Last updated October 2026
Kensington is a compact residential suburb of Timaru in South Canterbury, New Zealand. It lies immediately south of the city centre. Most housing dates from the 1950s, although some homes were built as early as the 1880s. Its small size and central location give it a quiet neighbourhood character while remaining close to Timaru’s main amenities.
Official Suburb Facts
- Population (2023 Census)
- About 1,420, up 4% since 2018
- Land area
- 1.52 km²
- Location
- 1.8 km south of central Timaru
- Council
- Timaru District Council
- Neighbouring suburbs
- Parkside, Redruth, Fairview, Watlington
Kensington at a Glance
- Ward or local board
- Timaru Ward (Timaru District Council)
- Main shopping
- Stafford Street commercial area in central Timaru, immediately to the north
Who Lives in Kensington
About 1,420 residents in 620 households. From the 2023 Census, with the New Zealand figure alongside for comparison.
Schools in Kensington
There is no school inside the Kensington boundary, but these schools have enrolment zones that cover some or all of it.
Zoned for Kensington
Show all 4 zoned schools
Zones change, so confirm with the school before relying on one.
Bin Day in Kensington
by 6am on collection day
Streets near a suburb edge can differ, so check the council lookup if unsure.
Streets in Kensington
26 streets are in Kensington. Search any street in Timaru to see which suburb it is in.
Show all 26 streets in Kensington
- A
- Accessway
- Anchorage Place
- Angland Avenue
- B
- Bowker Street
- Brenda Street
- C
- Cambridge Street
- Cemetery Hill
- Collins Street
- Coopers Lane
- Craigie Avenue
- D
- Domain Avenue
- F
- Flinders Street
- H
- Hawkey Street
- Hertford Street
- High Street
- J
- James Street
- K
- Keith Street
- King Street
- M
- Marston Road
- O
- Otipua Road
- P
- Patiti Street
- R
- Richards Place
- Royal Street
- S
- South Street
- T
- Taylor Street
- W
- Wallace Street
A long road is listed in each suburb it runs through.
Safety and Hazards
Higher than the Timaru average for the number of people who live here. Busy beaches, town centres and nightlife draw lots of visitors, which lifts the figure. Another 3 reports were at shops and businesses.
Weather and Rent at a Glance
Weather is city-wide; rent is for this suburb.
In Kensington
Places and businesses inside the official Kensington boundary.
Places
About Kensington
Kensington is a compact, established residential suburb close to the centre of Timaru.
Kensington is a compact, established residential suburb close to the centre of Timaru. Its relatively small footprint gives it a neighbourhood feel, with much of the housing stock dating to the post-war development period of the 1950s.
The presence of houses from as far back as the 1880s shows that Kensington was part of Timaru’s early suburban expansion south of the original town centre.
The suburb’s position south of central Timaru means it is close to the city’s main services and amenities on Stafford Street, while retaining a quieter residential character typical of Timaru’s inner southern suburbs.
Residents benefit from easy access to Timaru’s urban facilities without being in the busiest commercial zones. The mix of older and mid-century housing contributes to a varied streetscape that reflects different phases of the city’s growth.
Helpful Resources
Wikipedia — Kensington, Timaru: suburb overview with location, population data and housing history.
Wikipedia — Kensington, Timaru: suburb overview with location, population data and housing history.
Stats NZ — Kensington (Timaru District) summaries: official census statistics on population, dwellings and demographics.
Questions and Answers
Where is Kensington in Timaru?South of Timaru city centre, a compact suburb.
Where is Kensington in Timaru?
South of Timaru city centre, a compact suburb.
When was Kensington developed?
The earliest housing dates to 1880–1889, with the majority built in the 1950s. It is one of Timaru’s older residential suburbs.
Is Kensington close to Timaru amenities?
Yes, it lies immediately south of the city centre and Stafford Street commercial area.
What type of housing is in Kensington?
A mix of homes from the late 19th century and the post-war 1950s era.
Where do Kensington residents shop?
The main shopping is the Stafford Street commercial area in central Timaru, immediately to the north.
Which ward is Kensington in?
Kensington is in the Timaru Ward of Timaru District Council.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people live in Kensington?
About 1,420 people lived in Kensington at the 2023 Census, up 4% since 2018. See Who Lives in Kensington
What school zones cover Kensington?
The zones of St Joseph's School (Timaru), Timaru South School, Craighead Diocesan School and Roncalli College cover all of Kensington. Zones change, so check an address with the school. See Schools in Kensington
When is bin day in Kensington?
Monday. Bins go out by 6am on collection day. Streets near the edge of the suburb can differ, so check the council lookup if unsure. See Bin Day in Kensington
Is Kensington in a tsunami or flood zone?
About 20% of Kensington is inside the tsunami evacuation zone, and about 40% of its land is in the council's mapped flood areas. A long or strong earthquake means move to high ground or inland straight away. Check a street on the council flood map before you buy. See Safety and Hazards
Are dogs allowed in Kensington?
South Beach: off leash. See every dog park and walk in Timaru.
What suburbs border Kensington?
When was Kensington developed?
The earliest housing dates to 1880–1889, with the majority built in the 1950s. It is one of Timaru's older residential suburbs.
Is Kensington close to Timaru amenities?
Yes, it lies immediately south of the city centre and Stafford Street commercial area.
What type of housing is in Kensington?
A mix of homes from the late 19th century and the post-war 1950s era.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Near Kensington
Just outside Kensington, within 5 km of its centre, nearest first.
Places
Show 2 more places
Businesses
Explore all Timaru businesses
Explore Timaru only lists suburbs officially recognised by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), and Kensington is one of them. Suburb boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.
Sources and data notes 7
- Official Suburb Facts: Boundary, area and neighbours: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. Population: Stats NZ 2023 Census usually resident population, CC BY 4.0, summed from the statistical areas inside the boundary.
- Who Lives in Kensington: Stats NZ 2023 Census, CC BY 4.0. Figures are summed from the census areas inside the official Kensington boundary. Percentages are of the people or homes that answered each question; a figure is left out when fewer than 100 answered.
- Schools in Kensington: Ministry of Education school directory and enrolment zones (CC BY 4.0 and CC BY 3.0 NZ), November 2026.
- Bin Day in Kensington: Timaru District Council collection areas.
- Streets in Kensington: LINZ NZ Addresses road data, CC BY 4.0.
- Safety and Hazards: NZ Police victimisation data, CC BY 4.0, September 2025 to August 2026 (crimes inside homes are only published for burglary); Environment Canterbury tsunami evacuation zones (2026); Timaru District Plan flood assessment area.
- Weather and Rent at a Glance: NIWA climate averages 1991-2020 (via Figure.NZ); Tenancy Services rental bond data (new bonds in the suburb’s Stats NZ areas), July 2025 to June 2026, CC BY 3.0 NZ.