South Canterbury is the area of the Canterbury Region of the South Island of New Zealand bounded by the Rangitata River in the north and the Waitaki River (the border with the Otago Region) to the south. The Pacific Ocean and ridge of the Southern Alps form natural boundaries to the east and west respectively. Though the exact boundaries of the region have never been formalised, the term is used for a variety of government agencies (e.g., the South Canterbury District Health Board ) and other entities (such as the South Canterbury provincial rugby team ). It is one of four traditional sub-regions of Canterbury, along with Mid Canterbury , North Canterbury , and Christchurch city.
41-522: Hunters Hills (also known as The Hunters Hills , Te Tari a Te Kaumira ( Māori ) ) is a range of mountains in South Canterbury , New Zealand . The Hunters Hills are named as they were a significant hunting area for the local Māori at the time of European settlement. They are known in the Māori language as Te Tari a Te Kaumira meaning "the long range of Te Kaumira" who perished there in
82-560: A cabbage tree and maru , meaning 'shady'. Māori waka seem to have employed the site of Timaru as a place to rest on journeys up and down the eastern coastline for many years before the arrival of the first Europeans in the 19th century. The area includes over 500 sites with traces of Māori rock art, particularly in the rock overhangs and caves of the Opuha and Ōpihi river valleys, to the west of modern-day Timaru. Archaeologists have suggested that Māori iwi (tribes) were permanently settled in
123-479: A clear contrast with the flat landscape of the Canterbury Plains to the north. This volcanic rock is used for the construction of local " bluestone " buildings. The origin of the name 'Timaru' is disputed. Some believe that it derives from Māori Te Maru , which can mean a 'place of shelter'. However, other authorities allege that Timaru originates from a literal translation of the combination of tī ,
164-466: A comprehensive range of community sporting facilities designed to international standards for rugby, tennis, yachting, Hardcourt Bike Polo , swimming, netball, motor racing, cricket, golf, hockey, croquet, pistol shooting, trap shooting, bowls and horse racing. Aorangi Park is Timaru's major sporting venue. The Council also operates the CBAY Complex which includes upgrades to the old swimming pool,
205-483: A major junction with State Highway 8 , the main route into the Mackenzie Country . This provides a road link to Pleasant Point , Fairlie , Twizel , Lake Tekapo , Aoraki / Mount Cook and Queenstown . Timaru has been built on rolling hills created from the lava flows of the extinct Mt Horrible volcano, which last erupted thousands of years ago. The result is that most of the main streets are undulating,
246-1041: A restaurant and gym. Timaru is also home to the Timaru International Motor Raceway , which is one of only 4 permanent sealed motor racing circuits in the South island. Horse races are held at the Phar Lap Raceway. Timaru's main football ground is Sir Basil Arthur Park. It has four senior pitches and six junior pitches. Football is also played at The Caledonian Grounds, Anzac Square, West End Park, Aorangi Park and Marchwiel Park. Clubs include West End AFC , Northern Hearts , Timaru City , Timaru Thistle and Pleasant Point . Timaru has many golf clubs and well-maintained golf courses, including: and in close proximity to these: Timaru has New Zealand's largest Inline speed skating teams, South Canterbury, which has national records in several disciplines. The club has held many national tournaments over
287-615: A snowstorm. Surveyor Charles Torlesse camped in the Hunters Hills with the chief Te Huruhuru in 1849, who has one of the peaks named after him. Mount Studholme is named after the Studholme family who were early and successful farming pioneers. The hills extend inland from Waimate in a north-west trending line that gets higher and accumulates in Mount Nessing with a height of 1,601 m (5,253 ft). To their south
328-571: Is a port city in the southern Canterbury Region of New Zealand, located 157 km (98 mi) southwest of Christchurch and about 196 km (122 mi) northeast of Dunedin on the eastern Pacific coast of the South Island . The Timaru urban area is home to 29,600 people, and is the largest urban area in South Canterbury , and the third-largest in the Canterbury Region overall, after Christchurch and Rolleston . The town
369-623: Is an agricultural service town and port for the South Canterbury regional economy. Timaru is one of the major cargo ports of the South Island, with a number of light manufacturing plants associated with the export and import trade. Many of these producers are concerned with processing, packing, and distributing meat, dairy and other agricultural produce. Timaru is the second largest fishing port in New Zealand. Allan Hubbard
410-482: Is concentrated around the Stafford Street area. In addition there are a number of local shopping malls distributed around the city, with extensive car parking facilities. The South Canterbury Museum is the main museum for the region, containing exhibits relating to physical geography and the environment, fossil remains, Māori rock art, the early settlement of the district, local maritime history, scrimshaw ,
451-420: Is evenly distributed throughout the year, with a very small proportion of it falling as snow. The Timaru urban area is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a medium urban area. It covers 33.98 km (13.12 sq mi) and incorporates sixteen statistical areas. It had an estimated population of 29,600 as of June 2024, with a population density of 871 people per km . Timaru had a population of 27,498 at
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#1732793931910492-992: Is home to the annual Summer Carnival that takes place over the Christmas and New Year holiday period. To the south of the city centre are the Timaru Botanic Gardens , first laid out in 1864, with a notable collection of roses and native tree ferns. To the west is the Centennial Park Reserve, opened in 1940, that includes a tranquil 3.5 km walkway following the wooded valley of the Otipua Creek. The DB Mainland Brewery in Sheffield Street offers tours and tasting sessions. The Caroline Bay Carnival, featuring live performances, games, and side shows, takes place from Boxing Day through to mid-January at Caroline Bay Park. Aoraki Tourism
533-760: Is part of the Rangitata electorate . Waitaki is regarded as a safe National seat, and Rangitata as a relatively safe seat for the same party, although the city of Timaru itself is seen as being a Labour stronghold. The seat of Waitaki is currently held by Jacqui Dean of the National Party, whilst the seat of Rangitata is held by Jo Luxton of the Labour Party. 44°30′S 171°00′E / 44.500°S 171.000°E / -44.500; 171.000 Timaru Timaru ( English: / ˈ t ɪ m ə r uː / ; Māori : Te Tihi-o-Maru )
574-509: Is the official tourism body for the whole Timaru District. The Theatre Royal at 118 Stafford Street was home of much of Timaru's live entertainment up to 2019, however it is currently closed for renovations. The South Canterbury Drama League hosts shows at the Playhouse. The Timaru District Library has branches situated in Timaru, Temuka and Geraldine. The first Reading Room was opened in
615-467: Is the seat of the Timaru District , which includes the surrounding rural area and the towns of Geraldine , Pleasant Point and Temuka , which combined have a total population of 50,100. Caroline Bay beach is a popular recreational area located close to Timaru's main centre, just to the north of the substantial port facilities. Beyond Caroline Bay, the industrial suburb of Washdyke is at
656-706: Is the valley of the Hakataramea River . The Hunter Hills are based on uplifted sediments including coal deposits with a greywacke basement. The uplift is related to the predominantly reverse Hunters Hills fault, which defines the south eastern border of the Cannington Basin. The two strand fault zone is not particularly active and has been mapped for 62 km (39 mi), with a slip rate of less than 1 mm (0.039 in)/year, an average displacement at events between 3–6 m (9.8–19.7 ft) that occur more than 10,000 years apart. Often
697-623: The 2018 New Zealand census , an increase of 1,236 people (4.7%) since the 2013 census , and an increase of 1,380 people (5.3%) since the 2006 census . There were 11,502 households, comprising 13,368 males and 14,133 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.95 males per female, with 4,758 people (17.3%) aged under 15 years, 4,893 (17.8%) aged 15 to 29, 11,709 (42.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 6,147 (22.4%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 89.2% European/ Pākehā , 9.3% Māori , 2.4% Pasifika , 5.2% Asian , and 1.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas
738-430: The Canterbury Plains . Timaru has a relatively dry temperate climate similar to that of neighbouring Ashburton and Christchurch , classified as oceanic climate (Cfb) by Köppen-Geiger climate classification system . Temperatures are warm in summer and mild in winter, with Timaru's extreme maximum temperature being 41.3 °C on 6 February 2011 and extreme minimum temperature of −9.1 °C on 3 August 1998. Rain
779-423: The Mackenzie Country to undulating lowland hills and the Canterbury Plains . Sheep farming is an important industry in the region, as is tourism. In recent years, much like neighbouring Mid Canterbury, there has been an increase in dairy farming, with the large Clandeboye Dairy Factory located north of Temuka. Hydroelectricity generation is a major industry in the southern and western part of South Canterbury, along
820-671: The South Island Main Trunk Railway runs through Timaru and is a significant freight corridor. Passenger rail services were discontinued after the cancellation of the Southerner in February 2002. Between 1949 and 1970, Timaru was serviced by the South Island Limited , one of the former New Zealand Railways Department 's most prestigious trains. Richard Pearse Airport is to the north of
861-523: The Caroline Bay district, an area which is still growing today. Timaru continued to expand during the 20th century, with much of the development taking the form of wooden colonial style bungalows set in individual sections of land. Sacred Heart Basilica was opened in 1911. Timaru is situated along the Pacific Ocean coast. Much of the hinterland is farmland. To the north and northeast are
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#1732793931910902-482: The E P Seally natural history collection, and information about Richard Pearse , a local inventor and his attempts at manned flight in the first years of the 20th century. The Aigantighe (a Scots Gaelic word pronounced "egg and tie") Art Gallery in Wai-iti Road is the South Island's third largest art museum. It holds a collection of New Zealand, Pacific, Asian and European art works from the sixteenth century to
943-551: The School House, Barnard Street in 1862. It was open daily from 5.00pm – 10.00pm and on Saturdays 10.00am – 8.00pm. English and Colonial Newspapers were provided and a selection of Library Books for the use by members. In 1870 the Mechanics Institute was created by an addition on an existing building and aimed to provide a Library, Reading Room and News Room. Timaru Public Library was officially opened in 1909 on
984-478: The catchment of the Waitaki River. South Canterbury's main urban area is Timaru (population 28,800), which is the second largest centre in the entire Canterbury Region. Other towns in South Canterbury include Temuka , Geraldine , Waimate , Pleasant Point , Fairlie , Twizel , Glenavy and Saint Andrews . South Canterbury's 2013 population was 55,623, about 9% of Canterbury's total population. At
1025-786: The chartered accountant and philanthropist established the failed finance company South Canterbury Finance and accounting firm Hubbard Churcher in Timaru and lived locally until his death in a car accident on 2 September 2011. In late September 2024, the Alliance Group proposed closing down its Smithfield meatworks plant, which would affect about 600 jobs. Following consultation, the Alliance Group confirmed in mid-October 2024 that it would close down its Smithfield meat processing plant in December 2024, citing declining sheep processing numbers caused by land-use changes. Retailing
1066-611: The district before 1400 AD. During the 17th or 18th century the resident Ngāti Mamoe were driven southwards into Fiordland by an invasion of the Ngāi Tahu , who came from the North Island. Te Runanga o Arowhenua is the hapu for Aoraki/Timaru District. Their marae is located just outside Temuka. European settlement began with the construction of a whaling station in 1839 by the Weller brothers of Otago at Patiti Point, close to
1107-439: The ecosystem after European settlement included pigs until the 1890s, rabbits by 1900 with their pest control by about 1912. Wallabies were introduced by the 1920s and were problematical by 1940s with a tendency to open out the native bush. Wallaby remain throughout the area and there are in the non farmed areas occasional goat, pig, red deer, fallow deer and chamois. Public conservation land used for hunting with permits exists on
1148-560: The local level, South Canterbury is administered by the Canterbury Regional Council and four District Councils: Timaru , Mackenzie , Waimate , and Waitaki , the latter of which also includes a portion of North Otago . At the national level, most of South Canterbury's rural area is covered, along with much of North Otago, by the Waitaki electorate . Timaru and the coastal strip to the north of it (including Temuka)
1189-488: The main thoroughfare, was formed along the early bullock wagon trail. Following the loss of a number of vessels off the coast, the breakwater design by Engineer John Goodall was adopted and work started on the redevelopment of the artificial port in 1877, which eventually caused sand washed south down the Pacific shoreline to build up against the northern mole. This was the beginning of the extensive land reclamation around
1230-514: The mountains. In general tussock grassland distribution and that of mixed podocarp forest community is situational. The later is related to damp conditions and shelter, including in some cases from the Foehn winds. As mentioned earlier at the time of the arrival of Europeans the mountains were known for their food hunting potential by the Māori. The original tussock grassland at the time of European settlement
1271-513: The north western slopes of the range from their northern end to beyond Mount Nimrod and in an area extending from Mount Blyth to Mount Shrives. There is scenic reserve land on the north eastern slopes of Mount Nimrod and at the Waimate end of the range. South Canterbury South Canterbury's geography covers a wide range of different terrains, from alpine slopes across the glacier carved lakes Tekapo and Pukaki and high country basin of
Hunters Hills - Misplaced Pages Continue
1312-445: The present Timaru District Council site. It was a Carnegie library , built with a 3,000 pound grant from Andrew Carnegie of New York – the condition under which the money was given was that the reading rooms should be open to everyone and that the lending Library should be free to ratepayers of the borough. The current library was opened on Sophia Street by the roundabout in 1979. It was designed by Miles, Warren and Mahoney. Timaru has
1353-548: The present day and includes a sculpture garden . The gallery was founded in 1956 and is housed in a homestead built in 1908. Timaru has with a number of open spaces, public gardens and parks. The Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden at Caroline Bay Park is a major feature of the Timaru Piazza development. The parkland of the Bay Area contains a mini golf course, a roller skating rink, a maze and staging for musical events. It
1394-555: The present town centre. A supply ship, The Caroline , provided the name for a local bay. Later a sheep station, known as The Levels , was set up on land obtained by the Rhodes brothers, and run by George Rhodes . One of the earliest settlers was Captain Henry Cain , who set up a store in 1857 on behalf of Henry Le Cren of Lyttelton , and Le Cren himself moved to Timaru in the following year. Few lived in Timaru until 1859 when
1435-450: The ship SS Strathallan arrived from England, carrying a party of 120 immigrants . Persistent land disputes arose between the Rhodes brothers and local government officials with the result that two townships were established in the port area, Government Town and Rhodestown. These eventually merged into a single community in 1868. Given this division, until recently none of the main north-south streets lined up. Stafford Street, which became
1476-674: The town. It is equipped to handle light aircraft and short haul domestic flights, with regular services to Wellington The "Timaru Link" bus service runs weekdays and the on demand bus service known as "MyWay" run daily. Timaru's water comes from the Pareora River and Ōpihi River , and is stored in the Claremont Reservoir. Timaru's water is treated with ozone and is chlorinated. Further information: List of schools in Canterbury, New Zealand The Timaru Herald
1517-490: The upper part of hills is obscured by cloud in the late afternoon due to easterly winds from the sea carrying moisture inland. The breeze tends to be off the mountains overnight. The weather pattern locally includes recurring strong drying nor-westerly Foehn winds . The area is part of the Canterbury–Otago tussock grasslands ecoregion. Tussock-grassland is dominant in the north east with tussock height being less higher up
1558-573: The years and holds the annual tour of Timaru. Timaru is on State Highway 1 (SH1), the main road route down the eastern coast of the South Island. There are regular coach and minibus services to Christchurch , Dunedin , Invercargill , Queenstown and the Mackenzie Country , leaving from outside the Visitor Information Centre, which provides booking facilities and other travel services. The Main South Line section of
1599-567: Was 13.8, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 47.8% had no religion, 40.9% were Christian , 0.3% had Māori religious beliefs , 0.9% were Hindu , 0.3% were Muslim , 0.3% were Buddhist and 1.8% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 2,892 (12.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 5,742 (25.3%) people had no formal qualifications. 2,979 people (13.1%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15
1640-442: Was dominated by a dense growth of flax, fern, scrub and coarse grasses. European sheep farming practices were introduced in the 1850s with the native tussock grassland being burnt off. Burn off was initially a common part of pastoral practice with a regular cycle being established and in place universally until the 1930s and it was noted in 1948 that continued burn off produced a quite different tussock ecosystem. Animal disturbance to
1681-616: Was that 10,791 (47.5%) people were employed full-time, 3,264 (14.4%) were part-time, and 648 (2.8%) were unemployed. The mayor of Timaru District is Nigel Bowen. Timaru is part of the parliamentary electorate of Rangitata , represented by James Meager of the New Zealand National Party . Jo Luxton is a local list MP in the electorate from the New Zealand Labour Party . Timaru District has established four sister city relationships. Timaru