Venture Timaru

16/04/2026

Here's a little more about the Sunrise TV visit next week - hoping for a good crowd to welcome the team on Tuesday at Heritage Place, Lower George St. Details below.

As the number of international visitors arriving in Canterbury continues to climb, Timaru will feature on Australia’s Sunrise breakfast show next week as part of a campaign to get even more Aussies across the ditch.

15/04/2026

Want to say hello to the Aussies? Breakfast TV show Sunrise is in Timaru next week, and we're keen to get a good crowd along! Find out how to be involved below with our tourism team 😃

Australia’s No. 1 breakfast show is coming to Timaru and we need you! 🫵🏻

We’re looking for a crowd to bring the energy and feature in the background as we showcase some of the best of what Timaru has to offer.

If this sounds like you please come along anytime from 7:30am on Tuesday 21 April! Below is the schedule of the morning 👇🏻

The Speight's Ale House is open from 7:30am with free coffee for those coming to support and feature in the background of the Aussie breakfast show Sunrise Australia, which has over 3 million viewers a week! ☀️

Schedule:
6:30: Sunrise crew arrive

7:45: Live cross #1- Heritage Place: Quick cross with crowd behind.

8:10: Live cross #2- Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre: Sam interviewing Rachel Solomon inside the centre

8:35: Live cross #3- Caroline Bay Rock and Hop: Sam interviewing Kim within set of classic cars (and their owners)

9:10: Live cross #4- Quick cross with crowd behind.

9:35: Live cross #5- Hector Black’s Lounge: Sam interviewing Tim while he makes a breakfast cocktail

10:10: Live cross #6- Aerobics: Sam interviewing Lee King while she runs a group class (Sam joins in)

10:35: Live cross #7- Quick goodbye with crowd behind.

09/04/2026

One of central Timaru's beautiful heritage buildings is getting some love from owners Timaru Civic Trust, with a new paint job underway. Trust chairperson Josh Newlove says “by investing in and caring for heritage buildings, we hope to demonstrate their importance not just to our built environment, but also to Timaru’s social history.” Great to see😃

The heritage-listed building was last painted about 30 years ago, and the trust that owns it has carefully considered the colour scheme.

29/03/2026

Some interesting insights on our district from Infometrics' top economist, Brad Olsen, while visiting last week. Key to his positive comments is the diversity of the industries here. You can read more in the Timaru Herald story.

Infometrics provides the economic data for Venture Timaru and Timaru District Council

The district’s advantage over similar-sized areas is in its variety and spread of industries, and there is a lot of opportunity to be even better, a leading economist says.

26/03/2026

Great to see our Tourism Marketing and Engagement Manager, Sharnae, out actively promoting the Timaru District to key travel trade partners.

In mid-March, Sharnae travelled to Sydney to connect with Australian-based buyers including Webjet, Tripadvisor and Helloworld Travel. This was part of a Tourism New Zealand led event alongside regional tourism organisations from across the country.

The following week, she continued this momentum in Auckland, meeting with New Zealand-based inbound tour operators who package and sell New Zealand experiences to international visitors. These connections are critical in creating pathways for our local activity operators and accommodation providers to secure future bookings.

With over 50% of international visitors using a travel agent or online platform to plan their trips, engagement with the travel trade remains a key growth channel for our region.

Encouragingly, the latest data (January 2026) shows international visitor spend is up 13% year-on-year — a strong signal that this work is delivering real results.

24/03/2026

Congratulations to the team behind the Caroline Bay Rock & Hop event last week. What an amazing sight it was - the district was full of visitors and locals could enjoy the spectacle as well!

Venture Timaru is proud to support this event, thanks to the Major Events Support Fund that we administer on behalf of Timaru District Council

With big crowds and sellout evening events, the annual festival’s 10th outing went off without a hitch at the weekend.

22/03/2026

This is your last chance to book tickets for a breakfast with Brad Olsen.

Join the Venture Timaru team On Wednesday 25 March for an insightful morning with Infometrics Chief Economist Brad Olsen.

🕒 7.30am - 9am
📍 Fraser Park Function Centre, Church Street, Timaru
🎟️ $29 per person for full breakfast buffet

Brad will present on the 2026 economic outlook and South Island trends, where recovery is likely to emerge, and where it may lag, what these trends will mean for local businesses and the key risks and opportunities ahead.

👉 Register here

Blessings and curses in the economic outlook for the South Island in 2026 – come and hear the latest insights from Infometrics Chief Economist Brad Olsen

19/03/2026

Aerospace is a global growth industry, worth USD 546 billion today and expected to grow to more than USD 1.8 trillion by 2035. Business leaders in the South Canterbury District are working together to make sure our region is part of that global marketplace.

New Zealand is already a strong player:
• We’re the third busiest launch nation in the world 🚀
• NZs space sector is worth NZD $2.5 billion and has grown 53% in just five years
• Canterbury is home to the majority of the country’s aerospace companies

What does that mean for Timaru?
At our recent Aerospace event, David Wright (Asteria Engineering) and Roland Sommer (Aerospace NZ | Manufacturing Lead at SPS Automation) shared first hand insight into what aerospace customers really look for and why regional capability matters, siting that many of the building blocks are already here.

Our district has drone technology innovators, precision engineering and fabrication businesses, established airfields, and strong logistics capability. These are exactly the kinds of strengths aerospace companies are looking for. Alongside, what matters most within the industry - quality work, attention to detail, reliable delivery, traceability, and the ability to solve problems together.

Our key takeaways from the session:
✅ The market is real
✅ The demand is growing
✅ Timaru has a role to play

Aerospace offers a long-term opportunity for business growth, skilled jobs and access to international markets and South Canterbury is well placed to be part of that future.

Curious about what aerospace could mean for your business?
Venture Timaru would love to talk.

13/03/2026

Busy end to successful cruise season this week - and looking positive already for the coming seasons ahead.

Timaru’s ambitious plan to attract up to 30 cruise ships a year by 2030 is off to a great start, the port’s commercial and marine manager says.

10/03/2026

Join the Venture Timaru team for an insightful morning with Infometrics Chief Economist Brad Olsen.

📅 Wednesday 25 March, 7.30am - 9am
📍 Fraser Park Function Centre, Church Street, Timaru
💲$29 per person for full breakfast buffet
🍽️ Buffet includes eggs, bacon, sausages, mushrooms, toast, croissants and fresh fruit

Brad will present on the 2026 economic outlook and South Island trends, where recovery is likely to emerge, and where it may lag, what these trends will mean for local businesses and the key risks and opportunities ahead.

👉 Register here events.humanitix.com/breakfast-with-brad-olsen

Blessings and curses in the economic outlook for the South Island in 2026 – come and hear the latest insights from Infometrics Chief Economist Brad Olsen

04/03/2026

🚀 South Canterbury Aerospace Meeting, Wednesday18 March
📍 Venture Timaru Boardroom
🕙 10am–1pm

Join us for the first aerospace meeting of 2026!

If you’re working in manufacturing, engineering, automation, technology, and exploring aerospace opportunities, this session is for you.

We are fortunate to be joined by a strong lineup of esteemed guest speakers, each respected in their field: David Wright (Asteria Engineering), Scott Spooner and Roland Sommer (SPS Automation). They will share valuable insights drawn from real-world experience spanning engineering, manufacturing, automation, and aerospace-aligned development.

What to expect:
✔ Practical insights on manufacturing excellence
✔ Understanding market entry pathways
✔ Speakers sharing industry experience and lessons learned
✔ Update from ChristchurchNZ on regional aerospace developments
✔ Time to connect, ask questions, and build momentum together

Spaces are limited. Register now to secure your place.
Email tania@venturetimaru.nz

02/03/2026

Latest economic report for Timaru District from Infometrics points to strengthening agricultural commodity prices and improving sentiment across the livestock sector, which Venture Timaru CE Nigel Davenport says is “a critical driver of the regional economy’’. Read more in the Timaru Herald story.

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.