Business here

Latest economic data from Infometrics confirms that business in Mid Canterbury continues to outperform the rest of the country as it has for the past 10 years.

But that is no surprise because the key ingredients for business success are right here in abundance in Mid Canterbury; natural resources, excellent transport links, reliable labour force, talented businesspeople & entrepreneurs, quality lifestyle and convenient location to name just a few.

Mid Canterbury is the grain bowl of New Zealand and, arguably, the most productive dairy farming region. Agri-business innovation has driven economic growth and with sustained international demand for food over the next 40 years the economic future of this district is extremely bright.

But Mid Canterbury is not just a food producing region. The region's economic advantages coupled with highly innovative business people have stimulated a large range of industries producing high quality products and services for local consumption and export around the world. The district engineering businesses for example are 1.5x the size of the average New Zealand engineering business.

The district is also known for its natural beauty and tourism opportunities. It was a key film location for the world famous Lord of the Rings Trilogy and boasts Mt Hutt, one of the country's best known and most accessible skifields.

Mid Canterbury is the location to establish your business

Mid Canterbury's reliable labour force, affordable commercial and residential properties, up to date business support services, quality professional services, modern infrastructure, outstanding lifestyle opportunities and strategic location make this district the obvious choice to establish your business.

The newly opened Ashburton Business Estate is a modern, purpose built business park offering all the vital elements businesses need to succeed, from high speed broadband access to rail and road transport access. Located minutes from town with easy access for trucking and parking you can get the space your business needs at an affordable price.

The district is well served by quality infrastructure such as; electrical transmission, road and rail links, aerodrome, water reticulation waste water treatment and broadband (including a major district wide fibre optic cable upgrade currently underway).

Strategic Location

Ashburton District is strategically located in the centre of the South Island only one hour from Christchurch, New Zealand's 2nd city and the country's 2nd largest international airport and halfway between the ports of Lyttelton (Christchurch) and Timaru.

The main trunk railway line and State Highway One run through the centre of the district and the main town of Ashburton creating ease of transportation anywhere in the country or the world.

Distance to Port of Lyttelton	90 kms
Distance to Port of Timaru	77 kms
Distance to International Airport	85 kms
Distance to Christchurch City centre	87 kms

Setting up your business

Setting up, relocating and growing your business in Ashburton District is easy. The district has a business friendly council and Grow Mid Canterbury, the region's Economic Development Agency, is dedicated to helping business grow. Our people have a wealth of local and specialised knowledge and work closely with other business organisations to access resources and contacts to assist your business growth.

Grow Mid Canterbury actively assists businesses, providing practical business support, on-going connections and introductions and assistance to access grants, support programmes and capital.

Growing your business

Grow Mid Canterbury offers business support, capability training and confidential advice from experienced business advisors to help your business grow and prosper. The business community in Ashburton District is welcoming and dynamic and networking opportunities are available to assist in developing your enterprise.

Trades Experience & Placement

The Grow Mid Canterbury Youth Broker (YB) works with young people from Ashburton College, Mt Hutt College and the wider community as an advocate in finding suitable work experience, employment and future careers for them within the district. The YB is the local contact for the Canterbury Youth Transition Services which provides customized support for all youth school leavers who need direction or advice. These youth are supported, as needed or wanted, until the age of 20.

The YB networks with the business community to source employment opportunities and match positions to suitable youth. The focus is on attracting more young people into trades and apprenticeships in the local area.

The successful course offers a variety of work placements for students to sample throughout the school year, with the overall outcome resulting in a full time job opportunity or apprenticeship.