What Is Timaru Bluestone?
Not all stone is created equal. Timaru bluestone is a basalt formed from volcanic lava, quarried in South Canterbury and shaped by craftsmen who have spent years learning exactly what this stone can do. Its deep blue-grey tones, naturally non-slip surface and remarkable durability have made it one of the most specified building materials in the country, for good reason.
Look closely at the kerbing and cobblestones in some of New Zealand’s older towns and you’ll already be looking at it.
Bluestone isn’t a uniform material, and that’s exactly the point. Colour shifts from cool blue and grey through to warmer tones depending on the stone. Texture varies. No two pieces are identical. For specifiers who want something that feels crafted rather than manufactured, that natural variation is a feature, not a limitation.
Genuinely New Zealand
The majority of basalt products sold in New Zealand come from Asia. Ours comes from our own quarry in South Canterbury, which means shorter supply chains, real traceability, and a product with a genuine sense of place. “Our stone tends to advertise itself,” says Managing Director Renè Kempf. “People call up asking if it’s our bluestone coffee table in the Britomart hotel. And yes, it is.”
New Finishes, More Possibilities
Timaru Bluestone recently invested in a purpose-built polishing and calibrating machine, made in Turkey, that has significantly expanded what’s achievable with the stone. Sandblasting, bush hammering, brushing. Processes that once required separate machines can now be combined in a single run. A bush hammer finish followed by a brush, for example, creates a surface character that simply wasn’t possible before.
Genuinely New Zealand
The majority of basalt products sold in New Zealand come from Asia. Ours comes from our own quarry in South Canterbury, which means shorter supply chains, real traceability, and a product with a genuine sense of place. “Our stone tends to advertise itself,” says Managing Director Renè Kempf. “People call up asking if it’s our bluestone coffee table in the Britomart hotel. And yes, it is.”
New Finishes, More Possibilities
Timaru Bluestone recently invested in a purpose-built polishing and calibrating machine, made in Turkey, that has significantly expanded what’s achievable with the stone. Sandblasting, bush hammering, brushing. Processes that once required separate machines can now be combined in a single run. A bush hammer finish followed by a brush, for example, creates a surface character that simply wasn’t possible before.
Where You’ll Find It
Timaru bluestone has been specified for some of New Zealand’s most recognised projects. A 125-metre wall of etched bluestone runs behind the check-in counters at Christchurch International Airport, subtly patterned to reference the Waimakariri River. Fisher and Paykel’s Auckland Experience Centre features a bluestone “hot rock” containing an induction element used to brew kawakawa tea, a piece as much about narrative as material. In Queenstown, a private home uses bluestone throughout the interior and exterior, with each stone individually selected for its character.
A Lasting Choice
The projects being completed today are establishing a legacy that future generations will use long after the build is finished. Naturally beautiful. Genuinely New Zealand. Built to last.
Bluestone Applications
Timaru Bluestone is perfect for a wide variety of architectural and landscaping projects
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