Venture Timaru

22/07/2026

Māia, Matatū! All the best for Saturday's final - our amazing Wāhine toa. We are with you all the way from all of us here at Venture Timaru. Matatū

22/07/2026

We spent time earlier this week with the newly appointed managers of the Timaru Ballantynes Department Store - Store Manager Jo Cockrane and Store Supervisor Brie Ashley.

Jo is a familiar face to many, having been part of Ballantynes for more than 20 years and supporting six store managers along the way. Her move into the Store Manager role is a natural next step for someone who knows the business, the team, and the customers so well.

Brie’s journey is equally worth celebrating. She first joined Ballantynes as a casual while still at school five years ago and has now stepped into the Store Supervisor role - a great example of the career pathways and leadership development happening within the business.

Their appointments bring fresh energy to a store with an incredible local legacy. Ballantynes Timaru was established in 1883 and remains one of the CBD’s landmark retailers, continuing to play an important role in our local retail landscape.

The famous Ballantynes sale begins this Friday, 24 July - which also happens to be World Self-Care Day — the perfect reason to pop in, treat yourself, and support a long-standing Timaru business.

Did you know? The Timaru branch was established in 1883 and moved to its present site in 1913, with new premises opening in 1986 and an extension into the first floor added in 2006.

Its history is closely connected to the people and architecture of the town, with the Stafford Street building designed by Messrs Clarkson and Ballantyne. Mr Clarkson was a son of the founders of Dunstable House (Christchurch Store), while Mr Ballantyne was a nephew of John Ballantyne (opened the Timaru store)

17/07/2026

Voting is now open for the ANZ People's Choice Award, the finalists would be incredibly grateful for your vote!

Vote here: https://southcanterbury.org.nz/peopleschoice/

Voting closes 7 August

15/07/2026

New Zealand's leading accommodation supplier and a proud local business - Vendella has built its reputation, and entered the Australian market, by designing fit-for-purpose products that help holiday parks, hotels and motels (accommodation providers) work more efficiently, improve guest experiences, and protect profitability.

Productivity is a current hot topic for many businesses navigating growth, but for Vendella, it has long been part of how they respond to what their customers need.

Tania Stoddart, our Business Development Manager, caught up with Luke and Wendy from Vendella to discuss how their focus on innovation, efficiency, and customer-led solutions has helped them create fit-for-purpose products that support productivity improvements and stronger profitability for their customers.

“What stands out about Vendella is that their innovation is grounded in understanding their customers and continuously improving how they deliver value. It demonstrates that world-class businesses do not need to be located in major centres to have a national and international impact.” Nigel Davenport, CEO, Venture Timaru
Vendella’s growth into Australia is a strong example of how South Canterbury companies are combining practical innovation, strong customer relationships, and operational excellence to compete successfully in larger markets.

We also want to congratulate the Vendella team on being nominated for the Holiday Parks NZ Trade Member of the Year Award. This nomination recognises their excellent customer service and their commitment to consistently delivering quality products on time, every time.

13/07/2026

We want to hear from you about the Caroline Bay Carnival!

Venture Timaru and the Caroline Bay Carnival Association are seeking feedback from our community about the Caroline Bay Carnival.

What do you love most and what would you like to see in the future? Your feedback will help shape the Carnival as it continues to grow and evolve.

Click the link below to share your thoughts and ideas.
surveymonkey.com/r/2026BayCarnivalFeedback

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

08/07/2026

Applications for the 2026 funding round are now open, for medium to large events taking place in Timaru District by 31 July 2027.

The funding is for grants between $10,000-$50,000 and is sourced from the Timaru District Council and administered by Venture Timaru. The annual portfolio of major events supported is a diverse range of events across the calendar year and the district, including a mix of arts, music, cultural and sporting events.

📅 Closing date for applications is 5pm on Thursday 20 August 2026.

See the full details and application form here www.vtdevelopment.co.nz/business/major-events-support-fund

03/07/2026

Another Timaru District business leading the way in innovation. 👊

01/07/2026

Meet Russell Brodie, a passionate aviator carrying on a family legacy that has spanned generations.

Russell is a member of our South Canterbury Aerospace Strategy Group and trains pilots at the Rangitata Island Aerodrome, the very airfield where his grandfather was South Canterbury's first pilot trainer.
Established in 1917, the aerodrome is still welcoming aircraft today, making it one of our region's enduring aviation landmarks.

Russell also volunteers with the South Canterbury Aviation Heritage Centre - Timaru, helping preserve planes, and share the stories of the people who laid the foundations for aviation in our region.

Last week we spent an hour with Russell at the Heritage Aviation Centre, learning about South Canterbury's remarkable aviation history.

✈️ Did you know?
On 6 March 1914, New Zealand's longest point-to-point flight took place between Timaru and Christchurch. Pilot James William Humphrys Scotland took off from Athletic Park (now Fraser Park), stopped briefly in Orari, and completed the journey in 2 hours and 5 minutes.

Along the way, he also made New Zealand's first airmail drop over Temuka. The letter famously read: "This will be the first aero post in New Zealand."

From pioneering flights to pilot training that continues more than a century later, South Canterbury has always been a region of innovators and firsts.
Thanks to people like Russell, that legacy continues to inspire the next generation as we build our aerospace future.

Inspired to become a pilot yourself?
Russell would love to hear from you.

23/06/2026

To mark World Women in Engineering Day, we’re celebrating Azaria’s ambition to start a career in engineering, and the support of Bleeker and Weith 2018 Ltd, that helped open the door.

Azaria knew she liked making things. She enjoyed working on projects with her dad at home and took practical courses such as woodwork at school. She knew her hands-on skills could transfer into an industry that has become a rewarding career path so far.

After meeting James at a careers expo hosted by Venture Timaru, Azaria took up work experience through Gateway while she was still at school. That opportunity helped lead to an apprenticeship and the beginning of her engineering career.

Her achievement is worth celebrating. Choosing a trade, stepping into a workplace, learning from experienced people and committing to a career path takes confidence, determination and the right support around you.

Azaria’s story shows young people, and particularly young women considering engineering, that there are meaningful career opportunities available right here in the Timaru District.

It also highlights the important role local employers play in creating those pathways. Employers like Bleeker & Weith invest in people at different ages and stages, providing practical experience, mentorship and a workplace culture where capability and commitment matter.

As James put it, “We don’t have diversity here. We have engineers.” It is a simple but meaningful reflection of a team culture where people are valued for the contribution they make, the skills they bring and the potential they have, to grow.

Tania Stoddart, Business Development Manager at Venture Timaru, says, “I’ve met with James on numerous occasions to discuss working life at Bleeker & Weith, and I love his saying that his team are ‘there for the weekends’. It is a great acknowledgement of the importance of work-life balance, and of providing opportunities that support people’s lives outside of work. People value the opportunity to succeed in work and in life. It’s a simple statement, but one that holds a lot of value.”

Timaru District is a place where people can succeed, not just because of the opportunities available, but because of the businesses and employers who are willing to support, train and back local talent.

Congratulations Azaria! Your story is an inspiration to others thinking about where their own pathway could lead.

Thank you, both, for taking time out of your busy day to celebrate