As the second largest city in New Zealand, Ōtautahi Christchurch is a place that never stands still. It has a thriving but compact business centre, superb access to the beach, bush and mountains, great shopping and a lively arts and entertainment scene. The award winning restaurants and cafes, huge range of leisure activities and the city's beautiful surrounds keeps visitors returning again and again.

Founded just over 150 years ago, the city was planned with foresight and the location was strategic - at the centre of New Zealand's South Island with very easy access to the mountains, lakes, rivers, harbours and beaches providing a myriad of recreation opportunities including skiing, golf, bungy jump, white water rafting, mountain biking, hot-air ballooning, wind surfing, whale watching and the opportunity to visit world class wineries and gardens.

With such a range of scenery and attractions located within a relatively small geographical space, Christchurch is the city that offers the best of New Zealand and no matter what time of the year, it is always worth a visit.