Residents of Timaru turn out to catch a glimpse of Shira the giraffe

Shira the giraffe being fed on route to Timaru. Photo / Supplied

Residents of Timaru are turning out for a glimpse of young giraffe Shira, who arrived by ship at its port at about 2.45pm en route from Auckland Zoo to her new home in Christchurch.

But they face a fair wait, as unloading of the MV Shansi is not due to start until about 4pm, before Shira can be transported by road to the Orana Wildlife Park tonight.

The two-year-old part-Rothschild giraffe left Auckland in her purpose-built crate on the deck of the 31,000-tonne ship around noon on Wednesday and has been looked after on her two-day cruise by three Auckland Zoo staff.