Business Canterbury

19/10/2026

“Put your fans in the best seat in the house.”

It’s the principle behind everything Glenn Harris from the One NZ Warriors does.

For the past seven years, Glenn has been part of a team driven by a simple belief: sport has the power to bring people together like nothing else. He’s helped shape a brand proposition that connects, inspires and entertains, creating a sense of pride and belonging that goes far beyond what happens on the field.

This November, Glenn shares why the strongest brands are built from the inside out: by connecting talented people, putting customers at the heart of the action and creating experiences that make them feel valued.

Don't miss out, tickets are selling fast.

📅 Tuesday 24 November | 3pm to 5pm
🎟️ Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/we-are-the-warriors-100-built-from-the-inside-out-tickets-200309996190

07/10/2026

Why is Canterbury doing better than most of the country? 🤔

Leeann Watson, Chief Executive of Business Canterbury, sits down with Andy from Red Nine Studios to unpack it, and to explain what Business Canterbury has been doing for local businesses since 1859, from HR advice and training to Canterbury Trusted and lobbying Wellington on the issues that hurt small businesses.

🎧 Watch the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtdIUHuNuyk

Business Canterbury has backed local businesses since 1859, and Chi...

07/10/2026

More from an evening to remember 📸

Strong stories. Great company. Here's another look at our Women in Business Forum and the Canterbury women who made the evening what it was.

Another huge thank you to Mary Devine, ONZM, Alice Fitzgerald, and Hon Nicola Grigg MP for sharing their stories and to everyone who joined us. It really was an evening fill of connection, ideas and inspiring women!

Thank you also to our partners Cambridge Partners, Baker Tilly Staples Rodway, and Streamliner Productions for helping make it happen💙

06/10/2026

AI-powered attacks are getting smarter, faster and harder to spot. And cyber criminals aren't just targeting computers. They're targeting people.

That's why Business Canterbury is taking part in Cyber Smart Week (5 to 11 October). We're building cyber-smart habits across our team, because our people are our strongest line of defence.

Is your team ready? Register for Cyber Smart Week here: https://www.ownyouronline.govt.nz/

Own Your Online

02/10/2026

Your leadership dilemmas solved!

What to delegate. When to step in. How to finally have the conversation you've been avoiding. Most leaders figure these out the hard way, usually at their team's expense.

This October, Business Canterbury has two leadership-focused workshops built to close that gap.

🔷 Essential Supervision and Team Leader Skills | 15 to 16 October | Register here: https://training.cecc.org.nz/w/events/2-essential-supervision-and-team-leader-skills
🔷 Essential Leadership Skills | 28 to 29 October | Register here: https://training.cecc.org.nz/w/events/1-essential-leadership-skills

Both led by Victoria Barkway, the kind of facilitator who tells you what you need to hear, not what's comfortable.

Ready to solve your leadership dilemmas?

30/09/2026

Coffee catch-ups. After-work drinks. However you like to connect, we've got you covered! Check out what networking events we have coming up 🤝

Connect Before 8: Like-Minded Learning Limited
Thursday, 5 November | 7:30am - 9am
Start your day with genuine conversation and connection, no agenda, just good company.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/business-canterbury-nov-connect-before-8-like-minded-learning-tickets-1984590128498

Based outside the city? We've got you covered.

📍 Ashburton After 5 with Hon James Meager: ANZCO Foods
Wednesday, 7 October | 5:30pm - 7pm | Smoke Ashburton
Hear directly from Hon James Meager, Minister for the South Island, and connect with the Mid-Canterbury business community.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/ashburton-after-5-with-the-hon-james-meager-tickets-1999640848607

📍 Selwyn After 5: Selwyn District Council
Thursday, 22 October | 5:30pm - 7pm | Two Thumb Brewing, Rolleston
Check out Selwyn's newest brewery while connecting with the local business community.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/selwyn-after-5-tickets-1998164686366

Whichever area you're in, there's a Connect event for you.

29/09/2026

Breaking up businesses makes headlines. Building genuine competition delivers results.

In her latest opinion piece, Business Canterbury Chief Executive Leeann Watson responds to this week's campaign promises from Labour and National to pursue structural separation in the supermarket sector. Her view: the real barriers to competition are our infrastructure and supply chains, not the ownership structure of lawful private businesses.

📖 Read the full piece: https://www.businesscanterbury.co.nz/latest-news-from-business-canterbury/breaking-up-businesses-makes-headlines-but-building-competition-delivers-results

Breaking up businesses makes headlines, but does it deliver results? Leeann Watson makes the case for a better approach.

24/09/2026

Some special moments captured from a special night at our Women in Business Forum⭐

From career insights and honest reflections on personal struggles, to laughter shared between one another, our three panellists brought it all. We think everyone in the room would agree, it was an inspiring and unforgettable evening.

A huge thank you to Mary Devine, ONZM, Hon Nicola Grigg MP, and Alice Fitzgerald for being part of our panel, to Cambridge Partners, Baker Tilly Staples Rodway, and Streamliner Productions for supporting the event. As well as a thank you to the nearly 300 attendees who joined us on the night, we hope you left feeling just as inspired as we did.

24/09/2026

We're all set and ready to go! ⭐

Today's the day for our Women in Business Forum, and we can't wait to welcome you all! We're looking forward to hearing from our three incredible panellists, and to some honest, inspiring conversation between women at every stage of their career.

Cambridge Partners Baker Tilly Staples Rodway