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Ōtautahi Christchurch’s economic development agency has appointed two new board members to drive strategic investment and sector productivity, while also focusing on visitor attraction and a busy major events calendar in 2026.
Mary Devine and Hamish Blackman have been appointed as independent directors to the ChristchurchNZ board, bolstering the agency’s governance with institutional investment expertise and commercial strategy.
“We are thrilled to have secured two experienced and commercially minded new directors to join our board, and I am looking forward to working with both Mary and Hamish over the coming years to ensure ChristchurchNZ continues to deliver the best possible value for the ratepayer,” says ChristchurchNZ board chair Lauren Quaintance.
Mary is chief executive of Foodstuffs South Island, overseeing $4 billion in revenue and 14,000 team members across the co-operative. She brings decades of experience in retail leadership, having previously held senior roles at EziBuy, Ballantynes & Co, and Hallenstein Glassons.
Her governance portfolio is extensive, including directorships with major New Zealand entities such as Meridian Energy, Christchurch City Holdings, IAG NZ and Briscoes Group, among others. She has also served on the boards of both Foodstuffs South Island and Foodstuffs New Zealand. In recognition of her contributions to business, she was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2013.
“Christchurch and Canterbury have already achieved so much, showing real resilience and creativity along the way. Joining ChristchurchNZ is a chance to build on that legacy. I am excited to help guide the agency through the opportunities and challenges ahead – with a focus on delivering long-term benefits for our region and communities,” says Mary.
Hamish has more than 20 years’ experience across global financial markets and growth investing.
He is a Christchurch-based investment executive with extensive experience in financial management and institutional governance. While working at New Zealand Super Fund, he held governance roles across his investment portfolio responsibilities and built institutional investor networks both domestically and offshore.
He previously served as chief investment officer at GreenMount Capital, where he led strategic investment initiatives backed by Ngāi Tahu Holdings, and he also worked at Murray & Co.
“Ōtautahi Christchurch is entering an exciting new chapter and I look forward to supporting ChristchurchNZ in driving strategic investment in the city’s growth sectors, accelerating commercial attraction and unleashing the economic potential of the region,” says Hamish.
Mary and Hamish’s tenure is effective from the ChristchurchNZ AGM on November 27, 2025. Non-executive director Toby Selman has stepped down.
