Woodlands is a small town in the Southland region of New Zealand's South Island on the banks of the Waihopai River.^[3] It is northeast of Invercargill between Dacre and Longbush. Other nearby settlements are Rakahouka to the northwest and Rimu and Waituna to the south.

Woodlands is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 24.01 km² (9.27 sq mi),^[1] and had an estimated population of 300 as of June 2023,^[2] with a population density of 12 people per km². It is part of the wider Edendale-Woodlands statistical area.^[4]

Woodlands had a population of 273 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 12 people (4.6%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 18 people (7.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 111 households, comprising 141 males and 135 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.04 males per female, with 51 people (18.7%) aged under 15 years, 39 (14.3%) aged 15 to 29, 144 (52.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 42 (15.4%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 87.9% European/Pākehā, 12.1% Māori, 1.1% Pasifika, and 7.7% Asian. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 46.2% had no religion, 45.1% were Christian, 1.1% had Māori religious beliefs and 2.2% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 27 (12.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 54 (24.3%) people had no formal qualifications. 33 people (14.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 132 (59.5%) people were employed full-time, 33 (14.9%) were part-time, and 12 (5.4%) were unemployed.^[5]

The town is located on State Highway 1 and the Main South Line portion of the South Island Main Trunk Railway. The railway has been freight-only since the cancellation of the Southerner passenger express on 10 February 2002. During the construction of the Main South Line, Woodlands was briefly a railway terminus. The first section of the line out of Invercargill was opened to Woodlands on 11 February 1874. On 7 June 1875, the next section beyond Woodlands was opened to Mataura via Edendale.^[6]

A number of Woodlands residents fought overseas in World War I. A memorial to those who died stands in the town.^[7]

Woodlands Full Primary School caters for years 1 to 8^[8] with a roll of 92 students as of February 2024.^[9] The school opened in 1871.^[10]