Environment Southland Email Format
Government AdministrationSouthland, New Zealand51-200 Employees
Environment Southland is a regional government authority responsible for managing the natural and physical resources—air, land, water, and coast—for the Southland region, comprising more than three million hectares and including Stewart Island from Awarua Point on the West Coast to Waiparau Head on the fringe of the East Coast. Based in Richmond, Southland, New Zealand, it serves residents and local industries by safeguarding environmental standards to support sustainable living and a high quality of life. The council is guided by twelve democratically elected councillors and supported by more than 150 staff. The organization emphasizes that most human activities impact the environment, and it seeks to balance use through standards, communication, education, and consultation to achieve sustainable outcomes for Southland. It operates within the government administration sector, delivering public information tools such as a mapping platform and catchment summaries to make environmental data accessible to communities and stakeholders. In May 2026, Stephen Hall was appointed chief executive, marking a notable leadership development for the agency.