Business information

Southland has a strong innovative economic base. Agriculture and horticulture make up a large part of Southland's economy. Recent years has seen significant change in land use around the region. Manufacturing and productivity trends appear positive in Southland which also has a strong manufacturing base. Tiwai Aluminium Smelter employs around 2400 full time equivalent jobs and contributes 13.5% to Southland's Gross Domestic Product.

Southland has actively sought to identify local energy opportunities. As a result, there are a significant number of parties who have made commitments toward development, including oil and gas exploration - both on shore and off shore, coal fired generation, lignite to liquids and wind generation. Exxon Mobil and OMV have recently completed a period of seismic exploration in the Great South Basin and it is expected that they will make a decision regarding further exploration in the next 12-18 months.

Tourism is a growing sector in Southland and accounts for 10-12% of the labour force. The number of people directly employed in the Tourism industry is expected to continue to grow.

For more information on business in Southland please contact Venture Southland, info@venturesouthland.co.nz