Southland Social Science Fair - Celebrating 20 Years of Ideas & Inspiration!

Southland's Social Science Fair is a wonderful way of getting young people interested in their heritage - whether its ancestry, traditional industries or pastimes. Heritage South has been delighted to support the Fair for the last few years, contributing prizes for the Heritage category. Heritage South provide judges and, as Amy and Katie found this year, it's an inspirational experience!

This year’s Fair ran from 17–21 June 2025, showcasing an impressive 338 exhibits crafted by talented Year 5–13 students from across Southland. It was an extra special milestone, marking the Fair’s 20th anniversary!

A few words from one of the Heritage South judges, Amy McStay:

Katie Greene and Amy McStay, Heritage South Trustees, had the pleasure of judging the Heritage category this year. "We were impressed with the range of social science subjects. We judged on presentation, social science objectives and methods, and whether projects learnt, added or contributed to knowledge. However, what was awesome about the fair was seeing the full range of community aspirations, values and interests carried on through our children's social interests" says Amy. "Heritage is very broad and there were many projects centered around biographies, people, businesses, buildings, industry and the arts, which all define the culture and character of the south. There were lots of ideas inherited from the past and researched and questioned by entrants and now passed on to future generations. The result were fantastic projects that really share our heritage and that made our heritage visible and tangible" 

"It was very difficult to judge with such a huge range of great projects".

Results from this years fair ~ Heritage Section

1 Annie McCann JHC Junior H & J Smiths

2 Matilda Cappie Waihopai Six Weeks at Sea

M Bella Johnstone St Thomas Gold Fever

M Dale McIntyre Woodlands Nga Whare I Runga I Taku Pamu

M Eden McDowall Woodlands The Seaward Bush Branch Line

M Eli Burgess JHC Senior Operation Grapple

M Finley Clarke Hauroko Valley Buildings of Tuatapere

Image above: Amy McStay and Katie Green

Image top right: Amy and Katie with Lloyd Esler