TIMARU, a small port in New Zealand’s South Island, is preparing for its busiest season on record, despite the country’s ongoing struggles to attract ships (CW 28 Nov). Timaru is the only Kiwi port seeing an increase in cruise ship visits this summer, with 14 vessels set to dock in...
TIMARU, a small port in New Zealand’s South Island, is preparing for its busiest season on record, despite the country’s ongoing struggles to attract ships (CW 28 Nov).
Timaru is the only Kiwi port seeing an increase in cruise ship visits this summer, with 14 vessels set to dock in the city – six in Jan, six in Feb, and a final one in Mar.
Around 16,000 visitors and 7,500 crew are expected through the season, which kicked off last Fri with the arrival of Holland America Line’s 2,000-passenger ship, Noordam – the largest ship to ever call into Timaru.
According to Nigel Davenport, the Chief Executive Officer of Venture Timaru – the city’s tourism agency – the port’s compact scale and proximity to the CBD is what sets it apart.
“The passengers [have] got the ability to walk off the cruise ships and into town in five to 10 minutes,” he said.
“We are really friendly, we’ve got a great welcoming community – they love having the vibrancy of the passengers in town.”
Davenport pointed out the closeness to Mackenzie Country as an example of what is on offer for visitors.
“We’ve got great food, great sites, and unique things, like Te Ana Maori rock art – it’s the best example of Maori rock art in the country,” he said.
Cruise passengers spend around NZ$284 (A$249) per person in Timaru – a figure that the city is aiming to double this year, Davenport revealed.
The city is preparing to welcome its next ship, Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Explorer, on 07 Jan 2026, followed a day later by NCL’s Norwegian Spirit. JM
Pictured: Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady calling into Timaru during a previous season.
