Southland Region

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Southland (Māori: Murihiku) is the name of New Zealand's southernmost region and is also the name of a district within that region.

Contents 1 History 2 Structure 2.1 Settlements 2.2 Representation 2.3 Local government 2.4 National parks and tourism 3 See also 4 References 5 External links

[edit] History

Originally part of Otago Province, Southland Province was one of the provinces of New Zealand from 1861 until 1870. It rejoined Otago Province due to financial difficulties, and the provinces were abolished entirely in 1876.

[edit] Structure

[edit] Settlements

The region has one city, Invercargill and one other district, Gore. Southland covers an area of 28,681 square kilometres. In the 2001 census it had a population of 91,002 people, down 6,096 from the 1996 census, making it one of New Zealand's most sparsely populated areas. The sizable western part Fiordland is almost empty of permanent human ihabitation.

[edit] Representation

Southland is divided into two parliamentary electorates, and is represented in Parliament by Bill English (Clutha-Southland) and Eric Roy (Invercargill). Both are members of the opposition National Party

[edit] Local government

The seats of Southland Regional Council (Environment Southland), Southland District Council and the Invercargill City Council are in Invercargill. Southland District includes the towns of Winton, Lumsden and all of Stewart Island/Rakiura.

[edit] National parks and tourism

The region is home to Fiordland National Park which covers 7,860 square kilometres. Southland also includes Stewart Island, much of which is set aside as Rakiura National Park.

Tourism spending is a major factor of the Southland economy, with NZ$ 368 million being spent by visitors in 2003, of which NZ$ 92 was spent in the Fiordland area.^[1]

[edit] See also

• Fiordland
• Southland Rugby
• Stewart Island
• Southland museum and art gallery

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Southland regional council's site
• Southland district council's site
• Southland travel guide from Wikitravel

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