Southland

Southland is known to Māori as Murihiku, the last joint of the tail. Its earliest inhabitants were Waitaha, who came on the Uruao waka whose captain Rākaihautū named places and carved out lakes across the region, follow…

By far, most travellers visit Southland to explore Fiordland National Park. Make time to see Milford Sound (the most well-known and accessible of the fiords). If you have extra time and money, consider also exploring Do…

The earliest inhabitants of the region—known to Māori as Murihiku ('the last joint of the tail')—were Māori of the Waitaha iwi, followed later by Kāti Māmoe and Kāi Tahu. Waitaha sailed on the Uruao waka, whose captain …

Southland (Māori: Murihiku, lit. 'the last joint of the tail') is New Zealand's southernmost region. It consists of the southwestern portion of the South Island and includes Stewart Island. Southland is bordered by the …

When you go on holiday or fall ill, someone needs to look after the cat, dog or rabbit. Neighbours are ideal: short distances and a familiar face for the animal. It's best to meet beforehand for a quick visit. Are you l…

For some older people the trip to the supermarket is hard work, especially when it's icy or very hot. If you're going shopping anyway, it's often easy to pick something up for someone else. A note in the hallway or a qu…

Guitar, drums, singing or beats on your laptop: music brings people together. Many towns have rehearsal rooms, music schools or open-mic nights where you can try things out. And bands are often looking for exactly the i…

Looking for an apprenticeship can feel huge at first. A good start: think about what you enjoy and ask local businesses directly about a work placement. Many companies welcome speculative applications even when nothing …

The weekend is coming and the question is the same as always: what shall we do? Got an idea for a day trip, a concert or simply a lovely afternoon in Southland Region? Drop your tips in the comments!

A good walk clears the head and shows your home from a new angle. Which route do you love most in Southland Region, and roughly how long does it take? Share your favourite loop with us!

Lots of things in town only work because people give their time for free. Where do you volunteer in Southland Region, and where could more helping hands be useful? Tell us about it and inspire others to join in!

Moving somewhere new often means not knowing anyone yet, and that's exactly when a neighbourhood can show how welcoming it is. Just arrived in Chuuk State? Tell us where you're from and what you're looking for. Everyone…

Some words only make sense if you grew up here. Which local expression from Chuuk State do you love, and what does it mean? Post it in the comments, ideally with a short explanation for everyone who moved here!