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The official site of the Timaru District Economic Development & Tourism Agency

Home is where
the heart is

Timaru District is home to communities where work, family and lifestyle thrive together.

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

49

People live in the Timaru District

96

Of our working age
population are employed

NZ 94.7%

122

Average household income

NZ $135k

4.3

Housing Affordability Ratio

NZ 5.9 (less affordable)

Timaru District has a unique lifestyle that offers space, opportunity and freedom to thrive. Our pioneering spirit began with the people who farmed this land and built strong communities, and it continues today through the businesses, industries and people who call the district home.

Whether you’re drawn to the coastal lifestyle of Timaru, the welcoming communities of Temuka and Pleasant Point, the village charm of Geraldine, or the natural beauty of Peel Forest, you’ll find a place where work, family and recreation fit comfortably together.

Our central location places some of New Zealand’s best outdoor experiences within easy reach – from skiing and snowboarding to hunting, fishing, boating, surfing, kayaking, hiking and camping. With lakes, mountains, beaches and forests all nearby, the lifestyle opportunities are as diverse as the people living here.

Our towns & communities

Located in the heart of the South Island, our townships offer safe, welcoming, and unique ways of living.

Whether you’re looking for a vibrant village atmosphere, a rural community with room to grow, or a home surrounded by native forest and open landscapes, you’re never far from employment, education, healthcare and essential services.

Join welcoming, safe communities where it’s easy to get involved and feel you belong. Across the district, opportunities to participate in arts, culture, heritage, sport, recreation and volunteering open the door to new friendships, shared experiences and a strong sense of community.

Timaru

As the commercial, education and healthcare hub of South Canterbury, Timaru combines the convenience of city services with the lifestyle benefits of a regional community.

Half of the districts residents live in TImaru. Residents enjoy short commute times, quality schools, modern sporting facilities, public and private healthcare, and a warm and welcoming retail and hospitality scene. At the heart of the city is Caroline Bay—one of New Zealand’s favourite family beaches—where locals gather year-round to swim, walk, cycle, play and enjoy community events.

Whether you work in one of Timaru’s diverse industries, run your own business or work remotely, Timaru offers the connectivity and infrastructure to support modern working. Regular flights from Richard Pearse Airport to Wellington provide easy onward connections across New Zealand, while Christchurch International Airport is just a two-hour drive away for domestic and international travel.

With a growing economy, strong digital connectivity and more time to enjoy family, recreation and community, Timaru is a place where work and life are genuinely in balance.

EXPLORE THINGS TO SEE & DO IN TIMARU

Pleasant Point

Surrounded by productive farmland, the Pleasant Point township has a proud farming heritage and a close-knit community where people know their neighbours and take pride in supporting one another.

Community events, local sport and outdoor recreation are woven into everyday life, while the flexibility to work locally, commute to Timaru or work remotely provides opportunities for a wide range of lifestyles. Just 20 minutes from Timaru, Pleasant Point offers country living without compromise.

Just 20 minutes from Timaru, Pleasant Point offers country living without compromise.

EXPLORE THINGS TO SEE &
DO IN PLEASANT POINT

Temuka

Temuka is a proud rural township where generations of families have built strong communities, successful businesses and lasting connections. With deep agricultural and manufacturing roots, it offers local employment alongside the flexibility to work across the wider district.

Life in Temuka is centred around community, with schools, local businesses, sporting clubs, events and volunteers bringing people together throughout the year. Just 15 minutes from Timaru, residents enjoy the best of both worlds—a welcoming rural lifestyle with easy access to the district’s broader opportunities.

Life is centred around community, with schools, local businesses, sporting clubs, events and volunteers bringing people together.

EXPLORE THINGS TO
SEE & DO IN TEMUKA

Geraldine

Experience rural living with a creative and vibrant village atmosphere.

EXPLORE THINGS TO SEE & DO IN GERALDINE

Geraldine offers the best of rural living, combining a vibrant village atmosphere with a strong sense of community and a lifestyle that encourages people to slow down and enjoy their surroundings.

Set amongst productive farmland and close to the mountains, rivers and lakes, it’s a place where outdoor recreation, local events and community sport are part of everyday life.

Families benefit from excellent schools and essential services close to home, while Timaru is just a short drive away for wider employment, healthcare and retail. Whether you’re raising a family, running a business or working remotely, Geraldine offers the space and lifestyle to feel connected and thrive.

Peel Forest

Peel Forest is a unique lifestyle destination for those who want to live surrounded by nature. Nestled beneath the foothills and framed by native forest, it’s a place where walking, mountain biking, horse riding, fishing and exploring the outdoors become part of everyday life.

Residents enjoy the peace and space of country living while remaining connected to Geraldine and Timaru for work, education and essential services. For those seeking a slower pace or active recreational activities and a strong connection to the natural environment, Peel Forest offers an exceptional place to call home.

A unique lifestyle destination for those who want to live surrounded by nature.

EXPLORE THINGS TO SEE & DO
IN PEEL FOREST & MESOPOTAMIA

An affordable lifestyle

Timaru District is one of the most affordable places
to live in New Zealand.

HOUSING AFFORDABILITY AT A GLANCE

Affordability is one of Timaru District’s real advantages.

The cost of housing in our district is more closely aligned with local incomes than in many other parts of the country. In March 2026, Timaru District’s housing affordability index was 4.3, compared with 5.6 across Canterbury and 5.9 nationally.

That makes a difference to everyday life, presenting opportunities to support family, enjoy local activities, contribute to community life and invest in your future.

That difference is reflected in our local economy. Consumer spending in Timaru District increased by 1.6% in the year ended March 2026, outperforming both Canterbury (0.5%) and New Zealand overall (-0.3%).

Our district offers strong career opportunities across a range of industries, alongside quality education pathways, accessible healthcare and welcoming community networks. From early childhood through to tertiary study, and from newcomers to long-time residents, people are supported to grow, connect and succeed.

Life in the Timaru District

From highly skilled migrants and locals returning home after overseas or city life, to proud residents contributing to community life and celebrating our heritage, these stories highlight affordable living, safety, a welcoming community, strong job and business opportunities, and the balanced lifestyle across our district.

Discover why people and families are relocating and returning home for the lifestyle of our Timaru District

Kathy Shu

Making with her family from Shanghai to Timaru in 2015 was a rewarding move. Kathy was employed and supported in her move by Vendella for her international supply chain expertise.

The article follows her career contribution to the business, her family’s settlement in Timaru, and celebrates their experience of building a life and community leadership and connections in the district.

Read more

Andrew Geddes

Returning to Timaru after nine years overseas, Andrew has grown a successful engineering business while raising his family. The article explores his career, the expansion of Machinecraft, and why Timaru’s lifestyle, location and opportunities influenced his decision to return and settle in his hometown where he was born ad raised,
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Roselyn Fauth

Arguably one of Timaru District’s strongest advocates, Roselyn champions heritage, arts and culture and is involved in community initiatives that move the district forward together. Her skills as an artist, graphic designer and historian,have contributed to numerous projects including designing and fundraising for CPlay, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest playground.
Read more