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Welcome to Ōtautahi (Christchurch), the Canterbury region and the South Island!

Latimer Square Copyright: Christchurch City Council
Latimer Square. Photo: Christchurch City Council

Come join us in the ‘Garden City’ of Aotearoa New Zealand. Urban regeneration, creativity and innovation characterise Ōtautahi (Christchurch). Local arts, innovative community projects, state-of-the-art architecture drive the city’s evolution in the way it looks, feels and works. 

The average temperature in Christchurch at the time of the Forum should be about 10C (50F). Please check out the MetService for the latest and most accurate information about weather closer to your travel date.

The city of Christchurch is the gateway to the South Island of New Zealand, known for breathtaking landscapes, mountains, fiords and glaciers. Christchurch is located in the Canterbury region and offers a wide range of experiences and landscapes, from vast plains to lofty mountains, coastline to glacial lakes.

Visas

All participants are responsible for obtaining their own visas. The New Zealand Immigration site provides all information required. Note that the Forum cannot provide any advice on visas by law. Should you require an invitation letter to support your visa please contact the Forum Coordinators: oceaniaesforum@gmail.com

Biosecurity

In order to protect New Zealand and its environment, certain items are not allowed to be brought into the country, have restrictions for entry, or must be declared if they are deemed to present a biosecurity risk. You may risk a fine if you fail to comply. Please visit the Ministry of Primary Industries for details on items to declare or dispose.

Venue

The venue for the Oceania Ecosystem Services Forum is the Rydges Latimer Hotel. Located in the Christchurch CBD, the Rydges is only 4 years old. The hotel is rated 4.5-star hotel.  The hotel is five levels high and offers 138 rooms spread over the first four floors. The hotel accommodation in Christchurch overlooks scenic Latimer Square, an iconic New Zealand green space with ample room for travellers to roam and enjoy the shade of lush, broad-leaved trees.

The hotel is centrally located with easy access to the Transitional Cathedral (210m), the Avon River (400m), Isaac Theatre Royal (500m), the Cathedral Square (550m), the Christchurch Art Gallery (1.2km), the Canterbury Museum (1.5km) and the Botanical Garden (2km). A great location to explore all what the city has to offer.

There are also many other accommodation options around Christchurch from 5 star hotels to backpacker lodges. To find alternative accommodation outside the Forum venue, visit travel websites such as TripAdvisor, Trivago or AirBnB for the best available deals.

How to get there

FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE VENUE
Buses, airport shuttles and taxis are all lined up outside the terminal. Taxis and Airport Shuttles offer door-to-door service and the Purple Line bus comes through every 30 minutes. Visit the Airport taxi page for details.

Hop on a bus
Christchurch has an extensive network of bus routes. For timetable information for bus contact Metro on (03) 366 8855 or check up-to-date public transport information.

Hail a taxi
A dedicated taxi rank is located outside the airport and at most landmarks in Christchurch.

Book a shuttle
Book a shuttle in advance or at the Christchurch airport.

Things to do around Christchurch:

What to do around Christchurch?

There are tons of events around Christchurch, free or for a fee. Check out these pages for local knowledge:

 

 

Register now for the Oceania Ecosystem Services Forum