Buying Industrial and Commercial Property in Christchurch

Last reviewed 29 October 2026.

How big is the Christchurch economy?

Christchurch City Council says the city’s population estimate was 419,200 at June 2025, and that in February 2025 around 48,200 businesses employed 238,000 people. Manufacturing (22,100 employees) is the city’s third-largest industry by employment and construction (20,800 employees) the fifth. The city’s GDP was $36.6 billion in the year to March 2025.

Source: Christchurch City Council, Facts, stats and figures.

What are the industrial zones?

Christchurch City Council’s District Plan has three industrial zones, each with a different function.

• Industrial General Zone: industrial and compatible activities that “can operate in close proximity to more sensitive zones”, acting as “a buffer between residential areas and the Industrial Heavy Zone”.
• Industrial Heavy Zone: activities that “generate potentially significant effects”, including “relatively high levels of noise, odour, heavy traffic movements” and significant amounts of hazardous substances, so they need separation from more sensitive activities.
• Industrial Park Zone: high technology and other industries “in a high amenity environment dominated by open space and landscaping”.

Source: Christchurch City Council, District Plan Chapter 16 Industrial, Policy 16.2.1.3. This is the Council’s 26 July 2018 printout, and the plan has changed since, so check the current plan for any site.

How do I find out which zone a site is in?

A suburb can contain more than one zone, so check the site itself. The Council’s District Plan lets you search a property to “find out which zone or features relate to a property”. We can also check a site for you before you make an offer.

Is the property in a high flood hazard area?

Christchurch City Council says high flood hazard management areas are “at risk in a very large flood (a 1-in-500-year flood event) due to the depth and/or speed of flood waters”. It says most new buildings and subdivision there are non-complying activities, so a resource consent is likely to be declined. The Council recommends requesting a LIM before buying.

Source: Christchurch City Council, Flood management.

What does an earthquake-prone building notice mean?

The Council says the notice warns the building “may suffer damage in a moderate earthquake”. Owners have 7.5 years (priority buildings) or 15 years (other buildings) from the first notice to strengthen or demolish.

Source: Christchurch City Council, Earthquake-prone buildings.

What else should I read?

See our commercial buying checklist, leasing costs and terms and find business premises.