Welcome to Southland
Nau mai, Haere mai ki Murihiku - Welcome to Southland
Southland is a remarkable place - home to pristine rainforests, fertile farmlands, sweeping coastlines and endless opportunities. With welcoming, generous and unapologetically proud people who are focused on an exciting future in Southland, you'll find a strong sense of manaakitanga and a united, inclusive and increasingly diverse community.
Our people, employment opportunities, and enviable lifestyle will make for an inviting new home, so what are you waiting for?
It's time to Go South!
About the region
Southland is located right at the bottom of the South Island of New Zealand and is made up of several townships that all contribute to a proud and welcoming region.
The main centres are Invercargill - considered by many to be the capital of Southland, with a population of 52,000 and Gore – home to 12,000 people. The attractive lakeside town of Te Anau, located on the shores of the South Island’s largest lake, is the gateway to the world-famous Fiordland National Park and is home to nearly 2000 people. All up, there are less than 100,000 people to share the 3.1 million hectares (12% of New Zealand's total land area) of regional, lush farmland and coast, making Southland the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of big city life.
With an abundance of natural resources, Southland's economy is booming, bringing real benefits to the entire region and offers one of the highest employment rates in New Zealand. This, along with the safe streets, high standard of educational opportunities, and low living costs, play a big part in making Southland a great place to live, work, study and play.
