When Daniel and Mary-Anne Merriott from the Digital Skills Agency decided to relocate their business, it wasn’t just about escaping Auckland – it was about choosing a place that aligned with their values, lifestyle, and hopes for the future. Their recent move from Auckland to Christchurch was a deliberate step toward being part of a vibrant, connected business community with easy access to the outdoors and a better rhythm of life.

Choosing Christchurch For The Right Reasons

“We’d spent time in Christchurch for team gatherings and client work, and every visit reinforced how much we enjoyed being here,” Daniel explains. “It wasn’t just the scenery or the ease of getting around – although those things are definitely positive factors! But even more it’s the sense of energy, the people, and the feeling of possibility.”

Despite having no prior roots in Canterbury, Daniel and Mary-Anne were drawn to the region’s mix of professional opportunity and lifestyle. “We’ve always been a distributed company, with team members spread across New Zealand and clients in various locations across New Zealand and Australia,” says Daniel. “But we’ve consistently had strong relationships in Canterbury, and the more time we spent here, the more it felt like the right place to grow.”

Building A Base In The Heart of the City

Before making the move, they tested the waters with a short stay to explore the community, scope out office space, and get a feel for daily life. “It quickly became clear that this wasn’t just a good option – it was the best one,” Mary-Anne adds.

Now with offices in central Christchurch, they’re enjoying the benefits of a walkable city, a thriving tech and innovation scene, and the ability to connect with clients and friends over a coffee or at local events. “It’s changed how we work and how we live,” says Daniel. “We’re where we want to be – and that makes all the difference.

The Mission: What The Digital Skills Agency Does

For those unfamiliar with the Digital Skills Agency, they work with organisations to help make the most of their digital talent. Mary-Anne explains: “One of the most common starting points is to help our clients tackle two fundamental questions many organisations struggle with: what skills do we have, and what skills do we need?”

Their services include:

  • Skills assessments to identify existing capabilities within teams.
  • Job and team design to support more effective patterns of work
  • Analysis of skill gaps and development needs.
  • Design of professional development pathways.
  • Training and support for better development conversations between managers and staff.

They’ve worked with everyone from large government departments to growing tech companies, often discovering that people have more skills than their roles allow them to use. “Most of us, we’re really busy – so all the great and interesting things you learned about someone when you hired them, honestly, that’s mostly forgotten three, six months in, We help resurface that talent inside your team” says Daniel.

A Space For Business, A Space For Life

As a married couple leading the Digital Skills Agency together, Daniel and Mary-Anne have always valued the flexibility of a distributed work model. However, their move to Christchurch prompted a fresh look at how they work best – both individually and as a team.

“Setting up a dedicated office in the city has been a great step for us, and wasn’t feasible to do when we lived in Auckland,” says Mary-Anne. “It’s helped us create a healthy separation between work and home life, and brought a fresh sense of structure and energy to our day-to-day.”

Expanding Their Reach in Canterbury

The Digital Skills Agency has recently become the national licensee for SkillsTX, the leading online skills management tool, and they’re looking to make their services more accessible to smaller organisations.

Their shift means they’ll likely work with more Canterbury-based businesses, including potential partnerships with Canterbury Tech members.

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The Digital Skills Agency’s story shows that sometimes the best business decisions are also the best life decisions. Their move to Canterbury wasn’t just about escaping Auckland – it was about finding a community where they can thrive both professionally and personally.

*The Digital Skills Agency has been a Canterbury Tech member for 2 years and you can learn more about their services at digitalskillsagency.com. If you’re interested in skills assessment, team design, or professional development support, they’re now just a short walk away in central Christchurch.*