Southland: a region for all seasons

Gateway to your new life

Welcome to the southernmost region of New Zealand and the gateway to some of the world’s most amazing scenery and exciting outdoor activities.

Southland is the region you come to when you want to slow down, change your life focus and relax.

Living here you will be able to work to have a life, not spend your life working and continually missing out on your family’s growing experiences, spending time with your partner and generally getting rid of stress in your body and soul.

If this appeals, then Southland is the place for you.

Lifestyle

The region boasts many friendly townships, which act as community hubs to the regional population of 94,600 (2006 Census).

Invercargill city (population 50,500) lays claim to many fantastic facilities, including New Zealand’s only indoor cycling velodrome, a covered ice skating rink, an Olympic-sized pool complex with a separate learners’ pool and hydro slide pool, and a new multisport stadium complex that includes 11 community courts.

Our grand Civic Theatre has been recently upgraded to the tune of $14 million dollars and plays host to endless local, national and international shows and productions. Invercargill also has a five-cinema complex for film buffs and the largest pyramid in the Southern Hemisphere is the home of the Southland Museum and Art Gallery.

To travel across town to the Invercargill domestic airport takes just five minutes. Most people leave their office to collect friends and colleagues from the airport when they hear the plane flying overhead!

Region

Southland is a vast area of land covering over three million hectares of mountains, rolling pastured hills, native bush, forests, lakes, natural harbours and sandy beaches, as well as snow-capped mountains in the winter. The region also offers vast array of recreation, lifestyle and industry opportunities.

Southland’s diverse geography means climate does vary across the region, from high rainfall over Fiordland to the drier conditions across the plains of Northern Southland. Populated regions of Southland have a pleasant, moderate climate with long summer daylight hours and well defined seasons. This means residents get to spend more time enjoying themselves – particularly during the long summer evenings of barbecues with friends and families.

Community

Southlanders have access to quality health services with a state-of-the-art level 4, secondary base hospital built in 2004. The hospital employs 1,400 staff and provides 181 beds.

The region has 14 secondary colleges spread throughout Invercargill city and across the region. All schools provide students with access to interactive whiteboard technology, high-speed broadband (Southland is the most connected region in New Zealand) and rights to use community video conferencing facilities for learning.

Festivals and events are held in communities throughout the region providing a range of cultural, artistic and sporting entertainment for all ages. During the July school holidays Invercargill hosts a special “Kidzone” Children’s Festival where parents get to experience the joy and fun of spending quality time together over several days.

Southland Offers to You:

• A wide range of employment opportunities in key developing industries
• A superb lifestyle with access to modern, urban amenities along with some of New Zealand’s most untouched and beautiful wilderness on the doorstep
• A community that cares and expects you to contribute
• Excellent educational facilities from preschool to tertiary education
• A safe, clean and child-friendly environment
• An affordable lifestyle with competitive salaries and real estate to suit every budget
• A region famed for its friendly people, warm southern welcome and great food.