A weekend in the Garden City
Set once a year, The Industry Awards is a collaborative event between Kitomba Salon & Spa Software, HITO, and Hair & Barber New Zealand, and recognises the best in business, training, and creative talent across the hair, beauty and barbering industries.
This year, The Industry Awards will take place in Christchurch at the Ta Pae Convention Centre, on Sunday 6th November. As we know that many businesses take this opportunity to treat their staff to an end-of-year celebration, we spoke with the Hair & Barber New Zealand team to get the inside scoop on what to do while you're there.
Read on for their top tips to make sure it's a weekend to remember.
Eating + Drinking = Happiness
It wouldn’t be a weekend away without checking out the best restaurants and bars Christchurch has to offer! If you’re looking to have a casual drink, the Pink Lady rooftop bar is a must. Start with a cocktail, check out the 360 views across the city, then head down a floor to dine at their new restaurant Seven... delicious!
Or wander down picturesque The Terrace and upstairs to King of Snake at their new location in the city. Serving modern Asian cuisine, they’re open for both lunch and dinner and also have a great bar, Monarch that looks out over the Avon River.
For a more casual environment with an unbeatable selection, you can't go past Riverside Market. At the same location as the famous Re:Start Container Mall, a symbol of post-quake Christchurch, the Riverside Market is a week long farmers market selling local produce, baked goods, and more! It's an incredible place to relax with your team outside of the salon, spa or barbershop, and experience different cuisines and dining styles. A must-see for any visitor to the city!
Ōtautahi: The Revitalised City
It's been 12 years since the devastation of the earthquakes, and the city has certainly come back to life, with an array of activities and adventures to be found in and around the centre.
Things to do
- As one of the five "gateways to Antarctica", you can't visit Christchurch without visiting the International Antarctic Centre.
- Relax with your team at New Zealand's original "paint and sip" sessions held at the iconic Arts Centre.
- Spend some time at the Canterbury Museum - hosting a real Egyptian Mummy, a life-like street representative of Christchurch in the 19th century, and a scarily realistic and interactive dinosaur display.
Places to see
- In true English style, try Punting on the Avon River! An eco-friendly way to see the sights from a different perspective.
- For something more adventurous, take a guided bike tour along the river out towards the sea.
- Ride the gondola out in the Port Hills to the summit and walk along the nature trails.
- Wander around Cathedral Square and check out the progress of the Christchurch Cathedral rebuild!
- Known as the Garden City of New Zealand, no visit should be complete without a wander around the Botanic Gardens.
Expand your Horizons
You don't need to go far to experience the city to its finest, but if you do have the time while you are in Canterbury a quick trip over the hills to the Banks Peninsula to see the French settlement of Akaroa is a must.
Take the scenic route and visit Lyttleton on the way, a picturesque port town filled with boutique shops and cafes.
Be sure to stop in at Little River to check out the art gallery and cafe, and pop into Barry’s Bay for a cheeky cheese tasting once you’re over the hill.
Once in Akaroa, you can head out on the Black Cat and see the wildlife in the harbour on a 2-hour cruise, enjoy a meal at one of the local eateries or take some time out to do some gin tasting at the local Akaroa Craft Distillery - supporting the endangered and rarely seen Hector’s Dolphins.
Better still stay the night and do them all…!
The Industry Awards 2022
Join us for an evening of glitz and glamour as we get together to celebrate the best business, training and creative talent in the industry!