We live in the best part of the country and the Government is committed to supporting economic growth in our province by fixing the basics and building the future.

We have seen this in 2025 through millions of dollars in investment to create more jobs and more opportunities for local people.

This includes $393,000 in funding for a new Southern tourism campaign, aimed at encouraging Australians to holiday in the South - and comes on top of another $350,000 coming South from the Government’s Regional Tourism Boost, last year.

Five Southland events, including the Burt Munro Challenge and the Invercargill round of the NZ Premier Motorsport Summer Series, will also receive $93,000 in Government funding to boost visitor numbers in this province.

While $38.31 million, for eight Southland projects, from the Government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund are also set to boost economic growth.

This includes $2.2m to support the development of a Southland aquaculture business hub at Bluff, the first stage of a new solar farm and network upgrade on Stewart Island, with a $15.35m suspensory loan, and a $2.25m loan to create a regional space hub at the Awarua SpaceOps Satellite Station.

Five local flood protection projects have also been boosted, including the Oreti River project ($3m), and the Aparima River, Otautau Stream, and the Te Anau Basin projects ($300,000 each).

Almost $15m has also been pledged for Invercargill and Oreti Flood Resilience stop bank upgrades and improvements to the Mataura River Flood protection project.

The Government has also backed the economy in Southland with one of the largest investments in our local rail network.

The Rail Network Investment Programme will invest $1.36 billion over three years, across provincial New Zealand’s rail network.

In Southland and Otago, that will include 21km of re-sleepering, 13km of re-railing and 10 turnout replacements, for the 2024/25-2026/27 period, along with bridge renewals and resealing of 24 level crossings.

We’ve returned SIT to local control, empowering the local community, learners, employers and industry to take ownership.

We’ve also reformed the RMA – meaning Southlanders will be able to do more with their properties without having to get a consent, while farmers will benefit from fewer rules and regulations.

Strong Government support this year has been crucial in supporting our province, as we continue to grow our economy, improve opportunities, fix the basics and build the future.

Funded by Parliamentary Services