Timaru is a port city located in the southern Canterbury region on the eastern Pacific coast of New Zealand's South Island. It is situated approximately 157 km southwest of Christchurch and 196 km northeast of Dunedin.
The urban area of Timaru has a population of 29,300 people, making it the largest settlement in South Canterbury and the third-largest in the Canterbury Region overall. The city serves as the seat of the Timaru District, which encompasses the surrounding rural areas and several nearby towns, including Geraldine, Pleasant Point, and Temuka.