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Christchurch is heading into the second half of 2025 with strong momentum and even stronger aspirations, following an exceptional summer season that brought more than 96,000-plus unique attendees to seven major events — contributing an estimated 78,000 visitor nights and $13.25 million in visitor spending.
Building on this success, several major events are set to draw further attention to the city, including the Festival of Brass, Doc Edge, the Addington and Riccarton Races, and the Constellation Cup. Together, these are expected to bring in approximately 14,000 visitors, 36,000 visitor nights and a further $7.6 million in visitor spending.
Tourism operators also benefitted from the “Winter Different” campaign, aimed at encouraging Australians to consider a cooler-season escape to the Central South Island. The campaign, which ran until June 30, was supported by $600,000 in funding from MBIE’s Regional Tourism Boost Fund and featured more than 150 exclusive offers across accommodation, hospitality, and experiences in Canterbury and the West Coast.
Business events drive year-round visitation
Christchurch continues to strengthen its reputation as a business events hub, with 23 conferences and incentive events confirmed between July and December. These are expected to attract more than 7700 delegates and generate approximately $12 million in visitor spending, with August and October shaping up to be a standout month.
Noteworthy events include:
- Adaptation Futures 2025, hosted by the University of Canterbury, bringing more than 1300 delegates and wide public engagement.
- The New Zealand Aerospace Summit, expecting 800 attendees.
- The International Society of Arboriculture Conference, which includes a tree-climbing competition and will attract around 900 participants.
Tourism spend and trends
Despite a slight overall dip in visitor card spending — down 0.4 per cent year-on-year to March 2025 — international spending is on the rise, offsetting a decline in domestic spending. The January–March quarter saw a five per cent drop compared to the same period in 2024, again due to a decrease in domestic visitor spend.
Canterbury locals remain the biggest spenders in the city, accounting for 18 per cent of total visitor card transactions, followed by Aucklanders (11 per cent) and American visitors (9 per cent).
Ōtautahi’s unique offering
Christchurch’s appeal lies in its ease of access and diversity of experience. Home to New Zealand’s second-largest airport and with more than 110 weekly international flights, the city is the gateway to the South Island and a compact, walkable destination in its own right.
From its vibrant city centre to nearby beaches, vineyards, ski fields, and hot springs, Christchurch offers both convenience and adventure. Visitors can explore urban attractions or escape into nature — all within a few hours’ reach.
Looking to the future
“It’s an exciting time to be in Christchurch, and our recent success has shown the importance to New Zealand’s visitor sector of a strong and resilient Christchurch — as both the gateway to the South Island and the second largest destination in New Zealand,” says a ChristchurchNZ spokesperson.
As tourism continues to rebound, ChristchurchNZ is encouraging local businesses to capitalise on the city’s growing reputation by aligning with the Ōtautahi Christchurch brand. Through initiatives like the Destination Partner Programme, businesses can gain access to national and international promotional opportunities and ensure their marketing reflects the city’s unique identity.
With solid foundations laid and new initiatives in motion, 2025 is shaping up to be a transformative year for Christchurch’s visitor economy — one that positions the city firmly as a must-visit destination for both domestic and international travellers.
Help available for businesses include the Destination Partner programme and the ChristchurchNZ asset toolkit.
