South Canterbury
The South Canterbury district is an area of stunning beauty with great lifestyle opportunities, a safe and welcoming family-friendly environment, affordable living, excellent educational opportunities and a wide range of cultural and sporting facilities.

Te Whatu Ora | South Canterbury
Te Whatu Ora South Canterbury is among the most significant employers in the region, with approximately 1,000 individuals employed in various fields.
Te Whatu Ora South Canterbury is responsible for a wide range of health-related services, and a significant portion of their budget is allocated to primary health and disability support services. The remaining half of their budget is dedicated to funding secondary-level hospital services, including mental health, which are available at the Timaru Hospital & Community Services. The hospital has a total of 131 in-patient beds, and approximately 1000 staff are employed across the service.
The South Canterbury Region
The main city in South Canterbury is Timaru, which is situated on the coast and in close proximity to the mountains. The city's location provides a great work-life balance for residents. Additionally, Timaru boasts Caroline Bay, which is a popular attraction in the area.
The South Canterbury region is located in the central-eastern part of the South Island of Aotearoa New Zealand. The region is bordered by the Canterbury region to the north, Otago region to the south, and the Southern Alps to the west.

Timaru Hospital and Kensington Centre
Timaru Hospital
Timaru Hospital is a secondary-level hospital which provides a range of medical services, including surgical, medical, obstetric, and pediatric care, and has 131 in-patient beds. The hospital also offers mental health services, including acute and community-based care.
The hospital is equipped with modern facilities and advanced medical equipment to ensure that patients receive the best possible care.
In addition to its in-patient services, Timaru Hospital also provides outpatient services, such as specialist clinics, diagnostic services, and rehabilitation services. The hospital is committed to providing high-quality healthcare services to the people of South Canterbury and surrounding regions.
Kensington Centre
The Kensington Centre provides a wide range of primary healthcare services, including medical consultations, vaccinations, health checks, and screenings. It also offers a range of specialised services, such as diabetic clinics, mental health services, and chronic disease management programs.
In addition to its healthcare services, the Kensington Centre also has a range of other facilities, including a pharmacy, café, and a community meeting room. The center is committed to providing the highest quality healthcare services to the people of South Canterbury and surrounding regions.

Hospital Services
Here's a list of medical services and specialties offered in South Canterbury
Services A to M
Anaesthesia |
Assessment, Treatment and Rehabilitation |
Audiology (Hearing) |
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) |
Bowel Screening Programme |
Cardiology |
Child Development |
Diabetes |
Dietetics and Nutrition |
District Nursing |
Endoscopy |
General Medicine |
General Practice |
General Surgery |
Health of Older Persons |
ICATT (integrated community assessment treatment team) |
Immunisation |
Laboratory |
Maternity and Newborn |
Medical Investigations Unit |
Mental Health and Addictions |
Services N to Z
Needs Assessment Service Coordination (NASC) |
Occupational Therapy |
Oncology (Cancer Care) |
Ophthalmology (Eyes) |
Orthotics |
Orthopaedics (Bones, Joints, Muscles) |
Palliative Care |
Pharmacy |
Physiotherapy |
Radiology |
Cardio / Respiratory |
Rheumatology |
Sexual Abuse Assessment and Treatment |
Sexual health |
Smokefree - South Canterbury Stop Smoking Services |
Stroke Services |
Social Work Services |
Speech Language Therapy |
Well Child Tamariki Ora |
Women's health (Gynaecology) |
Local Information
Rental agencies |
For short-term stays |
Getting around
- MyWay by Metro is the on-demand public transport service in Timaru. Available Monday to Friday 6.30am to 7pm. Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 8am – 6pm.
- Taxis and rideshare service Uber are also available in Timaru as well as several rental vehicle options.
- There are various cycle tracks for cycling enthusiasts in the Timaru District.
Video credit: Urban by Venture Timaru


Relocating to South Canterbury
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