Welcome to Southland
Home to Fiordland, Rakiura Stewart Island, and some of New Zealand’s most dramatic, awe-inspiring and iconic wilderness and wildlife, Southland is the New Zealand we all dream of… Sustained by lush farmland and bountiful rivers and coastlines, Southland offers safe streets, quality education and low living costs. With welcoming, generous and proud people who are focused on an exciting future, a booming economy that brings real opportunity and benefit to the region and an enviable lifestyle, Southland makes for an inviting new home.
Top reasons to make the move south...
A place to call home
Houses in Southland are more affordable, with a regional average house price of approximately $450,000 – compared to a national average house price of approximately $850,000.
A thriving economy
Southland has one of the highest employment rates in the country and has strong demand for skilled workers. The five largest industries are agriculture, manufacturing, retail, health care and construction.
A safe province to live Southland has the second lowest crime rate in New Zealand (behind Tasman) and has a strong sense of community.
More daylight means more time
in your day
Southland is known for its long summer daylight hours and sees less rain than either Auckland or Wellington!
Learning for the whole family
From pre-school through to quality high schools and tertiary study, Southland offers some of the best educational opportunities in New Zealand.
A quality of life like no other
Southlanders enjoy a generous work-life balance, with short commutes providing more time to spend with family and for activities in the great outdoors. Southland is home to half of New Zealand’s Great Walks and the Queenstown ski fields are just two hours away.
With some of the world’s best sea food produced within the region, Southland serves up an eclectic mix of succulent kaimoana including world famous Bluff oysters, Stewart Island salmon, mussels, paua and blue cod to name a few. Go out and catch it yourself or head to one of the many restaurants where you will find these delicacies on the menu.
An exciting calendar of events
Southland is home to the famous Bluff Oyster & Food Festival, the Burt Munro Challenge, Tussock Country Music Festival, ILT Kidzone Festival and many other unique events. With such a diverse range of festivals and events throughout the seasons of the year, there is always something going on for all to enjoy close to home!
Half of New Zealand’s great walks
Southland is home to half of New Zealand’s Great Walks for the hiking-inclined, with the Milford, Kepler and Routeburn tracks a short drive from Te Anau, Rakiura Track beginning on the outskirts of Oban, Stewart Island and the latest Great Walk the Hump Ridge Track starting along the southwestern coast near Tuatapere. For those who just love to get out in nature there are waterfall trails for photographers, night walks for kiwi spotters and coastal walks for beach lovers.
Starry night skies
Ever wanted to see the southern
lights? Southland has great conditions for stargazing and a better chance than most to observe the Aurora Australis, the Milky Way and New Zealand’s most famous constellation, the Southern Cross. Rakiura Stewart Island in particular has outstanding sky quality and is an International Dark Sky Sanctuary. Where kiwis meet kiwis
Want to listen to native birdsong while you are having your morning coffee? Spot kiwi hiding in the dark on your next weekend roadie? Native wildlife is right on your doorstep when you live in Southland.
Time to explore
It’s time to buy the boat and discover New Zealand’s deepest lake (Lake Hauroko), go trout fishing in crystal clear rivers, or catch an early morning wave before work at one of the great surf spots. Spend more time adventuring in nature in both Fiordland and Rakiura National Parks, go camping in pure wilderness, or take up mountain biking and ride unique trails. Go south for the best quality of life!
Find out more about living in Southland at www.southlandnz. com