Is Christchurch ahead of the game, or sadly lagging?

Mark the date in your diary, and don't miss this lunch time session with Raf Manji, Leader of The Opportunities Party and former Christchurch City Councillor. Hear about what Raf thinks is important to Christchurch going into the election later this year. Where are we in the pecking order? Do we matter to Welllington? This is an active Q&A session, a chance to meet Raf, network with other professionals, and discuss topics that are likely to have an impact on all of us, our city and our region.

A sumptuous lunch will be served, followed by tea/coffee.

Date: Wednesday 31 May 2023

Time: 12.15 - 2:00 pm

Venue: Eliza's Hotel, 82 Bealey Avenue, Christchurch

Tickets: $63.25 inc GST (Please select from menu at time of booking)

More about Raf:

Raf took up Leadership of The Opportunities Party in early 2022. Prior to that, he served two terms as a Christchurch City Councillor. As Chair of the Finance Committee, his main focus was the Council's financial position and insurance settlement, as well as its post-earthquake strategic direction, risk management and engagement with Central Government. He acted as an Independent Advisor to the Christchurch Foundation on the distribution of donated funds and support to the victims of the 15th March Terror Attack. He sat on the board of Christchurch City Holdings Ltd and was a member of Local Government working groups on Funding, Risk and Localism and the Central Government Working Group on Trade for All.

Raf spent 11 years trading global markets and providing macro-economic advice in London before working for an environmental start-up, Trucost, focused on measuring and accounting for the environmental costs of business.

Since moving to New Zealand in 2002, Raf has been actively involved in governance, strategy and social enterprise. He has worked with the AsiaNZ Foundation, the Christchurch Foundation, the Volunteer Army Foundation, Refugee Resettlement Services, Christchurch Budget Services, Pillars and the Christchurch Arts Festival as both a volunteer and board member. In 2023, he proposed the introduction of the Teal Card, an app designed to invest in and promote sustainable and healthy outcomes for our younger generations. He has a degree in Economics and Social Studies from the University of Manchester and a Graduate Diploma in Political Science and a Masters in International Law and Politics from the University of Canterbury.