Skip to content

Our People
Our Board
Our Partners

Our History

Member Directory
Find the local products or services you need from our Member Community

Member-to-Member OffersNEW
Check-out our exclusive offers for your business.

Our News
News, press releases and updates from Business Canterbury.

Bold Company
For what’s happening in the Canterbury business community.

HR Insights
Updates on HR and ER from our resident experts.

Manufacturing & Global Trade Bulletin Industry info for our Canterbury Manufacturers, Importers and Exporters.

RGB_Bold Company_Verticle_WhiteText

podcast.E2.700x450

Listen to some amazng business owners as they share their learnings, challenges and more on The Bold Company podcast, from Business Canterbury.

Business Advocacy
Championing our members’ views on policies and decisions at local and national levels so your voice can be heard.

Business Growth
Providing our members with experts who have the right knowledge, resources and contacts to help your business grow.


Contact us today to see how we can help.

Human Resources
Practical HR/ER support, expert advice, and customised training for your workplace.

Manufacturing
Driving innovation and success for manufacturers across Canterbury.

Global Trade
Supporting members to navigate and thrive in the international marketplace.

Export Documentation Services
Comprehensive Export Documentation Support

PREPARE FOR THE EVOLUTION (Presentation (169)) (5)

Learn how membership with Business Canterbury can help you take your business in the direction you want it to go. 

Standard Memberships

Connect Membership
Build your network and access a range of exclusive member benefits

Thrive Membership
Take your business further with enhanced support and expert guidance.

Invest Membership
Shaping the business landscape through premier support and business advocacy.

Lite Subscription
A taste of what we can offer you.

More Options

Manufacturing Membership
Backing Canterbury Manufacturers

Global Trade Membership
Developed for Importers and Exporters

HR Advice Membership
Expert HR Support When You Need It

HR Premium Membership
Expert Support at the Highest Level

WHAT IS CANTERBURY TRUSTED?

Canterbury Trusted recognises business excellence across our region, as awarded by Business Canterbury.

Why choose a Canterbury Trusted brand

LEARN MORE

About Canterbury Trusted
Differentiate yourself from your competitors.

Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Us

BlogHero.1024x51.QCBS.Aug23

ABOUT ADVOCACY

Our advocacy work programme ensures our members’ views are represented on policies and decisions at a local and national level.

LEARN MORE 

Grow knowledge, build capability and make connections through our events and learning opportunities.

No one does networking like Business Canterbury. Check out our events designed to engage, inform and help you expand your network.

Visit our Eventbrite page to

NBC.SDickson.Bg.600x300.v2

DON'T MISS

A fresh perspective on building high-performing teams HOT

21 May: Maximising performance, productivity and commercial outcomes begins with getting the most out of your team...

The Business Canterbury Team13 May 20252 min read

Event Follow Up - Economic Empowerment of Women with Hon. Nicola Grigg | 9 May 2025

Closing the Gender Pay Gap: Practical Actions for Real Change

At a recent event hosted by Business Canterbury, the Minister for Women, Hon Nicola Grigg alongside a panel of industry leaders, highlighted the pressing need to close the gender pay gap and offered actionable steps for employers. The event brought together public and private sector voices to explore how we can drive measurable progress for women in the workforce. Her message was clear: achieving pay equity isn’t just a women’s issue - it’s a collective challenge. Everyone has a role to play, and real change will require commitment across business, government, and society.

Why It Matters

Despite improvements over the years, New Zealand’s gender pay gap has stalled, hovering around 8.2% nationally and 8.3% in Canterbury. In some sectors, such as professional services and finance, it’s much higher—up to 29%. For Māori and Pasifika women, pay gaps open earlier and cut deeper, with long-term impacts on savings and retirement outcomes.

Economic recovery has also affected women disproportionately, with 209,000 women currently under utilised in the workforce—33,000 more than men.

Key Metrics.NGrigg.5May2025

A New Tool for Business

To support action, the government has launched Aotearoa New Zealand’s first-ever gender pay gap calculator. Free and simple to use, it allows organisations to measure their pay gap and access tailored resources to help close it. It was developed by business, for business-tested by companies like Westpac, Meridian, and the Law Society.

As the Minister noted, “You can’t manage what you don’t measure.” The calculator helps employers start the conversation and move toward real, measurable change.

What Businesses Are Doing

The panel shared practical steps they’ve taken:

  • Measure and be transparent – Organisations like CityCare Property and Architectus regularly audit and publish their gender pay gaps.

  • Review recruitment and pay systems – From using gender-neutral job ads to setting up clear salary bands and comparing like-for-like roles.

  • Build the leadership pipeline – Several companies have launched women’s forums, leadership programmes, and internal mentoring networks.

  • Address barriers – Initiatives included "wahine packs" (pads, tampons, chocolate) in vehicles, support for the “three Ms” (menstruation, miscarriage, and menopause), and partnerships with youth programmes like GirlBoss.

Male allies were highlighted as key drivers of change - some of the most vocal champions for women’s health and leadership were senior men.

Where to From Here?

The core message was simple: just start. Whether your organisation is large or small, measuring your pay gap is a powerful first step. Use the new calculator, talk about your results, and take action—however small. As one panellist said, “Nobody sets out to have a pay gap. But once you measure it, 98% of organisations find one. And that’s where the change begins.”

The gender pay gap is a complicated issue and so check out these  additional resources that can help empower women below -

 


Here are few images from the event....

NGriggMay25.600x300.18
NGriggMay25.600x300.17
NGriggMay25.600x300.15
NGriggMay25.600x300.13
NGriggMay25.600x300.16
NGriggMay25.600x300.14
NGriggMay25.600x300.12
NGriggMay25.600x300.11
NGriggMay25.600x300.10
NGriggMay25.600x300.9
NGriggMay25.600x300.8
NGriggMay25.600x300.8
NGriggMay25.600x300.7
NGriggEvent.BlogHero.2000x1000
 

 


Looking for more events like this? 

Check-out our latest training and events

avatar
The Business Canterbury Team
Empowering businesses with insights, strategies, and resources to drive growth and success in our region.