Bay Hill Books is an independent community bookshop in the heart of Timaru, celebrating books and the South Canterbury community. Owner and Operator, Renee Rowland aslo created the Twizel Bookshop, situated in the heart of Twizel.

People love books, and stories are what make us human

Owner and Operator of Bay Hill Books and The Twizel Bookshop, Renee Rowland spoke to Stuff.co.nz recently about the opening of her second bookshop, Bay Hill Books - located on Stafford Street in Timaru:

"I’ve seen the impact independent book shops have on towns. They become a reliable part of the culture and community." she said.

"People love books, and stories are what make us human.”

“I want to get the community engaged and involved.” The Timaru shop will stock mainstream books as well as those which have been self-published. Among the titles for sale will be rare or out-of-print second-hand books about South Island farming which Rowland had curated over the years.

“I really want to preserve the stories about our heritage.”