Chelsea DanielsThe Front Page podcast host·NZ Herald·31 Jul, 2026 05:00 AM3 mins to read‌Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson is with us to explain why the South Island wants to move ahead of the national average, not just keep up, and what it will take to get there.It’s a battle of the islands to become New Zealand’s economic engine room.All eight South Island Chambers of Commerce have launched a joint election manifesto, Growing New Zealand from the South: A Policy Platform for Election 2026, highlighting their $100 billion contribution to the economy.

They’re calling for more