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.

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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.

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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.

Two nurses with toddler landscape

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)
Timaru Urban by Venture Timaru

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

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Relocating to South Canterbury

Need some help with settling in? Use our settlement booklet as a handy guide to refer back to any time so you can feel right at home in Aotearoa in no time. 

Download the settlement booklet

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Made the decision to move to Aotearoa, New Zealand? Fill out our five-minute form with your details, and we'll match you to your preferred location based on your experience and preferences.

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