Rooney Holdings Ltd buyer of former Smithfield site in Timaru
Wednesday, 6 August 2025
The new owner of the former site of one of Timaru’s longest-running businesses has been revealed.
Timaru District Council records show Rooney Holdings Ltd is now the owner of 15 Bridge Rd, the site of Alliance’s Smithfield meatworks for almost 140 years before its closure in December.
The land was put up for sale in February, and was marketed as offering 32 hectares with a “multitude of options for developers and occupiers’’.
Alliance confirmed the sale of the land in May, issuing a statement at the time which said the 32-hectare site had been purchased for development with the agreement unconditional. Both the purchase price and the identity of the purchaser were confidential.
However, on Tuesday, the council confirmed the new owner of the property when asked, a council spokesperson confirming it as Rooney Holdings Ltd.
The company, which is owned by sole director and shareholder Gary Rooney, also bought four properties in Timaru’s CBD in April. The properties had been owned by the council’s holdings company, Timaru District Holdings Ltd, which purchased them in 2018 as part of a plan to help develop the south end of the town.
The properties, from 101 to 111 and 123 Stafford St, purchased by Rooney Holdings included the former National Mortgage & Agency House and the Majestic Theatre. They sold for $737,000.
TDHL bought them, along with 117-119 Stafford St which TDHL had been renovating, for $1.7 million.
Rooney has been approached for comment about his plans for the former Smithfield site, and for an update on any plans for the Stafford St properties.
Rooney was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to business and philanthropy at this year’s King’s Birthday Honours.
The citation stated he was committed to the growth and success of South Canterbury.
At the time of the sale, Alliance chief executive Willie Wiese said there had been significant interest in the site.
“Smithfield has been a well-known part of the Timaru landscape for nearly 140 years,’’ he said at the time.
“While this marks the end of an era, we’re pleased to have concluded the sale and to enable new investment in the site.”
The industrial and rural land was in three titles, dissected by the main south rail line.
The main title on the site was 24.21ha and was zoned Industrial H, providing for a wide range of industrial uses.
The land was also home to the Smithfield Coastal Observation Bunker which was built in 1942, and had a Heritage New Zealand Category 2 listing.
The third title was Rural 3-zoned, sat along State Highway 1, and was about 7.90ha, he said.