Beyond 2025, a comprehensive long-term plan for Southland, was presented to community leaders and invited contributors this week (28 Jun).

Commissioned by Southland Just Transition Enduring Oversight Group's (EOG), the Great South plan will not only be adopted by the group, but also be used to update the Southland Regional Development Strategy (SoRDs).

EOG was set up following New Zealand Aluminium Smelters announced closure of its Tiwai smelter in 2024, while the SoRDs was a Southland mayors' 2015 action plan which included increasing Southland's population by 10,000 in 10 years.

The Beyond 2025 plan is the culmination of 18 months consultation with community groups, organisations, businesses, iwi and agencies, and not only offers a positive vision of what Southland could look like, but also a guide of how to get there.

Project lead Bobbi Brown said ultimately the plan was about making Murihiku Southland a place where everyone could live in the way they wanted to, by building on success and a strong foundation.

“I am confident we are walking proudly and staunchly into a bright new era for Murihiku Southland,” Brown said.

Great South Chairman Ian Collier said the plan was an extraordinary and complex piece of work for the region, and revealed the intricacies of the regional jigsaw.

“It consolidates findings from various pieces of research and represents a huge amount of effort by many people and what’s really important is that it is backed up by evidence, facts and data that we can rely on to guide us."

At the event it was announced that Great South has been granted further funding from Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to facilitate implementation of the plan for the following year.

“We look forward to continuing to work with these parties to see the plan implemented,” Collier said.

Brown emphasised the plan was long-term and that as the operating environment changed, the plan would be updated accordingly.

CLICK HERE to view the Beyond 2025 document.