Interested in moving to Timaru?
All about Timaru
Timaru is a port city in the southern Canterbury region of New Zealand, located 157 km (98 mi) southwest of Christchurchand about 196 km (122 mi) northeast of Dunedin on the eastern Pacific coast of the South Island. The Timaru urban area is home to 28,600 people, and is the largest urban area in South Canterbury, and the second largest in the Canterbury Region overall, after Christchurch. The town 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 48,400.
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 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, 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.
Purchasing Property in Timaru?
Early Settlements of Timaru
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 ti, 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 Opihi river valleys, to the west of modern-day Timaru. Archaeologists have suggested that Māori iwi (tribes) were permanently settled in 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.
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More History of Timaru
European settlement began with the construction of a whaling station in 1839 by the Weller brothers of Otago at Patiti Point, close to 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 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 the main thoroughfare, was formed along the early bullock wagon trail.
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Financing we can help with
Why work with us
We are owner operated and not aligned with any lenders
We work with you to customise your loan so it best matches your goals, and to save you time and money.
01
We have extensive experience
We all have over 10 years’ experience in banking and we understand the industry. We specialise in both residential and commercial financial advice.
02
We build relationships
We pride ourselves on building relationships with our customers and with our lenders to provide a more customised and personal experience.
03
Why work with us
We are owner-operated and are not aligned with any lenders
01
We have extensive experience in residential and commercial finance
02
We build relationships to provide a more customised and personal experience
03
Some of the banks & lenders we work with:
Correct as of May 2023
Custom Mortgages
Custom Mortgages is run by seven Central Otago mates – all bankers and each with over 10 years experience in the industry. The team understands and knows the local commercial, mortgage, and housing landscapes. With this experience, they can help you find a tailored, custom solution.
No two purchases, projects or businesses are the same, so why should your financing arrangements be?
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Custom Mortgages
Custom Mortgages is run by seven Central Otago mates – all bankers and each with over 10 years experience in the industry. The team understands and knows the local commercial, mortgage, and housing landscapes. With this experience, they can help you find a tailored, custom solution.
No two purchases, projects or businesses are the same, so why should your financing arrangements be?
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