---
entity_id: city:nz:statsnz_ur2023:2161
entity_type: city
name: Timaru
country_code: NZ
country: New Zealand
slug: timaru
canonical_url: https://immigrationdb.com/cities/nz/timaru/
json_url: https://immigrationdb.com/data/cities/nz/timaru.json
markdown_url: https://immigrationdb.com/data/cities/nz/timaru.md
mcp_uri: immigrationdb://city/nz/timaru
snapshot_id: approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0
generated_at: 2026-09-12
last_verified: 2026-09-06
fact_count: 13
language_location_count: 1
employment_location_count: 0
city_intent_block_count: 1
usefulness_tier: answer_linked
indexable: true
metric_dictionary_url: https://immigrationdb.com/data/metrics.json
license_url: https://immigrationdb.com/about/copyright/
citation_schema: immigrationdb-citation-v1
citation_canonical_url: https://immigrationdb.com/cities/nz/timaru/
citation_title: "Timaru, New Zealand: jobs, air quality"
citation_author: ImmigrationDB
citation_publisher: ImmigrationDB
citation_snapshot_id: approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0
citation_version: approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0
citation_retrieval_date: 2026-09-12
citation_build_date: 2026-09-12
citation_license_url: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
---

# Timaru

Timaru had 28,095 residents in March 2023 and is a city in New Zealand. The city covers 33.98 km², with a population density of 872.5 people per km² in March 2023.

## Answers

Deterministic answers rendered from this page's published values. The JSON twin carries the machine-readable answer objects.

### How many people live in Timaru?

The published population was 28,095 people in March 2023.

- City-scope resident count. Density, foreign-resident counts and the country-wide figure are separate rows in the table below.
- Value: 28,095 people · Period: March 2023
- Claims: claim-8a61a9934980
### Is the air quality good in Timaru?

The annual PM2.5 mean is 15 µg/m³ (2012) — above the WHO 2021 guideline of 5 µg/m³ but within the EU limit of 25 µg/m³.

- Annual mean at the measuring site(s) serving the city; current-day readings differ.
- Value: 15 µg/m³ · Period: 2012
- Claims: claim-1c7f9167ac7b
### What is the unemployment rate in Timaru?

The unemployment rate is 2.8 % (2023).

- Value: 2.8 % · Period: 2023
- Claims: claim-6efc4fc8ad3b
## Facts

| Metric | metric_id | Value | Scope | Observed | Verified | Freshness | Lane | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Foreign residents | `foreign_population_total` | 7,608 people | city | 2023-12-31 | 2026-08-03 | stale | verified | [1] |
| Population | `population_total` | 28,095 people | city | 2023-03-07 | 2026-08-13 | stale | verified | [2] |
| Unemployment rate | `unemployment_total_percent` | 2.8 % | city | 2023-12-31 | 2026-08-03 | stale | verified | [1] |
| PM2.5 — annual mean | `air_quality_pm25_annual_ug_m3` | 15 µg/m³ | city | 2012-12-31 | 2026-08-26 | stale | verified | [3] |
| Climate Monthly Extreme High C | `climate_monthly_extreme_high_c` | Jan 27.71 · Feb 27.53 · Mar 27.15 · Apr 21.51 · May 20.06 · Jun 15.23 · Jul 14.92 · Aug 16.17 · Sep 18.57 · Oct 22.44 · Nov 25.23 · Dec 26.82 °C | city | 2001-12-31 | 2026-08-03 | stale | verified | [4] |
| Climate Monthly Extreme Low C | `climate_monthly_extreme_low_c` | Jan 7.73 · Feb 7.59 · Mar 6.84 · Apr 4.64 · May 2.99 · Jun 0.74 · Jul 0.73 · Aug -1 · Sep 2.83 · Oct 3.25 · Nov 4.56 · Dec 6.2 °C | city | 2001-12-31 | 2026-08-03 | stale | verified | [4] |
| Average temperature by month | `climate_monthly_mean_c` | Jan 15.77 · Feb 15.74 · Mar 14.57 · Apr 12.25 · May 9.91 · Jun 7.57 · Jul 6.9 · Aug 7.62 · Sep 9.2 · Oct 10.63 · Nov 12.57 · Dec 14.5 °C | city | 2001-12-31 | 2026-08-03 | stale | verified | [4] |
| City area | `city_area_km2` | 33.98 km² | city | 2023-01-01 | 2026-07-15 | stale | verified | [5] |
| Foreign-resident share | `foreign_population_share_percent` | 16 % | city | 2023-12-31 | 2026-08-03 | stale | verified | [1] |
| Population density | `population_density_per_km2` | 872.5 people/km² | city | 2023-03-07 | 2026-07-15 | stale | verified | [6] |
| Destinations from nearest airport | `nearest_airport_destinations_count` | 1 count | city | 2026-08-03 | 2026-08-03 | fresh | verified | [7] |
| Nearest airport | `nearest_airport_iata` | TIU | city | 2026-08-03 | 2026-08-03 | fresh | verified | [8] |
| Distance to nearest airport | `nearest_airport_km` | 11 km | city | 2026-08-03 | 2026-08-03 | fresh | verified | [8] |

Every row keeps the value, unit, geographic scope, observation date, verification date and the numbered source below. A missing metric means the city does not publish it; nothing is imputed.

## Language courses and integration

- [Timaru](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/our-strategies-and-programmes/supporting-refugees-and-asylum-seekers/welcoming-communities/immigration-new-zealand-leads-welcoming-communities/) · checked 2026-08-10

Only exact city-linked records are listed; this is not a complete directory of every language school in the city. Provider-supplied records stay separate from government-verified services.

## Public employment service

- [Work and Income employment service](https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/) — Job Search

This is a country-level service, not proof of a physical office in this city.

## Healthcare access

Migrants can receive medical care in Timaru when the country-wide insurance or residence conditions are met. City capacity facts do not determine personal eligibility.

- Public healthcare access for foreign residents: Conditional — [official source](https://www.healthnz.govt.nz/hospitals-services/eligibility-subsidies/publicly-funded-healthcare)

## Country-wide rules

Visa, benefit, tax and healthcare eligibility rules are published on the [New Zealand country page](https://immigrationdb.com/countries/new-zealand/).

## International community

Citizenship, country of birth, language and ancestry are kept as separate source-native dimensions.

### Country of birth

- Australia: 453 (1.6%)
- Pacific Islands: 732 (2.6%)
- United Kingdom and Ireland: 1,032 (3.7%)
- Europe (excl United Kingdom and Ireland): 255 (0.9%)
- North America: 144 (0.5%)
- Asia: 1,512 (5.4%)
- Middle East and Africa: 672 (2.4%)
- Other: 72 (0.3%)
- Population universe: Census usually resident population count for the 2023 Census place-summary geography
- Period: 2023 Census
- Source: https://tools.summaries.stats.govt.nz/api/export-zip/5001

### Ancestry or ethnicity

- European: 23,880 (85.0%)
- Māori: 3,039 (10.8%)
- Pacific Peoples: 1,317 (4.7%)
- Asian: 2,022 (7.2%)
- Middle Eastern/Latin American/African: 264 (0.9%)
- Other Ethnicity: 348 (1.2%)
- Population universe: Census usually resident population count for the 2023 Census place-summary geography
- Period: 2023 Census
- Source: https://tools.summaries.stats.govt.nz/api/export-zip/5001

### Ancestry or ethnicity

- European nfd: 69 (0.2%)
- New Zealand European: 22,731 (80.9%)
- Other European: 1,356 (4.8%)
- Māori: 3,039 (10.8%)
- Pacific Peoples nfd: 12 (0.0%)
- Samoan: 585 (2.1%)
- Cook Islands Maori: 117 (0.4%)
- Tongan: 402 (1.4%)
- Niuean: 27 (0.1%)
- Tokelauan: 39 (0.1%)
- Fijian: 135 (0.5%)
- Other Pacific Peoples: 93 (0.3%)
- Asian nfd: 60 (0.2%)
- Southeast Asian: 648 (2.3%)
- Chinese: 390 (1.4%)
- Indian: 702 (2.5%)
- Other Asian: 246 (0.9%)
- Middle Eastern: 105 (0.4%)
- Latin American: 93 (0.3%)
- African: 66 (0.2%)
- Other Ethnicity: 348 (1.2%)
- Population universe: Census usually resident population count for the 2023 Census place-summary geography
- Period: 2023 Census
- Source: https://tools.summaries.stats.govt.nz/api/export-zip/5001

## Sources

1. Stats NZ — Official source — https://tools.summaries.stats.govt.nz/places/ta/timaru-district
2. Stats NZ Urban Rural 2023 place summaries — Census population — Official source — https://tools.summaries.stats.govt.nz/places/UR
3. cdn.who.int — Official source — https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/air-pollution-documents/air-quality-and-health/who_ambient_air_quality_database_version_2024_%28v6.1%29.xlsx?download=true&sfvrsn=c504c0cd_3
4. NASA POWER / NASA Langley Research Center — Official source — https://power.larc.nasa.gov/api/temporal/climatology/point?parameters=T2M%2CT2M_MAX%2CT2M_MIN&community=SB&longitude=171.253640&latitude=-44.396720&format=JSON
5. Official Stats NZ Urban-rural 2023 area for the exact UR2023 urban-area code. AREA_SQ_KM is the clipped official geography used here; no territorial-authority or SA observation is substituted. — Official source — https://services2.arcgis.com/vKb0s8tBIA3bdocZ/ArcGIS/rest/services/UR2023/FeatureServer/0/query?where=UR2023_V1_00%20IN%20('1007'%2C'1025'%2C'1026'%2C'1043'%2C'1055'%2C'1071'%2C'1094'%2C'1121'%2C'1125'%2C'1134'%2C'1142'%2C'1153'%2C'1157'%2C'1159'%2C'1160'%2C'1166'%2C'1169'%2C'1173'%2C'1174'%2C'1179'%2C'1180'%2C'1186'%2C'1187'%2C'1197'%2C'1199'%2C'1204'%2C'1215'%2C'1226'%2C'1229'%2C'1234'%2C'1242'%2C'1246'%2C'1257'%2C'1263'%2C'1266'%2C'1283'%2C'1288'%2C'1292'%2C'1296'%2C'1302'%2C'1308'%2C'1313'%2C'1316'%2C'1324'%2C'1331'%2C'1342'%2C'1347'%2C'1357'%2C'1364'%2C'1369'%2C'1381'%2C'1389'%2C'1390'%2C'1391'%2C'1394'%2C'1398'%2C'1403'%2C'1406'%2C'2010'%2C'2020'%2C'2042'%2C'2051'%2C'2058'%2C'2096'%2C'2102'%2C'2106'%2C'2134'%2C'2135'%2C'2139'%2C'2148'%2C'2158'%2C'2161'%2C'2187'%2C'2195'%2C'2200'%2C'2212'%2C'2217'%2C'2229'%2C'2243'%2C'2275'%2C'2278')&outFields=UR2023_V1_00%2CUR2023_V1_00_NAME%2CUR2023_V1_00_NAME_ASCII%2CLAND_AREA_SQ_KM%2CAREA_SQ_KM%2CShape__Area&returnGeometry=true&outSR=2193&geometryPrecision=2&f=geojson
6. Reproducible exact-UR2023 density using the existing official Stats NZ population denominator and the exact official UR2023 area. No observation geography is promoted. — Official source — https://services2.arcgis.com/vKb0s8tBIA3bdocZ/arcgis/rest/services/2023_Census_totals_by_topic_for_individuals_by_SA1/FeatureServer/0/query
7. OpenFlights — Official source — https://raw.githubusercontent.com/jpatokal/openflights/master/data/routes.dat
8. OurAirports — Official source — https://davidmegginson.github.io/ourairports-data/airports.csv

## Cite

This citation identifies the ImmigrationDB compilation/page. Underlying source publishers and datasets retain their own terms; inspect the Sources section and cite those records separately.

### APA

ImmigrationDB. (2026, September 12). Timaru, New Zealand: jobs, air quality [ImmigrationDB compilation; snapshot approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0; version approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0]. ImmigrationDB. https://immigrationdb.com/cities/nz/timaru/ Retrieved 2026-09-12. Compilation license: CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

### BibTeX

```bibtex
@misc{immigrationdb_immigrationdb_timaru-new-zealand-jobs-air-quality_0f99371dcf3e,
  author = {ImmigrationDB},
  title = {Timaru, New Zealand: jobs, air quality},
  publisher = {ImmigrationDB},
  year = {2026},
  date = {2026-09-12},
  version = {approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0},
  snapshot = {approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0},
  url = {https://immigrationdb.com/cities/nz/timaru/},
  note = {Retrieved 2026-09-12. ImmigrationDB compilation. Compilation license: CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/},
}
```

### Markdown

[Timaru, New Zealand: jobs, air quality](https://immigrationdb.com/cities/nz/timaru/) — ImmigrationDB; ImmigrationDB; snapshot approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0; version approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0; retrieved 2026-09-12; built 2026-09-12.

- Citation schema: `immigrationdb-citation-v1`
- Canonical URL: https://immigrationdb.com/cities/nz/timaru/
- Title: Timaru, New Zealand: jobs, air quality
- Author: ImmigrationDB
- Publisher: ImmigrationDB
- Snapshot: `approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0`
- Version: `approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0`
- Retrieved: 2026-09-12
- Built: 2026-09-12
- Compilation license: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

## Data

- HTML: https://immigrationdb.com/cities/nz/timaru/
- JSON: https://immigrationdb.com/data/cities/nz/timaru.json
- Markdown: https://immigrationdb.com/data/cities/nz/timaru.md
- MCP resource: immigrationdb://city/nz/timaru
- Metric dictionary: https://immigrationdb.com/data/metrics.json
- City shard index: https://immigrationdb.com/data/cities/index.json
- Release catalog: https://immigrationdb.com/data/catalog.json