About the Strategy

The Southland Regional Development Strategy was initiated by the Southland Mayoral Forum in late 2014 with the simple goal of 10,000 more people living in Southland by 2025.

The strategy sets out to address this issue through actions that will make a decisive difference and by doing a few things well. Success in a few critical areas will have a knock-on effect.

The strategy identifies that Southland has the potential for greater diversity and growth. It needs a stronger urban culture, new industries, the ability to extend our existing industries and a strong social sector.

Southland leaders recognise that while we’re doing many things well at the moment, to have a vibrant community and economy in the future we need to be doing some things differently.