The Selwyn district has quietly become one of New Zealand's most compelling corporate destinations — close enough to Christchurch to be practical, far enough from the office to mean something.
Luca first encountered the Selwyn offering at MEETINGS — New Zealand’s national business events tradeshow. It was there he met the Council’s Strategic Events and Sponsorship Manager, Jessie Kingsbury for one of the event’s characteristically brisk 15-minute supplier meetings.
"Jessie and the Selwyn team listened to what was important and pointed us directly to the right suppliers," he says. "We didn't have to sift through brochures or spend hours reaching out to various different suppliers just to determine what would work. In Selwyn, we knew immediately that it was all right there."
From that chance tradeshow meeting, Luca walked away knowing not just where the group would stay, but how the whole experience would hang together.
That clarity was enough to put Selwyn firmly on the shortlist.
With staff flying in from Auckland and the Christchurch team already local, Terrace Downs Resort — nestled in the foothills near Methven — ticked a practical box that more far-flung destinations didn't.
"Christchurch is a real hub for the South Island, so it's much easier to get people in and out than it would be for, say, Queenstown or Invercargill or Dunedin," Luca says. "The Auckland team could be on a morning flight and out at the venue by late morning — and of course it was convenient for the Christchurch staff too. You're not burning half a day just getting there, which matters when you've got a full programme to get through."
Equally, the Selwyn suppliers distinguished themselves during the planning process — responsive, flexible, and willing to meet the team where they were at rather than the other way around — a quality sometimes missing in larger tourism hubs.
"Early it was apparent that suppliers in the region were all very responsive and very accommodating to what we were trying to achieve. We never had to push for anything.”
Central to everything was Fable Terrace Downs Resort itself. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Southern Alps, staff could enjoy world-class golf, high-country lodge accommodation, and conference facilities without compromise.
The Auckland contingent flew into Christchurch and were transferred directly to the resort, where a full day of conferencing ran through to the late afternoon. The venue delivered on every front, including two bedroom villas for all 25 attendees, high-quality catering, and reliable AV.
The team at the resort operated with quiet, seemingly instinctive professionalism — transitioning spaces, moving furniture and keeping the whole team happy and satisfied for the duration of the event.
"Anything that we asked for, they were across and they did it with a smile," Luca says. "You can be in the most beautiful location, but if the service is poor, you’re not going to come back, but they nailed the service delivery."
After the formal conferencing concluded, the property team tackled a "mini Olympics" featuring archery, clay bird shooting, and golf chipping. It provided a necessary release after a day of intense focus, before the group returned to the lodge for drinks and canapés by the fire.
The second day had some choosing to enjoy the 18 hole golf course on-site whilst other went for walks or even a run through the high-country landscape, with the Southern Alps providing a stunning, snow-capped backdrop that reinforced the sense of escape.
For a team split across two major cities, the time spent together in the Selwyn high country broke down the silos that office life inevitably creates. It wasn't just about the meetings; it was about the informal conversations held over a meal or during an activity.
"When you're across two offices, it's easy to feel disconnected from the wider team,” Luca says. "This event gave people the chance to have real conversations, away from the pressure of the day-to-day. It was perfect.”
The event was an unqualified success, and the proof is in the next booking: Luca has already confirmed a return visit for Anthony Harper's Corporate and Commercial team at Terrace Downs in September 2026.
