Southland describes itself as “the New Zealand we all dream of”, with its unmatched rugged beauty providing an attractive natural playground for locals and visitors.
As well as tourism, the region’s economy is based on fishing, forestry, agriculture and energy resources, all of which hold rich opportunities and potential for further growth.
The Southland Regional Development Strategy, launched in October 2015, is a high-level integrated strategy to bring together each of the different regional development efforts taking place.
Southland's action plan for 2015-2025 includes a number of ambitious ways to meet their three main challenges: to diversify its economy, grow its population, and strengthen local business.
Southland Regional Development Strategy Te Iwi Me Oranga Rauemi
Southland Regional Development Strategy Action Plan (PDF, 8.6 MB)
Southland/Murihiku stories
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$60m for nationwide job creation
The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is providing $60 million to councils and KiwiRail to create employment for local workers.
June 19, 2020
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Provincial Growth Fund reset helps regional economies
At least $600 million of Provincial Growth Fund money will be used to support regional economies as they recover from COVID-19.
June 3, 2020
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PGF grows Māori economy
Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) support for the Māori economy is expected to have far-reaching effects, a report from the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) has found.
April 28, 2020
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PGF funding being repurposed to help protect jobs and businesses
The Provincial Development Unit is working across government, business, and industry to protect jobs and businesses as the global economic downturn due to the COVID-19 outbreak continues to impact on our regions.
March 27, 2020
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Land, air and sea: regions to benefit from NZ Upgrade
Regional New Zealand will be a hive of activity in the coming months as the New Zealand Upgrade Programme delivers on its promise to modernise our infrastructure, prepare for climate change and help grow our economy.
February 28, 2020
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Milford gets connected with NZ Upgrade
Digital and air connectivity in Fiordland are getting a big boost as part of the $12 billion New Zealand Upgrade Programme announced in January.
February 28, 2020
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PGF investment in Pacific employment programme reaps rewards
The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) investment of $8.85 million (announced in February last year) to allow the Tupu Aotearoa programme (formerly the Pacific Employment Support Service) to be expanded to the regions is reaping rewards.
January 15, 2020
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PGF backs Southland
A $4 million Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) investment in Southland will lift productivity and create new jobs, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced in Invercargill.
December 10, 2019
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TAM-funded Tupu Aotearoa programme encourages growth mindset
Having successfully completed the Tupu Aotearoa programme run by Alignz Recruitment, Fuaifale Tyrell sees things from a very different perspective.
December 4, 2019
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PGF approves wind turbines funding for Stewart Island
Stewart Island has been granted $3.16 million from the Provincial Growth Fund to convert part of its electricity generation to wind power through building two wind turbines there.
December 2, 2019
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Funding boosts new inventions for Predator Free 2050
Innovation and technology are behind five new tools which will soon be used save native wildlife by removing predators, developed through support from Predator Free 2050 Limited.
November 21, 2019
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PGF grant supports Great South
A $400k grant from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) to Southland’s economic development agency will help the agency drive Southland’s regional economic development aspirations.
September 27, 2019
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Supporting work to bring the heart back to the Invercargill CBD
“This is about making a CBD that makes sense for the heart of Invercargill and breathing new life into the area.”
August 19, 2019
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Opening up Southland to the world
Southlanders will have greater access to New Zealand’s biggest city and the world when the first jet flight from Auckland to Invercargill since 1995 touches down in late August.
July 26, 2019
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Construction starting soon on Hokonui Moonshine Museum expansion
Designs are nearing completion for the Hokonui Moonshine Museum’s redevelopment, including a new distillery in Gore that will quadruple the production of its historically accurate whiskey brand.
May 22, 2019
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Eight regions to receive $14M to expand 3D mapping
Eight Regional Councils, in partnership with their Territorial Authorities and others, have applied for and will receive $14 million of co-funding from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) to obtain, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) elevation datasets.
May 21, 2019
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PGF backing growth in Gore
The Provincial Growth Fund will help young people into jobs and support economic growth in Southland through a $3.7 million investment in Gore, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones has announced.
April 26, 2019
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Published: Jun 11, 2019