Business

Welcome. South Canterbury has earned its place for business on the world stage.

With a robust economy, diverse industry sectors and healthy growth, South Canterbury offers unrivalled opportunities for business right across the three districts of Timaru, Mackenzie and Waimate. With confidence to start new, expand on existing, business investment into the area, you will find your place here.

Strategically located in the centre of New Zealand’s South Island, the thriving port in Timaru supports freight and logistics import/export industry hubs essential to South Canterbury and the national economy. Extensive warehousing and storage capacity is complemented with opportunities for further development.

Major industry and employers such as PrimePort, Fonterra Clandeboye and Studholme Dairy, Oceania Dairy, Holcim Cement terminal, Alpine Energy, McCains, DB Mainland Breweries, NZ Light Leathers, Alliance Group Smithfield meat processing plant and Barker's of Geraldine are amongst significant businesses who choose South Canterbury as a base for manufacturing and distribution.

Leaders in added-value production and recognised as the ‘food bowl’ of New Zealand, South Canterbury attracts a wide spectrum of national and internationally recognised brands working alongside robust local businesses all operating within a vibrant, innovative environment.

Businesses are the mainstay of any community.

The three districts of Timaru, Mackenzie and Waimate that make up the South Canterbury region of New Zealand have an exemplary and diverse range of industry sector representation.

South Canterbury's economy is strongly influenced by its agricultural heritage. Today agriculture across the region is diverse where sheep, beef and dairy farming, horticultural production and cropping thrive alongside manufacturing, engineering and logistics businesses. Hospitality, accommodation, retail, tourism and an extensive range of support industries ensure that businesses across South Canterbury are diverse, vibrant and confident.

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Primary Producers & Agri-business

An abundance of innovative producers and support businesses has made South Canterbury a food bowl to New Zealand and the world.

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Construction, Manufacturing & Industrial

Thriving sectors with impressive capability to meet the substantial demand of export, primary, residential, commercial and tourism industries.

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Transport & Logistics

Central location with excellent road, rail, sea and air connections provides huge advantages to establish, maintain and expand businesses and the economy.

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Useful Business Resources

Advice, support and services to establish or grow your business in South Canterbury.

Discover Business

With a sound economy and healthy growth, South Canterbury is home to local, national and global businesses across an extensive range of industry sectors.