The Canterbury Chamber of Commerce has broken with tradition with its business awards, and has given a special award to the city of Christchurch.
The tenth annual awards attracted more than 1000 guests on Thursday evening.
The Special Commendation award is usually reserved for a business or a person, but this year has been given to the city.
The event was cancelled last year as a result of the Canterbury earthquakes.
The spokesperson for the event patron Westpac bank, Simon Power, asked the audience to rise and charge their glasses to the future of the city.
The supreme award went to contracting company, Fulton Hogan.
The supreme award for a small enterprise was given to Canterbury Scientific, which produces and exports clinical test controls.
