The Timaru District, a territorial authority over 42,000 people in and around the former Timaru City includes a prosperous agricultural hinterland with links to smaller rural communities. Timaru is a major port in the southern Canterbury region of New Zealand, located 160 kilometers southwest of Christchurch and about 200 kilometers northeast of Dunedin on the eastern Pacific coast of the South Island. Within the gentle curve of the South Canterbury coastline the Timaru District covers 2,602 square kilometers of diverse landscape. The Timaru urban area is the second largest city in the Canterbury Region, after Christchurch. Timaru is the sister city of Weihai. The current mayor of Timaru is Damon Odey.

The name Timaru is taken from the Maori " Te Maru", meaning " The Place of shelter". It could also be a derivation of "Ti Maru"' the Sheltered Place of The Cabbage Tree" because of the abundance of Cabbage trees in the vicinity. The first recorded history of South Canterbury began in March 1839 when a group of whalers landed at Timaru. Although these whalers were the first Europeans to visit the area, it wasn't until 1851 that George and Robert Rhodes established a run at the southern limits of the Canterbury Plains.

Timaru is an agricultural service town and port for the South Canterbury regional economy. The temperate climate is conducive to the growing of all kinds of produce - from apples and berry fruits to asparagus, carrots, peas and pumpkin. A huge variety of flowers, including Calla lilies and peony roses are grown for both the domestic and export markets. Timaru is strategically and centrally located on major transport arteries. Its airport and port facilities are provided as the natural distribution point for South Island exports/ imports. Timaru is one of the major cargo ports of the South Island, with a number of light manufacturing plants associated with the export and import trade. Many of these producers are concerned with processing, packing, and distributing meat, dairy and other agricultural produce. Timaru is also the second largest fishing port in New Zealand.

Timaru District sits at the doorstep of many inland lakes where sailing, water skiing, boating, windsurfing and fishing are popular summer pastimes. At least five Central South Island ski fields are within easy distance. The South Canterbury Museum is the main museum for the region, the Aigantighe (a Scots Gaelic word pronounced "egg and tie") Art Gallery in Wai-iti Road is the South Island’s third largest art museum.