ST KILDA has approached Christchurch to host an AFL game next season after its contract with Wellington lapsed.

The New Zealand capital has hosted games on Anzac Day for the past three seasons, but the annual fixture has failed to capture the imagination of locals.

Still determined to pursue New Zealand as a secondary market, AFL.com.au has confirmed St Kilda has now approached Christchurch, the major city of the country's South Island. 

"Christchurch City Council is always looking for opportunities to bring new and exciting events to the city," Christchurch City Council's Richard Attwood said.

Attwood, the council's manager of events, partnerships and development, confirmed it was the Saints who made the move.

"St Kilda approached the council and we have only just received a proposal from the club," he said.

"Christchurch has a strong sporting history and supports a number of sporting codes from local to international levels," Attwood said. 

"We have a great venue where we can host that game and showcase Christchurch.

"Christchurch has an AFL competition and it is an opportunity to market Christchurch to a large Australian audience."

The city, with a population of around 375,000, is still recovering from a series of earthquakes and aftershocks, which caused major damage in 2011.

Saints CEO Matt Finnis said the decision not to take up an option to continue to play in Wellington was made following a review conducted after this season's Anzac Centenary game (the third year of the partnership).

"We appreciate the support Wellington City Council has given this event in the last three years that has helped grow the game in New Zealand,” he said.

Finnis confirmed that the club and AFL were continuing discussions with a number of New Zealand cities and venues to host the Anzac Day game from 2016.