ChristchurchNZ has won a national award for digital tools designed to identify skills shortages, investment barriers and growth opportunities in the aerospace and health technology sectors.

The city’s economic development agency received the Innovative Use of Technology Award at the 2026 Economic Development New Zealand Awards in Cromwell on Thursday.

Its Digital Infrastructure initiative uses artificial intelligence and market intelligence platforms to map businesses, research expertise, investors and support networks.

Developed with Datascouts, Aerospace New Zealand and Canterbury Health Innovation, the publicly accessible platforms cover New Zealand’s aerospace industry and Canterbury’s health innovation sector.

ChristchurchNZ general manager of innovation and business growth Martin Cudd said the tools were changing how the organisation supported those industries.

“Good economic development relies on good information. These tools are helping us move beyond static reports and fragmented datasets to create a more dynamic understanding of our sector ecosystems.”

“The result is better insights, stronger connections between organisations and more informed decisions about where we focus our effort and investment,” Cudd said.

According to ChristchurchNZ, its Aerospace Navigator platform has provided insights into workforce shortages, barriers to investment and opportunities for growth. It has also helped measure the industry’s contribution to the Canterbury and national economies.

The Canterbury Health Innovation Ecosystem platform is being used to strengthen connections across the region’s health technology sector.

Judges recognised progress since the initiative was first entered, including new evidence of results in aerospace. The model is now being extended to other regions and international partners.

ChristchurchNZ acting chief executive Laura Dawson said the award reflected contributions from businesses, researchers, investors, iwi, industry bodies and public sector partners.

“Our digital infrastructure programme is built on the belief that complex challenges require collaborative solutions. When we bring the right people together around a shared ambition, we can create meaningful economic impact for Ōtautahi Christchurch,” Dawson said.