Our Place

Welcome to our place, Murihiku Southland, the southernmost region of Aotearoa, New Zealand. Here, we have never lost connection to the natural world; we experience its wildness, beauty and abundance as part of everyday life. 

Our land is home to some of the most breathtaking and iconic wildlife and wild places in all of New Zealand, including parts of Te Wāhipounamu. This UNESCO World Heritage area covers over 2.6 million hectares of southwest Aotearoa.

But Murihiku is more than just pristine white beaches or rolling farmlands. It's a place of contrasts, where you can witness the drama of Te Ara a Kiwa / Foveaux Strait, marvel at the ancient rock walls of Te-Rua-o-te-Moko Fiordland rising from the sea, and relax by the tranquil lakes and rivers that dot our landscape.

Our main centres, including Invercargill (population 52,000), Gore (12,000), and Te Anau (2,000), are home to some of the most welcoming and friendly people you'll ever meet.

Our name, Murihiku, speaks to our position as the tail end of the whenua / land, the tail of the whale and the stern of the waka that propels us forward. It reminds us that we are all part of the same waka, moving forward together as one. 

Tū tahi ki te kei - let's all stand together in the stern of our waka.