Environment 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.