List of Famous people born in Canterbury Region, New Zealand

Christopher Mark Luxon is a New Zealand politician and former business executive who is currently serving as leader of the National Party and is the Leader of the Opposition. He has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Botany electorate since the 2020 general election. He was the chief executive officer of Air New Zealand from 2012 to 2019. Luxon also served in Judith Collins' shadow cabinet as Spokesperson for Local Government, Research, Science, Manufacturing and Land Information, as well as being the Associate Spokesperson for Transport. He has been leader since 30 November 2021, succeeding Collins.

Bradley Riddell is a New Zealand mixed martial artist who competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Benjamin Andrew Stokes is an English international cricketer and current vice-captain of the England cricket team in Test cricket. Stokes was part of the England squad that won the 2019 Cricket World Cup. In July 2020, Stokes captained the England team for the first time, for the first Test match against the West Indies. Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, Stokes moved to northern England with his parents at the age of 12, where he learnt the game and began playing club cricket for local teams. As a left-handed batsman and right-arm fast-medium swing bowler, Stokes is regarded as one of the best all-rounders in the world. Since July 2020, he has been the top-ranked Test all-rounder in the world.

Stephen Paul Fleming is a New Zealand cricket coach and former cricketer, and captain of the New Zealand national cricket team in all three formats of the game and is the head coach of Chennai Super Kings.

Richard Hugh McCaw is a retired New Zealand professional rugby union player. He captained the national team, the All Blacks, in 110 out of his 148 test matches, and won two Rugby World Cups. He has won the World Rugby player of the year award a joint record three times and was the most capped test rugby player of all time from August 2015 to October 2020.

Michael Leitch is a rugby union player who plays in the back row for the Sunwolves in Super Rugby and captains the Japan national team. Leitch was born in New Zealand and moved to Japan as a teenager.

John Geoffrey Wright is a former international cricketer representing – and captaining – New Zealand. He made his international debut in 1978 against England.

Uini Atonio is a New Zealand-born professional rugby union footballer of Samoan heritage who represents France internationally. His usual position is tighthead prop. He currently plays for French club La Rochelle. BBC named him as the biggest forward in 2015 World Cup.

Luke Thompson is a retired Japanese rugby union player. He played as a lock and occasional flanker. He was born in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Brodie Allan Retallick is a New Zealand rugby union footballer, who plays as a lock for the Kobelco Steelers in the Top League in Japan.