Economic activity in Timaru District improves but recovery remains patchy, report shows

Timaru’s economy grew by 2% in the December quarter and while economic activity was improving in the district, recovery remains patchy, the latest data shows.

Provisional Infometrics figures for the December quarter, produced for Venture Timaru, also showed GDP in the district rose 0.3% over the 2025 calendar year, compared with 0.4% nationally, and strong agricultural commodity prices continued to buoy the district’s economy.

Business indicators painted a mixed picture of the district, with business counts (businesses grouped by industry and region) increasing 1.8%, but commercial vehicle registrations easing to 0.4% over the 2025 calendar year.

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