We're in the heart of South Canterbury this morning on our summer road trip.

And we find ourselves in Timaru, which has been a golden light in the nation's economy, with data showing its growth is outpacing the national figure.

Plus tourism spending is on the up, with it topping $168 million to the year September 2022, up from $159 million the year before.

So what's the lure of Timaru?

The district's Mayor Nigel Bowen joined Tim Dower.

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