Simulation trading floor unveiled at Christchurch uni, 30 years after 1987 crash

A Christchurch university is building on the lessons of the past with the opening of a state-of-the-art simulation trading floor.

The University of Canterbury opened their new high-tech classroom today, just days before the 30th anniversary of Black Tuesday.

The day, marked in New Zealand on October 20, is the largest single day market crash in history.

Economics and finance professor Jedrez Bialkowski says the new facility will help students prepare for a number of situations including future crashes.

"My students will experience those crisis in this room but the losses won't be real," he said.

"Then they can come up with notes not losses."

The new facility was opened by former prime minister and foreign exchange trader Sir John Key.