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The official website of the Timaru District Tourism Agency

Economic
Landscape

4.2

Gross Domestic Product

5.94

Businesses operate here

4

Unemployment Rate

VIEW THE ECONOMIC DASHBOARD

Timaru District is home to generational success & world class business.

Timaru District is a productive, business-ready economy with the scale, capability and resilience to back ambition.

Timaru is powered by high-performing agriculture, manufacturing and construction sectors that outperform national productivity benchmarks while a highly diversified economic base reduces risk and supports sustainable growth, providing an array of employment opportunities. The Timaru District prides itself on having one of the lowest unemployment rates in New Zealand.

Backed by strategic South Island connectivity, established industrial land, strong export infrastructure and a culture of innovation across food, fibre, engineering and logistics, the Timaru District offers a compelling place to invest, grow and do business.

Economic & Business Analysis

A diverse economy grows here.

With an HH Index of 245 in 2025, Timaru Districts economy is significantly more diversified than the national average, (which sits at 489 across New Zealand’s 66 territorial authorities) indicating a stable platform for sustained growth.

Strongly influenced by its agricultural heritage, Timaru Districts farming is heavily influenced by dairy, horticulture, intensive cropping, meat and wool. Significant manufacturing, processing, engineering and distribution operations contribute to extensive export and domestic supply of a wide range of goods and services.

Between 2020 and 2025, the number of businesses in the district grew by 5%, driven mainly by an increase in selfemployment, highlighting the confidence to service and support growth across the broader sectors and largescale businesses.

READ THE LATEST ECONOMIC REPORT

3.8

Total Exports

2025

2.3

Dairy Exports Value

2025

806

Manufacured Goods GDP

2025

202

Agriculture Productivity

VS NZ $153K

Looking Ahead

Global challenges and changing markets are opening new doors and opportunities.

EXPLORE GROWTH SECTORS

Our aim is a dynamic local economy with new and growing businesses across future-focused industries.

Scale, specialisation and collaboration underpin Timaru Districts position as one of New Zealand’s most diversified and important food‑producing economies.

In an era defined by shifting trade policies, market volatility and increasing pressure on supply‑chain resilience, Timaru Districts diversified economy has continued to thrive.

Building a resilient, diversified economy means adapting to global trends that support future industries and value add, while mitigating the impact of population decline through enhanced productivity and automation is essential for sustainable growth.