Christchurch has made significant progress in recovering from the earthquakes that devastated the city, with major reconstruction completed and new developments reshaping its skyline. However, according to Chris Hipkins, the city’s focus must now shift toward securing long-term infrastructure investment to support future growth and enhance the wider South Island economy.

Hipkins emphasized that while Christchurch has rebuilt its physical foundations, the next phase involves strengthening infrastructure to ensure the city remains a liveable and economically vibrant place. He highlighted the city’s growing sectors—including technology, science, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and innovation—as key areas that require sustained support. The goal, he said, is to maintain and build upon Christchurch’s distinctiveness by prioritizing liveability and community wellbeing amid economic development.

Crucially, Hipkins called for a government that delivers on realistic, well-planned commitments rather than making ambitious promises without follow-through. He positioned a prospective Labour government as ready to invest in the South Island through disciplined, strategic funding aimed at unlocking growth and improving daily life for residents. Such investments, he stated, would be guided by consultation with local councils, iwi, businesses, researchers, and communities, rather than being dictated solely by central government in Wellington.

Hipkins also noted the importance of collaboration between local and central government, pointing to past Labour-led initiatives as examples. He cited efforts during the previous Labour administration to advance Christchurch’s school rebuild through hundreds of millions of dollars in government funding. Additionally, the Christchurch Acceleration Fund helped establish the Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre, illustrating how targeted government investment could stimulate private-sector innovation and economic opportunity.

Looking ahead, Hipkins identified the South Island’s strengths in agriculture, tourism, renewable energy, manufacturing, science, and technology, with Christchurch serving as an economic hub linking these industries. He advocated for improved connections between cities and regions to expand markets, boost tourism, and enhance productivity.

Acknowledging challenges such as high infrastructure costs, expensive construction, and pressures on local councils, Hipkins argued that these realities underscore the need for better investment decisions rather than retreating from funding commitments. He stressed that true success for Christchurch extends beyond new buildings and roads, focusing instead on creating a city where residents want to live and thrive.