Great South, in partnership with Waihōpai Rūnaka and Southland’s councils, will host the Murihiku Southland Regional Housing Forum on 12 June 2025 at Murihiku Marae.

The event is entitled “Thinking Differently Together” and will bring together a wide range of stakeholders - including developers, planners, businesses, iwi and community leaders - to explore practical, innovative solutions to the region’s housing challenges and opportunities.

Great South General Manager Regional Strategy, Bobbi Brown, said the forum was a valuable opportunity for the region to collaborate and think differently about how housing can meet Southland’s current and future needs.

"Southland has always been known for its can-do attitude and its ability to find practical solutions," she said.

"This is not just a talkfest - this is about action, learning from others and making progress together.”

The forum will focus on three key themes: broadening housing options beyond the traditional quarter acre dream, aligning spatial planning and regulation to enable housing growth, and recognising housing as a critical economic enabler for Southland.

During the forum, Waihōpai Rūnaka will also unveil new papakāika (housing) at Murihiku Marae.

Waihōpai Rūnaka Kaiwhakahaere Cyril Gilroy said the opening of eight new papakāika and kaumātua whare (houses), which have been purpose-built for whānau, would be a proud moment.

“This is an exciting milestone for Waihōpai, as we support our kaumātua with warm, solar-powered housing on the marae grounds. We look forward to having our kaumātua close by, ensuring they receive the support they need, while our wider whānau benefits from their invaluable mātauranga (knowledge) and skills.”

Brown said housing played a critical role in supporting Murihiku Southland’s regional development goals. It is one of our key enablers and supports population growth, business recruitment and community wellbeing.

"We want to highlight the great work already underway, share ideas and approaches from other parts of New Zealand and beyond, and foster new partnerships that can help us deliver the diverse housing options Southlanders need," she said.

The forum will feature case studies from local and national projects, expert presentations on regulatory and spatial planning changes, and will include the launch of the new Build Southland housing website.

The event is free to attend, and all those interested in housing, development and Southland’s future are encouraged to register via Great South’s website.

Event details:

Murihiku Southland Regional Housing Forum

Southland Regional Development Agency 

143 Spey Street, PO Box 1306, Invercargill, Southland, New Zealand Phone +64 3 211 1400 Email info@greatsouth.nz

greatsouth.nz 

Date: Thursday 12 June 2025

Time: 9.00am till 5.00pm

Location: Murihiku Marae, Invercargill

To register for the forum please complete the following form:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=i4Ot-9s4i0OTHVS7YHqkYdsWMq2M ExOrGNTm5zGDT1UOTNSRUsxT1U2V0c4RTg5WDhPU0dCS0ZXRC4u

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