It’s World Productivity Day and Timaru District has plenty to celebrate!
Our economy is powered by high-performing agriculture, manufacturing and construction sectors that outperform national productivity benchmarks. Together, these industries account for 39% of our districts GDP and provide a strong platform for sustainable economic growth
Key productivity measures highlight the strength of our local economy:
- Agriculture: $204,490 GDP per filled job — $49,724 above the New Zealand average.
- Manufacturing: $154,872 GDP per filled job — $19,547 above the national average.
- Construction: $108,933 GDP per filled job — $10,022 above the national average.
These outcomes showcase the capability of our workforce, the commitment of local businesses and a culture that values innovation, practical problem-solving and continuous improvement.
“These numbers tell a compelling story about what our district does well. Our farmers, manufacturers and construction businesses aren’t just productive by local standards — they’re outperforming the country. That’s something we should be proud of and build on.” Nigel Davenport, Chief Executive, Venture Timaru
As labour markets evolve and the demand for higher-skilled employment grows, productivity will increasingly be driven by the adoption of automation, technology and innovation. Encouragingly, businesses across our district are already investing in new systems, smarter processes and future-focused solutions that strengthen resilience and unlock higher-value opportunities.
“The districts that will thrive over the next decade are those investing now in smarter tools and more efficient processes. We’re seeing that mindset across South Canterbury — businesses that aren’t waiting for change, they’re leading it.” said Davenport.
Today we recognise the businesses, workers and industry leaders whose commitment to productivity continues to strengthen our district and create new opportunities.
A great local example of innovation and productivity in action is ProVision, a South Canterbury-based UAV solutions company applying drone technology across agriculture, conservation and specialist aerial operations.
“ProVision is a fantastic example of the kind of innovation happening right here in our district. Khan and his team are applying technology in genuinely practical ways that lift productivity across agriculture and beyond — and that’s exactly the future-focused thinking that sets South Canterbury apart.” States Davenport.
Their work shows how smarter tools can lift productivity on the ground – supporting more efficient pest management, monitoring, spraying, spreading, mapping and heavy-lifting applications in challenging environments.
For our district, these kinds of practical, technology-led solutions have flow-on benefits well beyond one sector. They help strengthen agricultural performance, support safer and more sustainable land management, and contribute to the highly productive, resilient and future-focused economy we are celebrating today.
Click here to see Khan Adam and the ProVision team in action on You Tube
