 Southland
Southland is a vast natural playground, a diverse environment that supports a myriad of industries, lifestyles and recreational pursuits. The region includes Invercargill City, the borough of Gore and New Zealand's newest national treasure, Stewart Island/Rakiura National Park. It encompasses a total land area of. 3,035,577 ha, with a population of just under 100,000.
Southland's 3400km of coast (more than any other region) provides habitat, recreation and a base for a growing marine industry, which includes marine farming and international tourism. Rivers traverse the land and spill into the mighty lakes of Te Anau, Manapouri and Hauroko, New Zealand's deepest lake.
Every year, more than a million visitors come to admire the beauty and abundance of Southland's environment from our world heritage parks, internationally recognised wetlands, our great walks and ancient forests.
Southland's Economy
Southland leads New Zealand as a primary producing region. Our clean, green market image ensures our produce is highly valued and much sought after in national and international markets. We're home to succulent Southland lamb, Bluff Oysters, melt in your mouth beef and venison and the Seriously Good Chocolate Company!
 There are more than 5300 farms in the region, occupying over 85% of the total area of non-conservation land in Southland. Sheep and beef farming remains the mainstay, although there has been huge growth in the dairy industry and an increase in the number of lifestyle blocks and alternative or boutique farms emerging.
The largest non-agricultural based industry in Southland is the Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter.
Visitor numbers are rising rapidly and the tourism industry has become perhaps one of the most significant new players in our economy. Southland is also becoming a popular education centre with the innovative 'Zero Fees' scheme attracting residents from all over New Zealand and in doing so, further enriching our economy and our culture.
Southland has long been a haven for innovators.There's a myriad of small and backyard industries supplying high quality goods to international niche markets - possum fur garments to New York's elite, classic and performance racing cars to Europe and America, fresh and prepared food products to the world's leading chefs.
 Southland is currently enjoying a very buoyant economic climate. It's our role at Environment Southland to ensure that this growth is not at the expense of our environment. We're here to ensure Southland's sustainable future.
We recognise the increasing pressures being placed on our natural resources from intensive farming and industry practises, increased recreational usage and an expanding population. We also recognise the need to provide guardianship over our natural resources and to engage the community in the ongoing care and protection of our precious environment for Southlanders now and in the future.
About Environment Southland
In partnership with the Southland Community, Environment Southland is the statutory body responsible for managing our natural and physical resources of air, land, water and coast. As Southlanders, we owe it to future generations to ensure they continue to enjoy the same environmental standards that we presently value.
Most human activities have an impact on our natural and physical resources. We all have a part to play in making sure that the resources we depend on for our industries, jobs, recreation and quality of life are not over-used.
Your locally elected councillors represent you to ensure that local needs are met by making decisions and setting the direction for the sustainable use of resources.
Environment Southland is responsible for managing the entire Southland region, which covers 3,035,577 ha from Awarua Point on the West Coast to the Brothers Point on the fringe of the East Coast and includes Stewart Island.
Download the 'About Environment Southland' brochure (880kb)
The Laws we work under
The following laws give Environment Southland the ability to carry out its diverse functions of managing the air, land, water and coastal environments.
- Biosecurity Act 1993
- Civil Defence Act 1983
- Companies Act 1955
- Finance Acts (various)
- Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992
- Land Drainage Act 1908
- Local Authorities Loans Act 1956
- Local Government Act 2002
- Port Companies Act 1988
- Resource Management Act 1991
- Transit New Zealand Act 1989
- Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Act 1941
- Transport Services Licensing Act 1989
- Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987
- Marine Pollution Act 1974
- Maritime Transport Act 1994
- Local Government Rating Act 2002
- Local Electoral Act 2001 (Bylaws include no.s 1, 2 & 3 with an amendment to 1)
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