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The official website of the Timaru District Tourism Agency

Make Timaru Your Business

245

HH Index reflects a highly diversified economy

NZ 489 (less diversified)

205

GDP per fill job Agriculture

NZ $155k

155

GDP per filled job Manufacturing

NZ $135k

38.1

People work in high skilled roles

NZ 41.5%

EXPLORE TIMARU DISTRICTS ECONOMIC PROFILE

Timaru District offers businesses and investors an ambitious, connected, and future-focused place to operate and grow.

Home to a diverse mix of industries and business ownership, Timaru District is resilient, productive, and well placed to adapt to changing markets and support long-term commercial success.

With an economy that is more diversified than many districts across New Zealand, and strong productivity across agriculture, manufacturing, and construction, Timaru offers a proven platform for investment, innovation, and sustained growth.

From owner-operated enterprises to major employers, businesses of all sizes succeed here – supported by local confidence, growing self-employment, and continued investment from both homegrown and international firms.

Strategic location & Market access

Timaru District plays a strategic role in major operators’ supply chains and export pathways.

EXPLORE GROWTH SECTORS

Located in the heart of the South Island, Timaru District gives exporters, manufacturers, processors, and logistics operators a genuine operating advantage.

With 80% of the South Island population within a 2.5-hour drive, and strong connections by road, rail, sea, and air, businesses here can move products efficiently, reach key markets quickly, and scale with confidence. PrimePort Timaru strengthens that advantage by providing an important freight gateway for domestic distribution and international trade.

In 2025, Fonterra committed NZD 75 million to expand butter production at its Clandeboye site, increasing capacity to serve growing global demand and key international markets.

The investment reinforces Timaru District’s role as a base for high-value, export-focused production,

Our established logistics
networks move xxx containers
around the world every year.

MAKE TIMARU YOUR BUSINESS
SEE THE MAJOR BUSINESSES WHO OPERATE HERE

Innovation, Productivity & Future Growth

Business growth in the Timaru District is powered by innovation, productivity and investment.

Timaru District has a strong track record of transforming sector strength into commercial success through innovation, productivity and collaboration. At the centre of this success is an integrated ecosystem where growers, processors, manufacturers, logistics providers and customers operate in close proximity, creating the ideal environment for businesses to innovate, refine products and scale with confidence.

Short, vertically integrated supply chains improve responsiveness, traceability and efficiency, while strong local partnerships and continued investment from both local entrepreneurs and international investors provide the capital, market access and longterm certainty needed for sustainable growth.

As one of New Zealand’s most productive growing regions, Timaru District and the wider South Canterbury has evolved into a highly connected production ecosystem that supports value-added manufacturing, advanced processing and export growth. Its diversity, collaboration and shared commitment to quality enable businesses to remain resilient, competitive and well positioned for long-term growth in an increasingly uncertain global market.

We’re here.
Where are you?

For businesses and investors seeking a location that balances operational practicality with long-term strategic opportunity, the Timaru District represents a smart and future-ready investment choice.