Environment and Climate Change

The Southland Murihiku region is the second largest in New Zealand Aotearoa and covers an area of 34,000sq. km with over 3,400 km of coastline. Just over half (53%) of Southland Murihiku is managed as conservation estate, while farmland occupies 85% of the non-conservation land.

For 150 years we’ve been modifying our land and water resources to create a better life for ourselves and a stronger economy for our region. Looking forward, we have to do things differently to improve our water quality and ensure land use is appropriate while considering the future impacts of climate change. As a region we are already working together in lots of different ways across numerous projects and Beyond 2025 Southland acknowledges the mahi already happening.

Alongside our key partners we will focus on three workstreams – Net Zero Southland (decarbonising our economy); Land and Water. Find out more below.