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Adaptation Futures 2025 delivered an estimated $2.5m in visitor spend to Christchurch, but ChristchurchNZ says the global climate conference’s lasting value goes well beyond that.
The conference brought 2,000 delegates to Ōtautahi Christchurch. A year on, the Ōtautahi Christchurch Adaptation Challenge has seen teams of early-career researchers and professionals develop ideas to tackle the city’s flooding, stormwater, sea-level rise and heat resilience issues.
ChristchurchNZ general manager of visitor economy Anne Newman says the spend is only part of the return.
“While Adaptation Futures 2025 delivered an estimated $2.5 million in visitor spend to Christchurch, one of its most enduring outcomes is the Ōtautahi Christchurch Adaptation Challenge. The initiative connects Christchurch with emerging global research talent, generating new ideas and potential solutions to help inform the city’s future approach to climate adaptation.”
The challenge was created by the conference’s co-convenors at the University of Canterbury, with ChristchurchNZ putting money behind it.
“ChristchurchNZ invested $10,000 as a direct funding for this legacy initiative,” Anne says.
The winning teams have since presented their ideas to Christchurch City Council staff, including the Three Waters team. In August, the conference was named Business Event of the Year at the 2026 New Zealand Event Awards.
Anne says legacy will play a part in how ChristchurchNZ bids for future international conferences.
“Legacy initiatives are an important part of ChristchurchNZ’s approach to business events, helping turn conferences into long-term value for the city and region. They connect global expertise with local talent, build enduring research and business relationships, raise Christchurch’s international profile, and support growth and innovation in key sectors.”
Medical and science events lead Christchurch’s upcoming conference calendar.
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists annual scientific meeting brings 900 delegates to the city from October 22 to 24. It is followed by the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society Asia Pacific Conference, with 1,000 delegates from October 27 to 30.
Next year, the International Association for Impact Assessment’s annual conference will bring 1,000 delegates from April 17 to 24, followed by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists conference, also with 1,000 delegates, from May 16 to 20.
