Murihiku Area
Waituna Wetland Scientific Reserve as
seen from the east, Southland
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Murihiku Area Office
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Phone:
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+64 3 211 2400
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Fax:
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+64 3 214 4486
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Email:
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invercargill@doc.govt.nz
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Address:
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7th Floor
CUE on Don
33 Don Street
Invercargill 9810
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Postal Address:
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P O Box 743
Invercargill 9840
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Murihiku means "the tail end of the land". It was applied by the Māori to the southern part of the South Island in the early 1800s.
The Murihiku Area Office looks after some of Southland's most popular destinations including, Curio Bay and the adjacent Porpoise Bay, situated on the Catlins coast. Few places in the world offer such scenic, wildlife and recreational values in one small area. Being able to visit an amazing 180 million year-old fossilised forest is truly a privilege and one that is enjoyed by all who visit the internationally geological wonder.
The Murihiku Area Office also manages a rich and enchanting historic heritage. Historic Port Craig Village, situated in the Waitutu Forest in the south-west corner of New Zealand, provides an opportunity to discover some of Southland's interesting milling past while the Eyre Mountains/Taka Rā Haka Conservation Park is perfect for those seeking a remote and challenging recreational experience.
Many recreational oportunities are maintained by Murihiku area staff. From its diverse and accessible walks - nearly 16,000 people visit Bluff's Foveaux Walkway annually, to its vast sandy beaches, the area's natural environment and cultural heritage is loved and appreciated by hundreds of thousands of national and international visitors each year.
Southland's community is heavily committed to conservation by being involved in projects such as improving the water quality of the Waituna Lagoon by the Waituna Landcare Group, eradicating weeds in a small rural reserve by the Woodlands Scout Group, and constructing a short walk through an historic Chinese gold mining area by the Te Araroa Trust. Everyone in Southland can be involved in a range of opportunities such as conservation volunteer projects, beach clean ups, planting and weeding days, educational school trips and other conservation events which are held by the Department throughout the year.
The main provincial city is Invercargill with a population of around 50,000 with smaller rural areas like Gore, population about 12,000, Otatara - 3000, Winton - 2200, Bluff, 2100, Mataura - 2000, Riverton/Aparima - 1800, and Waikaia - 1700. In addition to these main centres of population there are various smaller rural community townships with populations of less than 1000 people.