Venture Timaru

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?

13/11/2025

We're proud to be working with PrimePort to bring more cruise ships to Timaru as we build our cruise business and boost our local economy. Looking forward to Noordam arriving to kick off the season on 28 November.

Timaru is the only port in New Zealand with an increase in cruise ship visits this season, expected to be its busiest yet.

12/11/2025

Congratulations to our board chair Logan Hanifin on Timaru business NZ Petfoods launch into China!

How good to see Logan Hanifin from local South Canterbury Business NZ Petfoods on the trade mission to China with Trade Minister Todd McClay MP .

Logan and the team have recently formally launched their Pure Maranui brand in the China market and signed an MOU to launch a second brand in Q2 2026. These announcements in Shanghai this week, supported by the Government, are a reflection of the significant impact South Canterbury businesses have on the international stage.

06/11/2025

From paddock to pantries and supermarkets around the world, Timaru District's Turley Farms Limited are one of NZs growers of this world first miniature apple. 🍎
Find out more about these healthy delights and where you can get your hands on these fresh snack packs here,
https://www.rockitapple.com/rockit-apple/

Are you thinking of starting or scaling your business in a place that leads innovation?
Take the time to get to know our Timaru District - Make Timaru Your Business
Find out more here, https://maketimaruyourbusiness.nz/

01/11/2025

What a great day at Brews on the Bay at Caroline Bay. We’re super proud with Timaru District Council to support this event through the Major Events Support Fund.

Thanks to the stall holders, entertainers, organisers and everyone who came. Special shout out to Jason Kerrison and Sonar Flare - great show!

30/10/2025

We are thrilled to be moving into our new location today!

Many of you will know this buildings as Newman’s Music Works, now this heritage Union Bank Building is co shared with TDHL.

We are excited to be bringing new life to the southern end of Stafford Street. We are still getting organised but here’s a glimpse of how the space looks.

We will be set up on Monday so you are welcome to come in and say hello.

23/10/2025

It's that time of year again, when our farmers' canola crops are in full bloom around Timaru District, getting ready to produce seeds for the The Good Oil. You'll drive past some picturesque fields just south of Timaru and for the energetic folk out there, you can see some nearby while walking the Jack's Point Walkway - https://www.vttourism.co.nz/activities/walk-swim-bike/tuhawaiki-jacks-point

23/10/2025

This week, we welcomed our teammates from Northland Inc , Venture Taranaki, CEDA - Central Economic Development Agency, and Great South to Timaru for the final stop of the AGMARDT funded Collaboration Series.

Over two days, we explored some of our district's standout primary sector projects - connecting, sharing insights and celebrating innovation, collaboration and extraordinary mahi.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the final leg of this series such a success. We couldn’t have asked for a better place to wrap things up than right here at home.

From potatoes, carrots, and dairy farming at Pye Group, to diversification at the Turley’s Apple Orchard, to New Zealand’s only biotech company South Pacific Sera, then on to agritech and drones at SPS Automation, finishing with a success story of visionary collaboration in the building of the Opuha Dam - a project that rejuvenated both the environment and productivity in our district, followed by our much-loved local brand Barker’s, an outstanding agricultural and building programme at Geraldine High School, and a celebratory drink at Humdinger. It was a privilege to showcase what makes our primary sector and Timaru district so special.

Each region brings something unique to the table and together we share a vision to strengthen and grow New Zealand’s agri sector through collaboration and innovation. This week reminded us just how powerful partnerships can be.

A special thanks to Margaret Turley for our farm lunch on the back of the ute in the middle of the orchard.

23/10/2025

Paddock to Pantry – From their certified-organic family orchard in the Timaru District to pantries around the world, ViBERi blackcurrants are grown by Tony and Afsaneh Howey, and their enthusiastic team made up of many nationalities.

They grow New Zealand’s only significant commercial crop of certified organic blackcurrants. “It gives our buyers peace of mind and infuses the blackcurrants with a richer taste,” says Tony, who’s passionate about growing nutritious food sustainably.

ViBERi blackcurrants thrive in a region renowned for producing fruit with some of the highest levels of anthocyanins (a powerful antioxidant) in the world .

The Timaru District is a hub for food and fibre innovation. Thinking of setting up, scaling, or trialling something new?
Make it your business to get to know our district,
visit www.maketimaruyourbusiness.nz

Find out more about Viberi here,
https://viberi.co.nz/pages/about-us

23/10/2025

Traitors have just wrapped up in Timaru filming the next NZ and Australian series ... and awesome to hear how much they're loving being based here. Check out the Timaru Herald story.

As filming on the third season of reality television show The Traitors NZ wraps in Timaru this week, its executive producer is full of praise for the area.

29/07/2025

Buy local and invest in your local community!

Our Buy Local campaign is back to remind us all that supporting local helps our community thrive!

Visit Humdinger Gin new store in Geraldine and explore the full range of award-winning gin, handcrafted in their distillery.

Head to theexchangetimaru.nz and geraldine.nz for your go to guide on shopping and dining to discovering local gems and hidden treasures in central Timaru and Geraldine.

Geraldine.nz

24/07/2025

Buy local and invest in your local community.
Discover Temuka Pottery Retail Shop an iconic New Zealand brand since 1931. Shop timeless handmade pottery, then relax over a treat at the 100% Homemade Cafe. 🏺☕