The Southland Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand was formed in 1860. It merged with four other presbyteries in the south of the South Island to form the Southern Presbytery in 2010. This book records the key people and events that took place during these 150 years.

34 parishes were established from Te Anau in the north to Oban on Stewart Island in the south. Churches arose to meet the needs of local communities. Lay people offered faithful service, supporting ordained ministers, who were appointed as the churches flourished and finances allowed.

While membership of some churches grew, over time, many churches and parishes dwindled to the point they were no longer able to support paid clergy. Local churches, in both city and rural settings, often found it hard to amalgamate with neighbouring churches as they perceived they had little in common.
The book records the many ways the leadership of Presbytery supported parishes to restructure and remain viable.
The final 20 years of the life of Southland Presbytery has been researched and collated in this publication, recording the many challenges and changes that took place over that time.

Contents
Preface
Chapter 1 – 150 years: Parishes of Southland Presbytery 1860–2010
The Settlement of the Free Church of Scotland Presbyterians) in Southland
Riverton – 40kms west of Invercargill city centre
Oban, Halfmoon Bay, Stewart Island – 40 kms south by sea from Bluff
First Church – Invercargill city centre
Bluff / Greenhills – 28 kms south of Invercargill city centre
Wallacetown – 15 kms north-west of Invercargill
Woodlands (Longbush) – 20kms east of Invercargill centre.
St Stephen's – 4 kms north of Invercargill city centre
St Paul's, Invercargill – 1.5 kms north of city centre
Winton – 40kms north of Invercargill
Centre Bush – 50kms north of Invercargill
Taringatura (Lumsden) - 80kms north of Invercargill
Forest Hill – 35 kms north-east of Invercargill
Hedgehope – 45 kms north-east of Invercargill
Limestone Plains – 25-40 kms northwest of Invercargill city centre
St. Andrew's, Invercargill – 4 kms south of city centre
Fortrose (Toitois) – 50 kms east of Invercargill
Otautau / Waiono – 50-90 kms west north-west of Invercargill city centre
Waiau Valley – 80 kms west of Invercargill city centre
Oteramika / Kennington – 5 kms east of Invercargill
Knox, Invercargill – 1.5 kms south east of the city centre
North Invercargill – 5 kms north east of city centre
Te Anau – 180 kms north west of Invercargill
Waverley – 8 kms north-east of Invercargill city centre
St. David's – 4 kms south east of city centre
Mossburn – 100 kms north of Invercargill city centre
Otatara Community Church – 5 kms west of Invercargill city centre
Pacific Island Church, Invercargill – 2 kms south of city centre
Central Southland Presbyterian Parish
Windsor Community Church (Presbyterian) – 5 kms north-east of Invercargill city centre
Summary
Chapter 2 – Southland Presbytery 1865-1990
1990-2010
Committees of Presbytery
Standing Committee
Presbytery Executive
Business
Ministry and Pastoral Care
Parish Mission
Mission Overseas and Public Questions
2000-2010
Property and Finance
Southland Connections
Joint Regional Council – JRC
Photographs
Association of Presbyterian Women – APW
Southland...