The South Island is stepping forward with confidence this election year, bringing together business and political leaders for what is shaping up to be the largest pre-election gathering of its kind in the region.
Business Canterbury, alongside Chambers of Commerce and industry associations, have this week announced they are holding an inaugural South Island Election Conference. This major pre-election event is designed to showcase the region’s momentum and help shape its future.
Business Canterbury Chief Executive, Leeann Watson says, “With senior political leaders taking the stage, and a strong cross-section of business covering the South Island in attendance, the conference will send a clear signal that the South Island is ready to play an even bigger role in New Zealand’s economic growth story as we move forward.”
“The timing for this conference is deliberate. Right now, the South Island has strong economic growth and is full of opportunity, and we’re seeing real momentum across a range of sectors.
“This is about setting the South Island up for the future by ensuring the opportunities are well known across political parties and that we continue to see investment ahead of demand in our growing South Island economy, amplifying it and making sure it’s front and centre as political parties set their priorities for the election campaign and future Governments.
From food and fibre exports to renewable energy, tourism and advanced manufacturing, the South Island is entering a period of real economic strength. Its geography and scale, long seen as challenges, are increasingly being recognised as competitive advantages that position the region to drive growth and continue to increase the economic contribution to New Zealand.
Watson says the conference is about exploring the levers to unlock that potential.
“We know the South Island already makes a significant contribution to the national economy, but we also know there’s headroom to do more. With the right policy settings, investment and focus, this is a region that can help lift New Zealand’s overall economic performance.
Designed to provide business across the South Island a platform to have these conversations, the conference will create a direct line between those driving the region’s economy and those seeking to shape it. Political leaders from across the spectrum will take part, including addresses from both the National and Labour Party leaders, alongside focused conversations on the issues that matter most to the regions of the South Island.
Those discussions will span the economic agenda including productivity, innovation and tax settings as well as workforce challenges such as immigration, education, health and safety, and industrial relations. A dedicated South Island infrastructure debate will also bring into focus one of the most important enablers of growth.
Watson says the emphasis is on constructive, forward-looking engagement.
“This is about having practical, grounded conversations about how we continue to support the growth across the South Island. We want to hear directly from political leaders about how they see the South Island’s role in the economy, and how they intend to support the opportunities that exist here.
An important feature of the conference is the level of alignment behind it, with Chambers of Commerce and industry associations from across the South Island working together in a coordinated effort to elevate the region’s voice.
Queenstown Business Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive, Sharon Fifield says, “The collaboration reflects growing confidence across the South Island.
“Across the South Island, we’re seeing businesses that are ambitious, outward-looking and ready to grow.
“This conference is an opportunity to bring that collective energy together and ensure decision-makers understand both the scale of opportunity and what’s needed to unlock it.”
Business South Chief Executive, Mike Collins says, “It is a chance to highlight the strengths that set the region apart. The South Island’s economy is diverse, resilient and deeply connected to local and global markets.
“By coming together in this way, we’re sending a strong, positive signal about the role this region can play in driving New Zealand’s future prosperity.”
As the election campaign gathers pace, Business Canterbury says the conference is about ensuring the South Island’s opportunity story is both heard clearly and enabled through future investment and policy that will drive innovation, productivity and growth.
“This isn’t about competing with other regions, we simply want to be able to contribute more. The South Island has a huge amount to offer, and this is our moment to bring that into focus and help shape what comes next.”
Note: The Chambers and organisations supporting the South Island Election Conference are:
- Business South
- Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce
- Queenstown Business Chamber of Commerce
- South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce
- Southland Chamber of Commerce
- Wanaka Business Chamber
- Marlborough Chamber of Commerce
- Family Business Association
- Hospitality NZ
- Infrastructure NZ.
Business Canterbury is proudly partnering with the Christchurch International Airport, Scenic Hotel Group, Wynn Williams and the New Zealand Herald to deliver this event.
Business Canterbury, formerly Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce, is the second largest Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand and the largest business support organisation in the South Island. It advocates on behalf of its members for an environment more favourable to innovation, productivity and sustainable growth.