Paying tribute to Christchurch

We remain committed to Canterbury’s economic recovery, and will continue to work in partnership with the region’s internationalising businesses and the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority and for the duration of the recovery effort.

While there have been many challenges for Christchurch over the past year, manufacturing and exports from the region, which is home to some of New Zealand's leading businesses, remain strong.

Exports of goods from Christchurch via the port and airport have risen since the quakes, with year-on-year figures from August showing a 19.17% increase of cargo through the port and a 10.10% increase through the airport.

The Christchurch Market Connections Fund helped earthquake-affected Canterbury exporters reassure both existing and potential business partners that they were still operating – either by travelling overseas or hosting international clients here.

In total, we distributed $4 million of funding to over 260 Canterbury-based businesses.

Read about the how the fund helped eco-luxury fashion brandUntouched World and the Christchurch Business Survey - Earthquake Follow Up.

Innovation to the fore as rebuild begins

Christchurch sees a real opportunity to showcase New Zealand innovation and technology in the city's rebuild.

Plans have just been announced for New Zealand's largest subdivision utilising solar energy - and local exporter Enatel will supply the inverters for the solar panels to be installed as standard on all homes.

Enatel specialises in the design and manufacture of standby power solutions used in telecommunications, networking, wireless and industrial industries globally, as well as an Enasolar range of solar inverters for the renewable energy sector.

Enatel lost their premises in the city as a result of the February quake, but have relocated and are growing rapidly - they are involved in a number of solar projects in the UK and other markets. Each solar installation in the new subdivision will provide around a quarter of a typical home's energy needs.

Christchurch's high tech hub

The technology sector in Christchurch has been a shining light of innovation and growth.

In 2011, revenue generated by companies on the TIN100, a performance index of New Zealand companies developing science and technology-backed solutions, hit NZ$7 billion.

Number 4 on the TIN is Christchurch-based Tait Communications. Tait was at the scene with extra radio accessories for first responders immediately after the February 22nd earthquake, and its manufacturing facility was up and running within 24 hours to produce backup radios for the international search-and-rescue teams.

Tait is a global leader in designing, delivering and managing critical communications solutions for organisations around the world including getting London Buses ready for Olympics 2012. In the past 18 months, Tait has opened new international facilities in Vienna, Melbourne and Beijing. It also has facilities in the UK, Houston, Brisbane and Singapore.

Ninety-five percent of Tait Communications' revenue is export-based-exceeding US$150 million in 2011-and Tait invests more than 14 percent of total revenue into research and development.

Despite a challenging period last year for Canterbury businesses, Tait achieved record revenue and profit, and was also recently named a finalist in the 2012 New Zealand International Business Awards.

Nineteen of the top TIN companies are based in Christchurch, along with smaller emerging players in the tech sector. These include digital and new media companies like SLI Systems, Stickmen Studios, CerebralFix, Motim Technologies and health software business Emendo.

Emendo's capacity planning software CapPlan, which provides information about staffing requirements and availability of hospital resources, is implemented in hospitals in Australia, the US and Canada.

Game developers Stickmen Studios developed the critically acclaimed Doc Clock 1 game, which has sold thousands of units globally and was released on the PlayStation Network in Asia, America and Europe in 2011. A sequel is scheduled for release in early 2012.

SLI Systems develop learning-based search and navigation technology for publishers, ecommerce and corporate sites.

Their solutions not only help site visitors find products/information quickly and efficiently, they also help businesses to improve customer satisfaction by providing insights into visitors' behaviour that can inform development and marketing activity. The company boasts over 300 clients internationally, from Australia, to the UK, US and Brazil.

Motim Technologies develops software for the mobile marketing sector, and has already delivered successful solutions for leading global brands such as Coca-Cola, Nike, Ford, Toyota and Tsingtao beer. In partnership with international advertising agencies, the company's work has been acknowledged with a number of global awards including AdAge "Top 10 Marketing Apps" for its work with US retail giant Best Buy in 2010.