Timaru

Timaru is located on the East Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is the commercial centre of the South Canterbury region. The nearest major cities are Christchurch, situated 160 kilometres to the North, and Dunedin, 205 kilometres southwards. The economy of the city is dependent mostly on farming, secondary industry and the Port of Timaru. The population is just under 30,000 residents.

Timaru, taken from the Maori name Te Maru (meaning "The Place of Shelter"), was originally inhabited by Maori moa hunters and became home to the Rapuwai tribe and, later, the Ngati Mamoe who were eventually driven South by the Ngai Tahu people in the 17th century.

The area was first settled by Europeans during the 1830s, with whalers finding shelter in the natural harbour that would eventually be named Caroline Bay. Permanent settlements were established in the 1850s. Timaru was awarded City Status in 1948.

The South Canterbury region is gifted with much sought after tourist spots including Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest peak, and many beautiful lakes and waterways.

Click here to download a site plan of Craighead Diocesan School.