Agriculture a major influence on economy
The Timaru District economy is strongly influenced by its agricultural heritage. From its birth in pioneering sheep farming, our richly productive agricultural sector has grown to become New Zealand's "food bowl".
Today's farming is heavily influenced by dairy, with horticulture, intensive cropping, meat and wool also playing an important role. Significant manufacturing, processing, engineering and distribution operations contribute to extensive export and domestic supply of a wide range of goods and services.
This provides an array of employment opportunities across all sectors from trades and manufacturing to the professional, service and primary sectors. The Timaru District prides itself on having one of the lowest unemployment rates in New Zealand.
The wider South Canterbury region enjoys reliable and accessible water for irrigation and industry - indeed some of the most affordable resource in the country. This continues to provide the impetus for the development and growth of successful food processing and exporting operations. Large scale investment in water storage, quality and management is continuing, helping to ensure a robust, diverse economic future for the District.
Timaru District – Quarterly Economic Monitor Report June 2025
Timaru District – Quarterly Economic Monitor Report June 2025
Highlights:
Improved meat and dairy prices are a real positive for Timaru District in the latest economic quarterly report released this week, helping to keep the district’s drop in GDP, at a slightly better level than the national figure.
In the 12 months to the end of June, Timaru District’s GDP fell 0.6%, while nationally the GDP drop was 0.8%. The figures are contained in the economic report produced for Venture Timaru by Infometrics.
The report shows there was a 2% boost to agriculture GDP in the past year. Key factors for this are the record-high levels for the dairy payout and elevated meat prices for sheep and beef.
GDP
GDP in Timaru District was down 0.6%, totalling $3,970 million.
Dairy payout
Timaru District's dairy payout for the 2024/2025 season is expected to be approximately $586 million, $141 million higher than last season, assuming that production levels from last season are maintained.
Consumer spending
Electronic card consumer spending in Timaru District as measured by Marketview, increased by 0.1%, compared to a decrease nationally of 1.7%.
Tourism spending
Total tourism expenditure in Timaru District decreased by 2.5% in the year. Total tourism expenditure was approximately $269 million during the year to June 2025, which was down from $276 million a year ago.
House values
Timaru’s house values are up 0.3% with the average value now $514,306 compared with $873,626 nationally.
View the full report here:
Timaru District offers a great lifestyle with abundant opportunities. Find out more from residents who've moved here about what Timaru District offers for their lifestyle.
“Farmers Mill have chosen Timaru, South Canterbury to build our state-of-the art flour mill. The district is central to the arable land which produces the wheat we use to mill 100% NZ Flour. We find the district has a strong economic profile and the services and people we require to build a world class business.”
Murray Turley, Chairman, Farmers Mill, Timaru