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Jetsetting with Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism’s Tim Hunter

SINGAPORE — After the devastating earthquake of 2011, Christchurch is picking itself up and experiencing a revival like no other. “The city was previously known for its conservatism, but now people have taken the opportunity to get going and do things differently,” said Tim Hunter, Chief Executive of Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism, citing projects such as Re:Start, a funky outdoor mall made of containers, The Terrace along Avon River and the rebuilding of Christchurch Arts Centre.

SINGAPORE — After the devastating earthquake of 2011, Christchurch is picking itself up and experiencing a revival like no other. “The city was previously known for its conservatism, but now people have taken the opportunity to get going and do things differently,” said Tim Hunter, Chief Executive of Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism, citing projects such as Re:Start, a funky outdoor mall made of containers, The Terrace along Avon River and the rebuilding of Christchurch Arts Centre.

Hunter is so attached to his ’hood that he hardly takes a holiday outside of the Canterbury region. Then again, with Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo at his doorstep, why would he?

Q: Christchurch has been named among the top destinations to visit in 2014. Why do you think there’s this interest in the city?

A: There’s a huge curiosity pull. I think people do want to see how we’re rebuilding the city and we’re doing some really creative things here. The city is taking visitors on a journey, on a story of a community coming together in the aftermath of the quake.

Q: What are some of these creative attractions?

A: There’s a cafe owner named Sam Crofskey of C1-Espresso who installed a pneumatic tube system to send burgers to the table. There’s also Alice, an arthouse cinema with 38 seats — you enter through a video store and it screens great movies from all over the world. Cargo Bar is a bar created out of shipping containers and they serve cocktails in jam jars; across the road is The Pedal Pusher, a bistro with great food and a collection of bicycles displayed.

Q: Given there’s still a lack of hotels, where should visitors stay in Christchurch?

A: The Classic Villa is built in an old Italian style that’s very pretty. You can also try lodges which are quite interesting and provide a different experience. Some of them, like the Orari, are like a fusion between a hotel and a bed and breakfast. We have a five-star boutique hotel coming up called Hotel Montreal, which will be opening in the middle of the year, too.

Q: Favourite places to visit outside of Christchurch?

A: I love Akaroa with its deep blue waters — it’s a pretty inspiring sight. The Mackenzie Basin down in Mount Cook is so peaceful and the entire area is so underdeveloped. It’s great for fishing for trout and salmon. It’s nice to cycle there as there’s very little traffic — you might only see like four cars along the way. The Craigieburn range is wonderful for skiing. I did a lot of mountaineering there. Serene Lim

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