We have a significant opportunity in leveraging the strength of Christchurch as a destination. Christchurch, with its new infrastructure, sought-after universities and reasonable house prices makes it highly appealing not just for visitors, but education, business and as a place to settle.
What will it take to kickstart New Zealand’s economy?
We need our key export earners of agriculture and tourism to be powered up and competing more aggressively on the world stage. This takes a strong brand New Zealand to help get cut through. We also need the right financial settings to make New Zealand attractive to investors along with a declining and predictable interest rate environment
How will a Trump presidency affect the geopolitical dynamics?
What are the concrete actions your company has taken to reduce climate change?
Christchurch Airport continues to lead in sustainability and climate change mitigation within the aviation industry. We have reduced over 90% of our scope 1 & 2 emissions, earning us the highest level of accreditation for decarbonisation by Airports Council International (ACI). Christchurch Airport is the only airport in the Southern Hemisphere to achieve this. Our focus has now shifted to how we can help others to decarbonise with our flagship development alongside partners Contact Energy and Lightsource of a 350-hectare solar farm, Kowhai Park, on the west side of the airport. Kowhai Park, which will be completed by the end of 2025, will generate 150MW of electricity or the equivalent energy to power 36,000 homes. The energy produced will sustainably power the airport campus and future aviation activities, including terminal requirements, future electric plane charging and the production of sustainable aviation fuel (Saf) for air transport
How are you increasing diversity in your business?
We pride ourselves on being a fair organisation, an inclusive team, one that embraces and reflects diversity and inclusion in all forms. Our aspiration is that we reflect the communities we serve and are an organisation that has the capability and understanding to embrace diversity and be inclusive. We have a number of diversity and inclusion initiatives across our team, from celebrating Chinese and Māori language weeks, being part of pride pledge, hidden disabilities programme, building cultural competency and women in leadership programmes.
What is your New Year’s resolution?
Catch a fish!
Where and how are you holidaying this Summer?
My family and I are going to be down in Central Otago, hopefully spending some quality time out on the lake
