ChristchurchNZ Appoints Chief Executive

Monday 11 Spetember 2017

Joanna Norris has been appointed Chief Executive of ChristchurchNZ, the city’s new promotion and economic development agency.

ChristchurchNZ Chair Dr Therese Arseneau said Joanna had the energy and passion for Christchurch that the Board was seeking.

“It’s a great appointment for Christchurch,” she said. “The Board is very pleased about attracting someone of Joanna’s calibre to lead the organisation at this important time in the city’s regeneration.

“Joanna has exceptional leadership skills and the outlook and acumen needed to succeed in this role. She is passionate about Christchurch and excited about what the organisation can achieve for the city.”

Joanna Norris has been Editor of The Press for five years, and also South Island Editor-in-chief for Fairfax Media since 2014.

She said she was looking forward to leading an organisation that aims to enhance the prosperity and lives of Christchurch and Canterbury people.

“The building blocks of our region are being re-laid and we are growing a strong city that will serve future generations well. ChristchurchNZ’s role is to provide leadership by growing our city’s profile locally, nationally and internationally.

“We know we live in a stunning part of the world, but beautiful mountains and lovely beaches are not our full story. Our story is one of a progressive and diverse city in which we have fulfilling and innovative careers, cultural, demographic and ideological diversity, a strong economy, and rewarding lifestyles.

“The newly formed ChristchurchNZ team already has a strong programme of work underway and I am looking forward to getting stuck in working with this talented and committed group of people.”

Joanna Norris will take up her new role on 16th October.

Therese Arseneau said ChristchurchNZ had got off to a great start, under the leadership of former Canterbury Economic Development Corporation Chief Executive Tom Hooper.

“Tom has done a great job bringing the organisations together to form ChristchurchNZ and set it up to succeed. He has made a significant contribution to the organisation and to Christchurch through his leadership during the rebuild phase. While Tom has chosen to move on, the Board has appreciated his dedication in staying on until Joanna begins in the role.”

ChristchurchNZ works to optimise the economic and social opportunities that tourism, major events, city promotion, international education and economic development can bring to Christchurch and Canterbury.

It was established in July from the merger of Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism and the Convention Bureau, Canterbury Development Corporation, International Education, and the Christchurch City Council’s Major Events function.

ChristchurchNZ is fully owned by the Christchurch City Council, with an independent board.

-ENDS-

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