Venture Timaru

09/01/2026

Only 3 weeks to go! 🔥🏉

The Crusaders vs Highlanders pre-season game is coming to Timaru Friday 30 January 2026!

Over 3,000 tickets already sold, don’t miss out on your chance to see this massive showdown!

🎟️ Grab your tickets now: ticketmaster.co.nz/crusaders-v-highlanders-pre-season-timaru-30-01-2026/event/24006371BAA54BE1

📍 Fraser Park, Timaru
📅 Friday 30 January 2026
🕜 Kick off 3:30pm

Timaru District Council, South Canterbury Rugby, Temuka Transport 1967, Crusaders, Highlanders

06/01/2026

Kicking off the new year with a hectic cruise week! Thursday will be the busiest day in town when Norwegian Spirit calls with around 2000 passengers on board.

That includes the biggest cruise ship of the season, and residents are likely to notice the influx of tourists.

17/12/2025

All aboard, Crusaders fans 🚆

Ride in style with the launch of the Crusaders Supporters Train, to the upcoming pre-season match with the Highlanders in Timaru on 30 January 2026! 🏉

The Crusaders Supporters Train will provide a unique rail experience for fans heading south combining rugby, rail travel, great beer and good company.

Seats are limited, book your tickets at www.mainlander.co.nz
Tickets include:
🚄 Train ticket: Addington – Rolleston – Timaru (return)
🏉 Match ticket: Crusaders v Highlanders
🚌 Bus transfer from Timaru Railway Station to Fraser Park

All aboard, Crusaders fans 🚆

We’re heading south in style for our pre-season clash with the Highlanders in Timaru on 30 January 2026. Introducing the Crusaders Supporters Train, a one-of-a-kind match day experience combining rugby, rail travel, Southern Alps pride, cold beers and good mates.

Seats are limited. Don’t miss the ride.
Bookings via mainlander.co.nz

17/12/2025

Here’s your chance to help decorate the new Christmas tree at the Piazza! 🎄

Members of the community who wish to contribute to the tree decorations may drop off an ornament to any Timaru District Libraries before 3pm Thursday 18 December.

Decorations need to be sturdy (no glass or ceramics) and around the size of a tennis ball. Alternatively, a piece of wide ribbon or cloth (able to be tied) of festive colour(s) will also be accepted.

Read the full press release here: https://www.timaru.govt.nz/.../community-saves-christmas

Hey Folks!

The good news is spreading! As many of you will know a tree has gone up on the Piazza.

Christmas has been saved in Timaru thanks to local businesses coming together. The wider community has a chance to help too.

A community-led proposal has been progressed to install a felled pine tree, to replace the fire damaged Christmas tree, at the top of the Bay Hill.

Local business leader Gordon Handy was relaxing on Friday night after hearing about the Christmas tree being damaged early the same morning and thought “the community has to have a Christmas tree.”

And the tree was transported and made possible thanks to Gordon's collaboration with Hilton Haulage Limited, Fabetch and Hardie Building 2024.

In response to the tree going up last night, it was seen the community were excited and wanting to help.

Members of the community who wish to contribute to the tree decorations may drop in an ornament to any Timaru District Libraries from Wednesday 17 December to Thursday 18 December 3pm.

Due to health and safety restrictions, council staff will be hanging these decorations on behalf of the community.

Decorations need to be sturdy (no glass or ceramics) and around the size of a tennis ball. Alternatively, a piece of wide ribbon or cloth (able to be tied) of festive colour(s) will also be accepted.

Donations to contribute to the cost of decorations have also been received from Tyson Ford Carpentry, South Canterbury Roofing, Manage My Cashflow, South Canterbury Neighbourhood Support, IHC South Canterbury, Pampered to Perfection, Shiphop Brewery, Clark Decorating and James Meager MP for Rangitata.

Read the full press release here: https://www.timaru.govt.nz/news/culture-and-lifestyle/community-saves-christmas

10/12/2025

The latest figures are out for the economic impact of cruise in NZ in a national report that shows Timaru's 2024-2025 season was worth about $1.9m to our local economy. Passenger spend last season is estimated at $313 per person, compared to $283 the previous year.

Read more in the Timaru Herald story.

Just 12 days after an ambitious plan to attract up to 30 cruise ships a year to Timaru’s port by 2030 was revealed, a new report shows their benefit to the region’s economy.

09/12/2025

Thanks NZCA! Our cruise team and our community are enjoying welcoming the cruise visitors to our region and keen to see more 😀

Timaru is emerging as one of New Zealand’s strongest regional cruise growth stories — and the numbers prove it.

This season, Timaru’s share of national cruise ship port calls is set to reach 2.1%, a remarkable lift from just 0.4% in the 2019/20 pre-Covid season. With 14 cruise visits due this year — the only destination in the country tracking up on last season — the region has its sights firmly set on sustained growth.

Venture Timaru’s long-term strategy outlines a pathway to reach up to 30 cruise calls by 2030, supported by targeted product development, stronger operator capability, and deeper industry partnerships.

As Venture Timaru chief executive Nigel Davenport notes, this is “an ambitious target — but we believe you’ve got to aim high, rather than setting a mediocre target.”

PrimePort is equally focused on building long-term success.
“We’ve been taking a proactive stance in building our relationships with the cruise lines and it is slowly paying off,” says PrimePort chief executive Phil Melhopt.

The region’s growth pillars include:
• Product uplift across all passenger segments
• Expanded tour capacity and improved guest flow
• Stronger destination storytelling and marketing
• Enhanced business participation to capture greater visitor spend
• Maintaining high levels of community support as visitation increases

With its strategic location between Christchurch and Dunedin — and a strong “can-do” reputation — Timaru is positioning itself as an essential cruise port for the years ahead.

👏👏👏
PrimePort Timaru Limited Venture Timaru

01/12/2025

Timaru students have given the Caroline Bay Mini Golf course office a fresh makeover ready for the busy summer season ⛳🖌️

Students from Ara Timaru’s Trade Primer course gained hands-on experience, exploring different trade roles while brightening up the popular local attraction.

The attraction is getting a lick of paint ahead of the busy festive season, and it is hoped the project may get more people into the industry.

28/11/2025

Timaru's been buzzing today as we've welcomed our first cruise ship for the season. And we're now working on a plan to attract more. Check out the Timaru Herald story.

It comes as Timaru’s port prepares to welcome its first cruise ship of the season on Friday.

25/11/2025

Check out these fabulous banners that have been designed by some of the creative arts students at Timaru's Ara Campus. If you want to have your say to support retaining these creative courses in Timaru, you need to submit by 27 November. Time is running out!!! Have your say at consultation@ara.ac.nz

23/11/2025

New economic report shows some positive news for the Timaru District's economy in the September quarter. Read the full story in the Timaru Herald.

Timaru’s economy recorded a 1.2% GDP rise in the September 2025 quarter but a 0.3% drop for the full year, together with an increase in unemployment.

20/11/2025

TICKETS GO ON SALE TOMORROW! 🔥

Get ready to buy your tickets for the Crusaders vs Highlanders pre-season game in Timaru! 🏉

General admission ticket sales go live at 1pm Friday 21 November 2025.

Tickets available tomorrow using this link: https://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/event/24006371BAA54BE1

📅 30 January 2026
📍 Fraser Park, Timaru
🕗 Kick off 3:30pm

Timaru District Council, South Canterbury Rugby, Temuka Transport 1967, Crusaders, Highlanders

14/11/2025

Another Auckland family counting the benefits of their move to Timaru - business opportunities and lifestyle for all the family are the big attractions 😀

Note - correction in the article, of the 600 Alliance workers affected in the Smithfield plant closure only 60-70 HAVEN’T found jobs yet.

Could this be the next destination for families seeking balance, affordable homes, strong community spirit and good wellbeing metrics?