Pūrongorongo
Data & Insight Reports
These reports serve as an extension of the dashboards available on DISH, offering timely and comprehensive quarterly data and insights tailored to a broad range of audiences. While the dashboards provide an at-a-glance overview, these reports delve deeper, offering further insights specific to the Murihiku Southland region. The reports are structured around four quarterly periods throughout the year: January to March, April to June, July to September, and October to December, ensuring consistent and up-to-date information to support local decision-making, planning, and development.
Tourism Reports
-
Q2 2025 Murihiku Southland Tourism Report
Murihiku Southland’s visitor economy remains in good shape, with growth in several key areas and continued strength in the region’s core tourism offerings.
For the 12 months to June 2025, total regional spend reached $359.7 million, an increase of $2.1 million (+0.6%) on the previous year. While national tourism spend has seen fluctuations in recent months, Southland’s steady growth highlights the region’s ability to attract visitors year-round.
Commercial accommodation occupancy in Fiordland averaged 52.8% over the year, up 1 percentage point, while the Southland RTO area recorded 49.9%.
These figures remain competitive with many other regional destinations, providing a strong base to build on, particularly in shoulder and off-peak seasons.
Milford Sound/Piopiotahi continues to be a stand-out drawcard, welcoming 784,072 visitors, more than 53,000 up on the previous year (+7.3%). This reinforces its role as a key anchor attraction and a driver of wider regional travel.
Events are playing an increasingly important role in boosting visitation and regional vibrancy. Over the past year, 153 major events (500+ attendees) were hosted, five more than the year before.
-
Economic Reports
-
Q1 2025 Murihiku Southland Economic Report
Murihiku Southland’s economy remains in a strong position, with GDP growing 5.2% over the year to reach $8.84 billion.
This reflects the region’s continued economic momentum and reinforces its role as a key contributor to the national economy. GDP per capita now sits at $83,620 - comfortably above the national average of $78,233, and fifth-highest in the country.
The number of businesses in the region grew slightly (+0.3%), indicating steady local enterprise confidence. Southland’s population also continues to grow, albeit modestly at 1.1% year-on-year.
Stats NZ has released their new population figures based on the census data from 2023 (previously based off 2018 census data). This has resulted in Southland’s population being restated downwards from 106,100 to 103,800. Other statistics in the Key Facts are unchanged from the last quarter as these are updated annually.
Great South is committed to providing quarterly reports which monitor key datasets and insights. While this report covers the period 1 January to 31 March 2025, it should be viewed alongside other quarterly reports to better understand trends.
-
Housing Reports
-
Q2 2025 Murihiku Southland Housing Report
Murihiku Southlands housing market continues to show positive momentum, reflecting both the region’s liveability and its growing appeal to visitors and new residents.
The population grew by 2.4% over the past year to reach 103,800 people, continuing a steady upward trend and reinforcing Murihiku Southland’s reputation as a welcoming and vibrant place to live and visit.
Confidence in the region has seen median house prices increase by 10% where the rest of the country decreased. Murihiku Southand’s house prices are still a lot more affordable, however, rent affordability (rents as a percentage of region’s household income) have continued to deteriorate to similar levels to the rest of the country.
-