Microsoft will open a Christchurch office later this year and plans to search for local staff for some of the positions at the office. In a statement annoucing the plan to establish the South Island presence, Microsoft New Zealand managing director Helen Robinson is quoted as saying "We expect that some of the staff will come from our existing offices, and we will also hire directly from the Christchurch market, allowing locals to have new opportunities in the IT industry that previously were only available in the North Island".
The move has been endorsed by Christchurch IT stalwart Jade Software, whose managing director, Rod Carr, says in the statement "Opening an office in the South Island enables Microsoft the opportunity to build stronger associations with its South Island customers, and to illustrate its commitment to establishing stronger ties with the local IT industry.”