Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds says it’s a wonderful recognition of the hard work of the people of this province, that Southland had recorded the country’s largest increase in regional gross domestic product (GDP) at almost 10 percent.
“According to figures released today by Stats NZ today, GDP to the year ended March 2025, rose by 9.8 percent in Southland - over double Otago’s 4.5 percent and well up in Auckland’s 2.1 percent rise.
“The average increase across regions in the South Island was 5.2 percent, still well behind this province’s almost 10 percent rise.
“These figures are a credit this province and its hardworking peoples
“We can hold our heads high in the knowledge that we are a province on the up - and that our economic growth and performance outshines the rest of the country.
“It reflects the strength of the rural sector, specifically dairy and sheep and beer farming, but also manufacturing, including Tiwai, and fishing, forestry and tourism.
“The Government is also proud to have played its part, going for growth with a strategy focused on restoring fiscal discipline, which has promoted lower inflation and interest rates, and boosted farmer and business confidence.
“We have made doubling exports over the next ten years a central goal, pursuing new trade agreements and trade missions, and our “Investment Boost" initiative has encouraged increased capital investment by local firms.
“Fixing the Resource Management Act and giving the rural sector in this province greater certainty to invest has also supported growth.
“While reforming the education and training sector, returning SIT to local control, and better aligning it with the skills needs of our local economy will continue to make a positive impact.
“I’m immensely proud of this achievement for Invercargill and Southland, and I am confident that this growth and positivity will continue to flourish in our province in the future.”
