Christchurch has been named as a finalist for New Zealand’s most beautiful large city - competing against Tauranga for the honour.

Keep New Zealand Beautiful announced the finalists of its Beautiful Awards 2023 on Tuesday. The not-for-profit organisation has held the awards annually since 1972 and this year's winners will be announced November 9.

“The awards are a chance for Kiwis to put their community on the map and to celebrate a stand-out sustainability initiative," Keep New Zealand Beautiful chief executive Heather Saunderson said.

“This collective contribution is key to maintaining the biodiversity of Aotearoa and to creating a waste and climate conscious future for the next generations.

Christchurch was selected as a finalist in the large city category (major urban area with 100,000 or more residents) because of its council’s focus on sustainable local food production and distribution systems, a statement by Keep New Zealand Beautiful said.

Is Christchurch NZ's most beautiful large city? What do you like about the Garden City, or what could we improve? Read reporter Kristie Boland's full story here, and let us know what you think in the comments below.