Christchurch, with its large number of parks, reserves and golf courses is also known as the ‘Garden City’. Eight ski fields are within 90 minutes’ drive of Christchurch and it also boasts some fine beaches, excellent boating and fishing, especially around Banks Peninsula.
The local economy mainly relies on the primary produce of the surrounding area: vegetables, specialist horticultural produce, grains, grapes, meat, dairy products, wool, aquaculture and timber. Secondary and emerging industries include tourism, light industrial engineering, manufacturing, software development, ICT, electronics and education. Canterbury offers an incomparable lifestyle. Christchurch has all the vibrancy of a big city without the hassles — there is no major traffic congestion or the social problems associated with larger metropolitan cities.
Instead it is a city of sophisticated charm with a lively nightlife, world-class restaurants and cultural activities and, above all, friendly, internationally focused people. With its temperate climate and the easy accessibility to the mountains and the sea, Canterbury is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts.