucket list’ experiences set amongst stunning scenery, for pre and post touring, partner programmes, and incentive travel.
Aerospace and future transport is one of the key sector clusters for Christchurch city, and the business events team works alongside experts in this field, ensuring business events are an enabler in the development of the sector.
In a broader context, the Christchurch Business Events team can assist with:
- International conference bidding, including support from Tourism New Zealand conference assistance programme
- Connections to local suppliers
- Marketing and promotional material
- A toolkit of ideas and resources for hosting purposeful business events in Christchurch
- Destination advice including touring itineraries
- Applications to the business events legacy investment fund.
Christchurch Key Contact
Claire Hector-Taylor
