Source: Business Canterbury
Friday 14 August 2026, 9:30am – 2pm
Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre
All media are welcome to attend the South Island Election Conference. With more than 600 registrations, the conference will be the largest pre-election gathering of business and political leadership in the South Island. More information on the Conference can be found on the Business Canterbury website.
The schedule (with Katie Bradford as MC) includes:
- National Party Leader’s Address
- Economy Panel: Hon Nicola Willis, Hon David Seymour, Hon Barbara Edmonds, Chlöe Swarbrick, and Hon Mark Patterson
- Labour Party Leader’s Address
- Workforce Panel: Hon Erica Stanford, Hon Jan Tinetti, Laura McClure, Hon Mark Patterson, Francisco Hernandez
- South Island Infrastructure Debate: Hon Chris Bishop, Hon Kieran McAnulty
Media set-up must be completed before 10:00am when the conference opens. Media seating is limited (on a first taken basis), and space is limited for camera set-up. A direct audio feed is available.
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.