While I don't think we deserve our reputation as a conservative city it is probably fair to say that we are a watchful city – we like to weigh up new things before we either accept or reject them.

Perhaps one of our greatest strengths as a city is that Christchurch is known as a city that does not want to blindly imitate other cities.

Instead we take what suits our city values and from time to time learn from watching the mistakes of others. Modern life calls on us all to try and manage change before change manages us.

I have been thinking deeply about managing change for Christchurch over the holiday break as I have started preparing for a busy year that will include building trade ties in Malaysia and learning how to deal with urban growth positively in Curitiba, Brazil.

Both trips are driven by the need to make sure economic and social change here and overseas can be tapped into for the direct benefit of Christchurch citizens.

There are some great advantages to representing Christchurch, now known internationally as the world's best run city.

The world wants to listen to us and is also keen to contribute to our success story.

It is a great position to be in. Within New Zealand we are also enjoying a strong name for managing change in a way that aims to be inclusive, not exclusive.

This deep commitment to practical humanity is one of the key Christchurch values that seems to have caught on nationally.

We will see some recognition of this in the next year as Christchurch is chosen by central Government to be the lead city in moves to make Government departments more accountable to their local communities.

This will not be a programme based more on rhetoric than reality.

It will be a serious attempt to give local communities more say in how they work directly with Government departments. Like so many other examples of positive change, the pilot will again take place in Christchurch.

Increased accountability is an idea that all sector groups should learn to take very seriously.

Local services including local government and health boards and staff have to be accountable to the local people.

I have seen hopeful signs of that with the news that the District Health Board is working toward a South Island-wide pay scale by the middle of next year.

Community-based accountability is one of the areas of change that I plan to put a major effort into helping along this year.

Positive change is something Christchurch does superbly. Let's make sure this turns out to be a year where our lead role enjoys even greater success.