Located in the South Island, Christchurch is the second-largest city of New Zealand with a population of around 377,000. It’s known for the world’s purest water and temperate climate with mild summers and cool winters. Some of the city’s infrastructure was damaged during the 2010–2012 earthquake.
IT salaries
Here are examples of IT salaries in Christchurch according to Glassdoor (NZ$ per year):
- Software developer: 74,390 (58,000 – 97,000)
- Full-stack developer: 50,310
- DevOps engineer: 76,500
- Database administrator: 94,000
- System administrator: 46,590 (47,000 – 53,000)
- IT project manager: 99,000 (67,000 – 116,000)
- Security analyst: 44,030 (42,000 – 55,000)
Economy
Along with Auckland and Wellington, Christchurch is one of New Zealand’s most significant economic hubs.
The unemployment rate in Christchurch is 3.9% — lower compared to the national average of 4.1% (as of March 2020).
Important economic sectors in Christchurch include:
- Agribusiness
- Construction
- Food processing
- Hi-tech manufacturing
- ICT (information and communications technology)
- Tourism
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Mjobling (CC BY 3.0)
Christchurch is also New Zealand’s third-largest region for technology businesses. It’s home to many software, hardware and electronics firms.
The largest technology companies present in Christchurch include the following:
- Allied Telesis Labs
- Jade Software
- Seequent
- SLI Systems
- Sungard
- Tait Communications
- Trade Me
- Treshna
Christchurch is also home to Innovation Precinct — a space dedicated to large tech companies as well as smaller startups.
Cost of living
The average monthly costs in Christchurch are about NZ$1,320 for a single person or NZ$4,775 for a four-person family (excluding rent).
Here are examples of the average prices in Christchurch (NZ$):
- Meal at McDonald’s: 10–13
- Meal at another inexpensive restaurant: 15–30
- Average food basket (milk, bread, eggs, cheese, chicken, apples, potatoes, water, beer): 47
- Monthly fee at a fitness club: 30–120
- Monthly pass: 75–150
- Monthly rent (1 bedroom): 1,000 – 2,000
- Monthly rent (3 bedrooms): 1,800 – 3,200
- Property prices per square meter: 2,500 – 8,000
- Utilities: 100–250 per month
- Internet: 70–100 per month
Travel
Christchurch is located within 1 hour 20 minute flight from Auckland and 45 minutes flight from Wellington.
Christchurch International Airport is second only to Auckland in terms of international arrivals and departures. Popular destinations include Auckland, Brisbane, Dubai, Guangzhou, Melbourne, Singapore, Sydney, and others.
Moreover, Christchurch has an extensive bus network serving most areas of the city and satellite towns.
Entertainment
Christchurch is known for its many live acts and music venues. It has one full-time professional theater and a casino. The city is even more famous for its nature activities.
You can participate in all sorts of activities within just two hours of Christchurch. You can hike, mountain bike, ski, and snowboard in the Southern Alps that are snow-covered in winter. As the city is located on the banks of the Pegasus Bay and has several rivers, you can also fish, jet boat, raft, surf, swim as well as see dolphins, seals, and whales. Moreover, there are kilometers of beaches, plenty of gardens, parks, and vineyards.