When Andrew Geddes returned to New Zealand after nine years overseas, he chose to come home to Timaru to grow a business in a place that offered both opportunity and quality of life. His story reflects what we know to be true about our district — Timaru is a place where ambition, innovation and lifestyle can work side by side.
After leaving high school, Andrew completed an engineering course at Ara. He speaks positively about the opportunities within the trade, encouraging young people to gain experience across a range of engineering businesses and disciplines. For Andrew, engineering has always been about solving problems, identifying opportunity and creating practical value.
That mindset underpins Machinecraft, the engineering business Andrew acquired when it was operating out of a shed at home, before steadily growing it into a company serving a broad range of sectors. Through investment in precision engineering and CNC machinery, Andrew expanded the business’s capability and helped strengthen Timaru’s wider engineering offering. Today, Machinecraft services a diverse client base, from established regional industries to major manufacturers and specialist projects, showing how a Timaru-based business can innovate, grow and compete across multiple markets.
For Andrew and his family, choosing where to settle after returning from overseas came down to more than just work. They wanted access to hunting, fishing, surfing, water sports and, most importantly, the ability to spend meaningful time together as a family. When weighing up Christchurch and Timaru, it was Timaru that stood out.
That is because Timaru offers what many businesses and families are looking for: accessibility, balance and room to thrive. Here, the commute is measured in minutes rather than hours, making it easy to move between work, school, the bay and the town centre. That convenience creates something increasingly valuable — time. Time to grow a business, time to be present for family, and time to enjoy the lifestyle that makes our district distinctive.
For the Geddes family, that lifestyle is part of everyday life. With two children, weekends are often spent exploring the district and making the most of what is close at hand. Hunting is within easy reach, the ski slopes are about an hour away, and fishing, motorbiking, surfing and other outdoor pursuits are all part of the rhythm of life here.
There is also a strong sense of connection in returning home. Andrew reflects on growing up with the Caroline Bay Carnival as a familiar part of summer — something he now gets to share with his own children. That connection between community and family, is part of what makes Timaru special.
Machinecraft’s success reflects both the diversity of Timaru’s industrial base and the global reach that a business can achieve from here. The company supports traditional sectors that are important to our district, while also contributing to projects beyond New Zealand. From specialist components for the Australian mining sector to engineered prototypes for advanced applications, Machinecraft shows that Timaru businesses can compete in diverse markets.
Andrew’s story is a strong example of what the Timaru District offers. It is a place where business growth can sit alongside family priorities, where innovation thrives, and where an active outdoor lifestyle is part of everyday life. For Andrew and his family, Timaru is the place that gives them the life they want to live.
