
ABOUT US
- ▪️ Who we are
- ▪️ Advocacy
- ▪️ Business Support
- ▪️ Connection
- ▪️ Our People
- ▪️ Our History
- ▪️ 2024/2025 AGM
We are the home and voice of Canterbury Business
Business Canterbury (formerly The Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce) is the home and voice of Canterbury business.
We are a member-based organisation with the purpose of enabling and supporting a thriving business community across Canterbury.
Our mission is to be the best business partner for our over 2,500 member businesses and not-for-profit organisations. We do that through advocacy, business support services, and connection.
We advocate for a business-friendly Canterbury
As a founding member of BusinessNZ, we are part of the largest business advocacy network in New Zealand, working with our sister organisations across Otago, Wellington and Auckland to push for action that removes the red tape, reduces compliance and unnecessary burdens and provides an environment for businesses to grow and innovate.
We're here to help
We offer our members easy-to-access business services, including business growth and strategy support and mentoring, and HR and employment law advice and support.
We help our members build capability within their teams and increase their business intelligence through training programmes, workshops and events that inform and educate our members on timeless business essentials, respond to current business needs and prepare our member for emerging issues and trends.
No one does networking like Business Canterbury
We connect our members to each other and solutions. Our networking opportunities help our members build their professional networks and increase their business profile.
To keep connected and informed about what's going on in the business world check-out ALL our upcoming events on our Eventbrite Page.
We're proud of our team
Our people have been carefully selected to represent and support the needs across our diverse business community, each bringing their extensive knowledge to help Canterbury business thrive.
Learn more about our team here.
A Voice for Canterbury Businesses
We started in 1859, and we've come along way since then. To learn more about how we became the iconic Business Canterbury, check out a snapshot of our history.
Annual General Meeting
Our Annual General Meeting's are held in October. To learn more about the process visit our AGM page.
Our Annual General Meeting 2025 is proudly supported by:
We are the home and voice of Canterbury Business
Business Canterbury (formerly The Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce) is the home and voice of Canterbury business.
We are a member-based organisation with the purpose of enabling and supporting a thriving business community across Canterbury.
Our mission is to be the best business partner for our over 2700 member businesses and not-for-profit organisations. We do that through advocacy, business support services, and connection.
ADVOCACY
We advocate for a business-friendly Canterbury.
As a founding member of BusinessNZ, we are part of the largest business advocacy network in New Zealand, working with our sister organisations across Otago, Wellington and Auckland to push for action that removes the red tape, reduces compliance and unnecessary burdens and provides an environment for businesses to grow and innovate.
BUSINESS SUPPORT
We offer our members easy-to-access business services, including business growth and strategy support and mentoring, and HR and employment law advice and support.
We help our members build capability within their teams and increase their business intelligence through training programmes, workshops and events that inform and educate our members on timeless business essentials, respond to current business needs and prepare our member for emerging issues and trends.
CONNECTION
We connect our members to each other and solutions. Our networking opportunities help our members build their professional networks and increase their business profile.
As a founding shareholder of Business New Zealand and a member of the New Zealand Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Business Canterbury is part of a powerful nationwide network that speaks up for the needs of business across the country.
These relationships give us the ability to engage with government officials, community groups, MPs and Ministers on a daily basis, ensuring business interests are represented throughout the policy making process.
Together, we have a stronger and more influential voice and are in a strong position to get things done for business.
We are guided by our mission to be the best business partner to our Members and support them on their journey, whatever that may be. Our Executive leadership team is governed by our Board of Directors and you can read on to learn more about how that works.
Past Year Highlights
A high-level view of our past year and a snapshot of financials.

Business Canterbury is guided by our Constitution and governed by our Board of Directors who support the Chief Executive in setting policy and the strategic direction of our organisation. The Board consists of nine directors who are elected by our members at our Annual General Meeting, held in October.
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
The AGM is where members hear about our work over the past year, review key documents, and confirm Board appointments. For more details on this year’s meeting, historical documents, and key dates, please visit our AGM page
Our Annual General Meeting 2025 is proudly supported by:
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Our purpose is to enable and support a thriving business community across Canterbury.
Our Governance
Business Canterbury is guided by our Constitution and governed by our Board of Directors who support the Chief Executive in setting policy and the strategic direction of our organisation. The Board consists of nine directors who are elected by our members at our Annual General Meeting, held in October.
2023 AGM Agenda & Minutes
The 2023 Annual General Meeting was held Thursday 12 October 2023. View the agenda from the meeting.
View our audited financial statementsand signed minutes
from the 2022 Annual General Meeting.
Sustainability
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Where we operate
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Learn More About What We do...
PAST YEAR HIGHLIGHTS
Our annual report provides a high-level view of our activity over the past year and a snapshot of the Business Canterbury financials.
Sustainability
In 1987, the United Nations Brundtland Commission defined sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”. Here at Business Canterbury, we acknowledge our responsibility to support a positive future for all and as such we are proud to have attained our Toitū net carbon zero status in 2023.
Attaining this accreditation forms part of our ongoing commitment to improve sustainability and reduce our carbon footprint as wek as supporting our members as they embark on their own sustainability journeys. You can read more about our journey here or learn more about the ways which we can support you.
Toitū net carbonzero certified organisationLearn More About How We Enable Businesses To Innovate & Grow

We work to remove government barriers at the national and local levels to enable an environment where business can innovate and grow.
Read More
