Community Development Services

The Southland community has a number of small communities and a diverse range of organisations and groups providing a variety of essential community services and leisure opportunities. These are central to the good quality of life for which Southland is known for.

However, over the recent years many local communities have experienced pressures, particularly to do with services that depend predominantly on volunteers. Demographics, population patterns and the make-up of communities have changed, and so have land use, legislation and people’s lifestyles. Things cost more, there’s more paper work to be completed and people have less time to volunteer.

This is where Venture Southland, Southland's regional development agency, aims to help. Our Community Development Team is involved in community development at both a regional and local level. By supporting regional development initiatives as well as practically assisting community groups and organisations large and small, we help communities to help themselves and ensure that Southland remains such a great place to live.