Located on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island, bordering Christchurch city, North Canterbury is a region that offers the ultimate work/lifestyle balance. With exciting jobs across all industries, excellent housing, schools, healthcare providers and infrastructure as well as all the recreation opportunities you could ask for, North Canterbury is the perfect place to move up in your career and life.

The North Canterbury region is home to 82,850 people (Statistics NZ 2023 population projection). The large majority of these people live in the Waimakariri District (69,100 residents), with the remainder residing in the Hurunui District (13,750 residents).

The median age of North Canterbury residents is 42.9 years. The median age of New Zealand as a whole is 38 years.

The majority of North Canterbury residents identify themselves as European. Māori is the second largest ethnic group in the region, with just over 7% of the population identifying as Māori.

North Canterbury is home to Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri Runanga. The Runanga centres around the settlement of Tuahiwi and extends from the Hurunui to the Hakatere river and inland to the Main Divide. Nearby the famous Kaiapoi Pā was established by the first Ngāi Tahu ancestors when they settled Te Wai Pounamu. Kaiapoi Pā was the major capital, trading centre and point from which further penetration of the South Island occurred so the area is a genealogical centre for all Ngāi Tahu whānui (descendants).

Other ethnic groups identified in the North Canterbury region are Asian, Pacific peoples, Middle Eastern, Latin American and African; each represent less than 2% of the region’s population.

English is the most common spoken language in the region, followed by te reo Māori. New Zealand Sign Language is used by less than one percent of the North Canterbury population. This correlates with the nationwide percentage of NZSL users.

North Cantabrians are an adventurous lot. We ski, we surf, we bike, hike and run. We swim, we boat, we fish and hunt. We shop, we day spa and enjoy world class local wine and food. We soak up all that life has to offer here in our corner of Aotearoa. Whatever you’re into, North Canterbury has a location, club, team or opportunity for you to indulge your favourite pastimes. Whether you’re after expansive sandy beaches and extensive river networks, or stunning foothills trails and conservation areas, we’ve got you covered. Perhaps team sports, gyms and fitness challenges are more your thing? Plenty of that round here too! If you’re all about winter, you’re in luck: some of New Zealand’s top ski fields are within an hour’s drive, and we’ve also got the world renowned Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa to keep you toasty warm. Or maybe your weekends are spent getting out and exploring shops, markets, events and eateries? You’ve come to the right place: North Canterbury is all about boutique shopping, farmers markets, family-friendly events, world-class wineries and unforgettable local food. Ratchet your downtime up a notch with a move to North Canterbury.

With Christchurch on our doorstep, North Canterbury is perfectly positioned for those who need easy access to the city. Whether it’s a daily commute or an occasional jaunt, the new Northern Corridor motorway provides quick, easy and direct access to and from New Zealand’s second largest city.

Christchurch’s bus network incorporates a regular route out to Kaiapoi and Rangiora and back, while Park and Ride is another popular and affordable option for commuters travelling from Rangiora to central Christchurch. Independent travellers can be in the CBD, Christchurch Hospital or Christchurch International Airport in well under an hour.