Southland District Council

One of the essential characteristics of Southland is its strong community ethic. Each of Southland’s communities has a special character, ranging from the popular seaside town of Riverton/Aparima, the bustle of a busy tourist destination in Te Anau, to the quiet yet beautiful town of Riversdale and tranquillity of Oban, Stewart Island/Rakiura. But in all these communities it is the norm to know your neighbours; people are open and friendly and can be relied upon. This sense of community has created a reputation of Southland being one of the safest family environments in the country.