20 NOVEMBER 2019
The future is looking great with a clear plan announced to drive economic and social growth for the Southland region.
Great South – Southland’s regional development agency – has today revealed its vision for the future, highlighting the
areas of focus that it believes will deliver significant benefits for Southland.
Chairman Ian Collier said Great South had been established to help address the challenges identified in the Southland
Regional Development Strategy and embrace a renewed focus to driving economic and social growth.
“We are now excited to share with the broader community how we are going to work alongside them to encourage the future
prosperity of this incredible region,”
Mr Collier said the organisation would work across five key areas; regional economic development, business development
services, regional tourism development, regional events delivery and regional wellbeing, with a vision to deliver even
better lives through sustainable development.
“We are inspired by the unlimited potential of this region and believe that together these areas of focus allow us to
establish a strong foundation for regional growth and ensure Southland continues to be a driving force of the New
Zealand economy,”
Mr Collier said that the vision of the organisation would be evident whether Great South is involved in managing,
governing, facilitating, advocating for, or owning an initiative.
As part of revealing the organisation’s vision for the future, Great South also launched the Southland Murihiku
Destination Strategy.
The development of the strategy was initiated following a recommendation from the Southland Regional Development
Strategy and involved Stafford Strategy (the agency commissioned to develop the strategy) carrying out extensive
consultation and research throughout the region.
Consultant Albert Stafford said the Strategy highlighted the importance Great South and the wider Southland region
placed on developing a sustainable approach to regional tourism development.
”Whilst the Southland region includes some of the most stunning natural environments in New Zealand, this Strategy will
ensure there are the tourism and recreational products, amenities, infrastructure and support needed to achieve visitor
growth, and more importantly, encourage stronger visitor spend,”
Great South Chief Executive Ann Lockhart said that with the vision for Great South, its key areas of focus, and the
launch of the Southland Murihiku Strategy, Southland was now in the driving seat to shape its future development.
“We have the vision, the people and the strategies to encourage a more contemporary, connected and competitive Southland
region, now it’s time to maximise this potential and leverage greater success for the Southland region,”
Ms Lockhart said strong backing from local authorities, the private and public sector and Great South’s shareholders;
Invercargill City Council, Southland District Council, Gore District Council, Environment Southland, Southland Chamber
of Commerce, Southern Institute of Technology, Invercargill Licensing Trust, Mataura Licensing Trust and Community Trust
South gave Great South a clear mandate to drive regional growth.
ENDS