Aoraki - South Canterbury is an exciting, progressive region for business. Easy access to national and international markets through the Port of Timaru, Prime Port Timaru gives businesses an edge for commercial success over other New Zealand provincial cities. The Aoraki region with a land area of 13,623 square kilometres, has a population of 53,540.

Geographically, Aoraki is located in the middle of the South Island on the east coast, two hours drive south of Christchurch, and two hours drive north of Dunedin. Aoraki is comprised of three districts: Timaru, Mackenzie and Waimate District. Timaru is ideally placed for manufacturing, processing and distributing goods worldwide with a deep water port, air services to New Zealands capital city Wellington, and excellent road and rail networks travelling, north, south and inland.

Traditionally, farming has been the backbone to Aoraki. As more businesses take advantage of the very competitive operational rates, proximity to export markets and lifestyle, successful industrial, manufacturing, textile, financial, aqua, horticultural and agricultural businesses can all be found in Aoraki. Timaru is also South Canterburys major retailing centre with national chains and local boutiques.

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Murray Cleverley Chief Executive Officer - Aoraki Development Trust and   South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce Welcome to Aoraki South Canterbury in the heart of New Zealand's South Island. This is a progressive, stable and strategically placed region that can provide an ideal location for your business.  An impressive number of highly successful enterprises are already based here and we welcome new arrivals. Living and working in the Aoraki Region enables you to achieve a balance in your life and the life of your family that is only available in some special locations in the world. Aoraki is such a place and we welcome you and your family to locate your business or bring your skills to Aoraki, a place we just call home. Our organization, the Aoraki Development Trust, is a key player in the region.  Our aims are to grow, attract and sustain economic activity in the region, working to a simple philosophy: "Your success is our success". The trust can help you either expand your business network in our region or assist you in relocating or establishing a new enterprise here.  By becoming part of your establishment team, we can provide practical advice on setting up business in the region, statistics, information on trends; land availability and facilitate the establishment of business networks.  And, this extensive, comprehensive and professional service is free. We are a well-resourced region, with an excellent infrastructure and skilled, professional people.  We welcome your inquiries.

If you are considering expanding your business or establishing a new enterprise, we’d like you to think very seriously about considering our region as your new home.

An increasing number of individuals and businesses alike are realizing that what we have in Aoraki-South Canterbury is a unique combination of business-friendly factors such as reasonably priced land and services and quality infrastructure, together with outstanding lifestyle qualities.  Home prices offer excellent value, traffic congestion is a foreign concept and we have a superb natural environment from the Pacific Ocean coast to the highest mountains in the country.  There are unpolluted lakes, rivers stocked with fish, and towns that pride themselves on their public parks and walkways.

We have an impressive array of educational health, recreational and sporting facilities.  But, what sets us apart from large centres is the real sense of community throughout the region.  As a result crime rates are low but quality of life is high!

As the district mayors, we are proud of Aoraki South Canterbury and our councils fully support the Aoraki Development Trust’s work to promote the regions business development.  Our districts have business-friendly policies and we are enthusiastic about welcoming new arrivals so that together we can see Aoraki South Canterbury thrive.