Southland

Southland commonly refers to the Southland Region, situated at the southern end of New Zealand's South Island. The region encompasses Fiordland National Park and Stewart Island/Rakiura, and its administrative center is Invercargill. The regional council is Southland Regional Council.

The region covers rural areas and a few urban centers; main economic activities include dairy and sheep farming, forestry, fishing, and tourism. The population is concentrated in Invercargill and nearby towns such as Gore and Te Anau; Stewart Island is sparsely populated.

Historically Māori settlement preceded European exploration; it became a province in the 19th century and retained the name after 1989 local government reforms; major attractions include Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound, and the southern coastline; the region is known for outdoor recreation and wildlife.

In popular culture, Southland is the title of an American television series that ran from 2009 to 2013; additional uses include as a generic term for the southern portion of a country or region.