View source for Invercargill

{{Short description|City in Southland, New Zealand}}
{{About||the electorate|Invercargill (New Zealand electorate)}}
<!-- {{Geolinks-start|-46.392411|168.310547}} -->
{{Use New Zealand English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name = Invercargill
|settlement_type = [[List of cities in New Zealand|City]]
|native_name = {{native name|mi|Waihōpai}}
|named_for = {{lang|gd|Inbhir}} – [[Scottish Gaelic]] for river's mouth and [[William Cargill (New Zealand politician)|William Cargill]]
|image_skyline = Spring in Esk Street - Invercargill.jpg
|imagesize = 
|image_caption = Spring in 2005, Esk Street, Invercargill
|nickname = 
|image_flag = 
|image_shield = File:Invercargill coat of arms.png
|shield_size = 
|shield_link =Invercargill City Council#Coat of arms
|motto = {{lang|la|Pro Communi Utilitate}} <br /> [[English language|English]]: "For the Benefit of the Community"<ref>https://icc.govt.nz/your-council/ Invercargill City Council, 'Your Council'</ref>
| image_map               = Invercargill in the South Island.svg
| mapsize                 =
| map_caption             = Invercargill in the [[South Island]]
|coordinates = {{Coord|46|24|47|S|168|20|51|E|display=title,inline}}
|subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name = New Zealand
|subdivision_type1 = [[List of islands of New Zealand|Island]]
|subdivision_type2 = [[Regions of New Zealand|Region]]
|subdivision_type3 = [[Community boards in New Zealand|Communities]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[South Island]]
|subdivision_name2 = [[Southland Region|Southland]]
|subdivision_name3 = Bluff
| established_title1 = Settled by Europeans
| established_date1 = 1853
|leader_title = [[Mayor of Invercargill|Mayor]]
|leader_name = [[Nobby Clark (politician)|Nobby Clark]]
|leader_title1 = Deputy Mayor
|leader_name1 = Tom Campbell
|leader_title2 = MPs
|leader_name2 = {{Plainlist|
* [[Penny Simmonds]] ([[New Zealand National Party|National]])
* [[Tākuta Ferris]] ([[Te Pāti Māori]])
}}
|leader_title3 = [[Territorial authorities of New Zealand|Territorial authority]]
|leader_name3 = [[Invercargill City Council]]
|total_type = Territorial
|area_total_km2 = 389.92
|area_urban_km2 = 62.95
|population_total = {{NZ population data 2018|Invercargill city|y}}
|population_as_of = {{NZ population data 2018|||y}}
|population_footnotes = {{NZ population data 2018||||y}}
|population_density_km2 = auto
|population_urban = {{NZ population data 2018||y}}
|population_density_urban_km2 = auto
|population_demonym = Invercargillite
|postal_code_type = [[Postcodes in New Zealand|Postcode(s)]]
|postal_code = 9810, 9812
|area_code = 03
|unemployment_rate = 
|website = {{Official URL}}
|timezone = [[Time in New Zealand|NZST]]
|utc_offset = +12
|timezone_DST = NZDT
|utc_offset_DST = +13
|blank_name = Local [[iwi]]
|blank_info = {{lang|mi|[[Ngāi Tahu]]|italic=no}}
}}
'''Invercargill''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|ɪ|n|v|ər|ˈ|k|ɑːr|ɡ|ᵻ|l}} {{respell|IN|vər|KAR|ghil}}, {{langx|mi|Waihōpai}})<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tetaurawhiri.govt.nz/english/resources_e/list_placenames.shtml |title=List of Place Names – Māori Language Resources |publisher=Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori – Māori Language Commission |access-date=16 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609033527/http://www.tetaurawhiri.govt.nz/english/resources_e/list_placenames.shtml |archive-date=9 June 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> is the southernmost and westernmost [[list of cities in New Zealand|city]] in New Zealand, and one of the [[Southernmost settlements|southernmost]] cities in the world. It is the commercial centre of the [[Southland Region|Southland]] [[regions of New Zealand|region]]. The city lies in the heart of the wide expanse of the [[Southland Plains]] to the east of the [[Ōreti River|Ōreti or New River]] some {{convert|18|km|abbr=in}} north of [[Bluff, New Zealand|Bluff]], which is the southernmost town in the [[South Island]]. It sits amid rich farmland that is bordered by large areas of conservation land and marine reserves, including [[Fiordland National Park]] covering the south-west corner of the South Island and the [[Catlins]] coastal region.

Many streets in the city, especially in the centre and main shopping district, are named after rivers in Scotland. These include the main streets [[River Dee, Aberdeenshire|Dee]] and [[River Tay|Tay]], as well as those named after the [[River Tweed|Tweed]], [[River Forth|Forth]], [[River Tyne, Scotland|Tyne]], [[River Esk, Dumfries and Galloway|Esk]], [[River Don, Aberdeenshire|Don]], [[River Ness|Ness]], [[Yarrow Water|Yarrow]], [[River Spey|Spey]], [[Eye Water|Eye]] and [[River Ythan|Ythan]] rivers, amongst others.

The 2018 census showed the population was 54,204, up 2.7% on the 2006 census number and up 4.8% on the 2013 census number.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/2018-census-population-and-dwelling-counts|title=2018 Census population and dwelling counts &#124; Stats NZ|access-date=9 March 2020|archive-date=7 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307170544/https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/2018-census-population-and-dwelling-counts/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Toponymy==
''[[Aber and Inver (placename elements)|Inver]]'' comes from the [[Scottish Gaelic]] word {{lang|gd|inbhir}} meaning 'a river's mouth' and ''Cargill'' is in honour of Captain [[William Cargill (New Zealand politician)|William Cargill]], who was at the time the Superintendent of [[Otago Province|Otago]], of which Southland was then a part.<ref name="Wright224">Wright (2009), p. 224</ref>

The [[Māori language|Māori]] name for the city, {{lang|mi|Waihōpai}},<ref>{{cite web|title=Waihōpai |url=https://maoridictionary.co.nz/word/9041 |website=maoridictionary.co.nz |publisher=Te Aka Māori Dictionary |access-date=9 June 2024}}</ref> comes from the [[Waihopai River (Southland)|Waihopai River]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Waihopai |url=https://kahurumanu.co.nz/atlas?find=%7B1205fd22-4152-e311-8212-005056970030%7D |website=kahurumanu.co.nz |publisher=Kā Huru Manu |access-date=9 June 2024 |archive-date=9 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609030252/https://kahurumanu.co.nz/atlas?find=%7B1205fd22-4152-e311-8212-005056970030%7D |url-status=live }}</ref> It may be a corruption of {{lang|mi|Waiopai}}, meaning {{lang|mi|wai}} ('water or stream') of Pai.<ref>{{cite web |title=Waihopai |url=https://gazetteer.linz.govt.nz/place/45729 |website=gazetteer.linz.govt.nz |publisher=[[LINZ]] |access-date=9 June 2024 |archive-date=9 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609030252/https://gazetteer.linz.govt.nz/place/45729 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Post Office, Invercargill. ATLIB 289937.png|thumb|Invercargill Post Office at centre and the McKay & Aitchison, Arcade Auction Mart, auctioneers and valuers on right, 1926]]
[[File:Civic Theatre in Invercargill, New Zealand.JPG|thumb|Civic Theatre, the town hall of Invercargill – built in 1906.]]

Southland was the scene of early extended contact between Europeans and Māori, notably whalers and missionaries – [[Johan Wohlers|Wohlers]] at [[Ruapuke Island]].<ref name="Wright61">Wright (2009), p. 61</ref> In 1853, [[Walter Mantell]] purchased [[Murihiku]] from local Māori [[iwi]], claiming the land for European settlement.<ref name="Wright140">Wright (2009), p. 140</ref> [[Otago]], of which Southland was itself part, was the subject of planned settlement by the [[Free Church of Scotland (1843-1900)|Free Church of Scotland]], an offshoot of the [[Church of Scotland]].<ref name="King171">King (2003), p. 170</ref> Settlement broadened with the discovery of gold in [[Central Otago]] in the 1860s. Traces of Scottish speech persist in Southland voices, with R often pronounced with a rolling burr. This is more noticeable among country people.

In 1856, a petition was put forward to [[Thomas Gore Browne]], the [[Governor-General of New Zealand|Governor of New Zealand]], for a port at Bluff. During the Otago gold rush, the region's population grew during the 1860s with the settlement of [[Bluff, New Zealand|Bluff]].<ref name="Wright148">Wright (2009), p. 148</ref> Browne agreed to the petition and gave the name Invercargill to the settlement north of the port. The settlement's chief surveyor was [[John Turnbull Thomson]], a British civil engineer.<ref name=stimes>{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Fallow |title=Southern historian John Hall-Jones dies |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/74293425/Southern-historian-John-Hall-Jones-dies |work=[[Southland Times]] |date=23 November 2015 |access-date=15 December 2015 |archive-date=15 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180415132046/https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/74293425/Southern-historian-John-Hall-Jones-dies |url-status=live }}</ref>

Under the influence of [[James Alexander Robertson Menzies|James Menzies]], Southland Province (a small part of the present Region, centred on Invercargill) seceded from Otago in 1861 following the escalation of political tensions. However, rising debt forced Southland to rejoin Otago in 1870 and the provincial system, and with it the province of Otago, was abolished entirely in 1876.<ref name="Wright237">Wright (2009), p. 237</ref> This debt was caused by a population decline stemming from poor returns from pastoral farming. In 1874, Invercargill's population was less than 2,500, which reflected the drift north to large centres.<ref name="Wright237" /> In the 1880s, the development of an export industry based on butter and cheese encouraged the growth of [[dairy farming]] in Southland.<ref name="King238">King (203), p. 238</ref>

On 6 August 1884, a group of women gathered together in the Don Street Primitive Methodist Church to form a local branch of the [[Woman's Christian Temperance Union]]. [[Eliza Ann Brown]], wife of Charles W. Brown (who that same year co-founded the local [[Independent Order of Rechabites]]), led the group to establish eight main objectives, which included gathering signatures for a petition for women's suffrage.<ref>{{cite news |title=Women's Christian Temperance Union |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ST18840807.2.14 |access-date=16 January 2021 |work=(Invercargill) Southland Times |issue=4997 |publisher=Papers Past, National Library of New Zealand |date=7 August 1884 |archive-date=21 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121020554/https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ST18840807.2.14 |url-status=live }}</ref> This was the first all-women's organisation established in New Zealand. After affiliating with the new national organisation, the Women's Christian Temperance Union of New Zealand, under the guidance of world missionary [[Mary Greenleaf Clement Leavitt|Mary C. Leavitt]], Roberta Annie Hinton, wife of the new Baptist minister, led the new club as it worked to strengthen the temperance movement in the area and support the needs of women and children across the nation.<ref>{{cite news |title=Women's Christian Temperance Union |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ST18850624.2.19 |access-date=16 January 2021 |work=(Invercargill) Southland Times |issue=8042 |publisher=Papers Past, National Library of New Zealand |date=24 June 1885}}</ref> By 1897, a founding member of this first branch of the WCTU Invercargill, Mrs. Elizabeth Stephen Baird, led the establishment of the Victoria Home for Friendless Girls.<ref>{{cite journal |title=In Memoriam |journal=The White Ribbon |date=18 December 1926 |volume=32 |issue=377 |page=3 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/WHIRIB19261218.2.4 |access-date=16 January 2021}}</ref>

In December 1905, Invercargill voted in local [[prohibition]] of alcohol sales. This lasted for 40 years until voted out by returning servicemen in the [[Second World War]]. Drinking continued meanwhile, thanks to hotels and liquor merchants in outlying districts, huge volumes of beer, often in kegs, brought to private homes, or sold by the glass by keggers at hiding spots round the city. When prohibition ended, a committee of citizens persuaded the Government to give the monopoly on liquor sales in Invercargill to the specially formed [[Invercargill Licensing Trust]]. Based on a scheme in [[Carlisle, Cumbria|Carlisle]], England, it returns profits to city amenities. Even today, alcohol is not sold in supermarkets.{{Citation needed|date=April 2025|reason=multiple factual statements in this paragraph need citations}}

Publicity was brought to the city by the election of [[Tim Shadbolt]], a colourful and outspoken former student activist and former mayor of [[Waitemata City]], as mayor. His supporters liked the colour he brought to the city. His opponents referred to his controversial mayoral career in the [[Auckland]] suburbs and to his attitude to veterans during his opposition to the [[Vietnam War]]. Publicity and students have also been drawn to the city by the [[Southern Institute of Technology]]'s "Zero Fees" scheme, which allows New Zealand citizens and permanent residents to study while only paying for material costs of their study, and not tuition fees.{{Citation needed|date=April 2025|reason=multiple claims in this paragraph need citations}}

==Geography==
{{more citations needed section|date=June 2018}}
[[File:ISS Invercargill.jpg|thumb|Invercargill pictured from the [[International Space Station]]]]
[[File:Parque De La Reina, Invercargill, Nueva Zelanda - panoramio (3).jpg|thumb|[[Queens Park, Invercargill|Queens Park]]]]
Invercargill is the southernmost city in the [[Commonwealth of Nations]]. Invercargill is situated on the fertile and alluvial [[Southland Plains]], which is amongst some of New Zealand's most fertile farmland. Southern Invercargill lies on the shore of the [[Ōreti River|New River Estuary]], while the northern parts lie on the banks of the [[Waihopai River (Southland)|Waihopai River]]. The Otepuni Stream or Creek, which flows from east to west through the city, through '''Otepuni Gardens''', and under the railway yards. 10 kilometres west of the city centre lies [[Oreti Beach]], a long expanse of sand stretching from the Sandy Point area to nearby [[Riverton, New Zealand|Riverton]].

Owing to its relatively high latitude (46° 24′), the city enjoys nearly 16 hours of daylight at the summer [[solstice]] in late December, with [[night|astronomical night]] lasting as little as 2.5 hours. Conversely, the city receives only around 8.5 hours of daylight at the winter solstice in late June.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sunrise and sunset times in Invercargill|url=https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/new-zealand/invercargill|access-date=2021-01-15|website=www.timeanddate.com|language=en|archive-date=22 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622170229/https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/new-zealand/invercargill|url-status=live}}</ref>

Invercargill is the "City of Water and Light". The "light" refers to the long summer twilights and the [[aurora australis]] (southern lights). The "water" reference, humorists suggest, comes from notorious horizontal, driving rain in high wind at the corner of the two main streets, Dee and Tay. A recent sign also states, "Invercargill, where dreams can come true" with an image from the 2005 film ''[[The World's Fastest Indian]]''.

===Suburbs===
{{category see also|Suburbs of Invercargill}}
==== Inner Invercargill suburbs ====
{{Div col|colwidth=10em}}
* [[Appleby, Invercargill|Appleby]]
* [[Avenal, New Zealand|Avenal]]
* [[Clifton, Invercargill|Clifton]]
* [[Georgetown, Southland|Georgetown]]
* [[Gladstone, Invercargill|Gladstone]]
* [[Glengarry, New Zealand|Glengarry]]
* [[Grasmere, New Zealand|Grasmere]]
* [[Hargest, New Zealand|Hargest]]
* [[Hawthorndale]]
* [[Heidelberg, New Zealand|Heidelberg]]
* [[Invercargill Central]]
* [[Kew, Invercargill|Kew]]
* [[Kingswell, New Zealand|Kingswell]]
* [[Newfield, New Zealand|Newfield]]
* [[Prestonville, New Zealand|Prestonville]]
* [[Richmond, Invercargill|Richmond]]
* [[Rockdale, New Zealand|Rockdale]]
* [[Rosedale, Invercargill|Rosedale]]
* [[Strathern, New Zealand|Strathern]]
* [[Waikiwi]]
* [[Waverley, Invercargill|Waverley]]
* [[West Invercargill]]
* [[Windsor, Invercargill|Windsor]]
{{Div col end}}

==== Outer Invercargill localities ====
{{Div col|colwidth=10em}}
* [[Awarua, Invercargill|Awarua]]
* [[Awarua Plains]]
* [[Bluff, New Zealand|Bluff]]<sup>1</sup>
* [[Greenhills, New Zealand|Greenhills]]
* [[Greenpoint, New Zealand|Greenpoint]]
* [[Kennington, New Zealand|Kennington]]
* [[Lorneville, New Zealand|Lorneville]]
* [[Makarewa, New Zealand|Makarewa]]
* [[Motu Rimu]]
* [[Myross Bush]]
* [[Omaui]]
* [[Oreti Beach]]
* [[Otatara]]<sup>1</sup>
* [[Sandy Point, New Zealand|Sandy Point]]
* [[Seaward Bush]]
* [[Taramoa]]
* [[Tisbury, New Zealand|Tisbury]]
* [[Tiwai Point]]
* [[Underwood, Invercargill|Underwood]]
* [[Wallacetown, Invercargill|Wallacetown]]<sup>1</sup>
* [[West Plains, New Zealand|West Plains]]
* [[Waimatua]]
* [[Woodend, Southland|Woodend]]
{{Div col end}}

<sup>1</sup> - major settlement

===Climate===
Invercargill has a [[temperate]] [[oceanic climate]]. The mean daily temperature ranges from {{convert|5.2|°C|°F}} in July to {{convert|14|°C|°F}} in January. The yearly mean temperature is {{convert|9.8|°C|°F}}. Rainfall averages {{convert|1112|mm|inch}} annually, and measurable snowfall is occasionally seen during the winter months of June to September. It ties with neighbouring [[Dunedin]] as the cloudiest city in New Zealand, with only 1,680 hours of sunshine per annum. Despite its cloudiness, and a relatively high frequency of rainy days, Invercargill receives less rain than either Auckland or Wellington. Invercargill is also New Zealand's second-windiest city, after Wellington.
The average temperature high ranges from {{convert|18.7|°C|°F}} in January to {{convert|9.5|°C|°F}} in July, but temperatures do occasionally exceed {{convert|25|°C|°F|0}} in summer. Invercargill's hottest temperature on record was {{convert|33.8|°C|°F}}, recorded on 2 January 1948.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Zealand Climate Summary: January 2018|url=https://www.niwa.co.nz/sites/niwa.co.nz/files/Climate_Summary_January_2018_Final.pdf|website=NIWA|access-date=31 March 2018}}</ref> 

Extended periods of heat are rare; however, January 2018 was notable for the city recording three consecutive days above 30 for the first time in its recorded history, peaking with the city's second-highest temperature on record of {{convert|32.3|°C|°F}} on 14 January 2018.<ref>{{cite web|title=Invercargill has hottest day on record at 32.3°C|url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/348068/invercargill-has-hottest-day-on-record-at-32-point-3-degreesc|website=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=14 January 2018|access-date=14 January 2018|archive-date=14 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114062929/https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/348068/invercargill-has-hottest-day-on-record-at-32-point-3-degreesc|url-status=live}}</ref> Like other urban areas in New Zealand, Invercargill sometimes experiences an [[urban heat island]] effect; temperatures are slightly higher within the inner-city regions compared to the surrounding countryside. This is typically between 1-2°C and depends on factors like wind speed and cloud cover.<ref>{{cite web|title=Performance-Policy-and-Partnerships-Committee-Agenda: November 2024|url=https://icc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-05-24-EO-Performance-Policy-and-Partnerships-Committee-Agenda-v3.pdf|website=ICC|access-date=2 November 2024|archive-date=29 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329104730/https://icc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-05-24-EO-Performance-Policy-and-Partnerships-Committee-Agenda-v3.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 

In September 2010, Invercargill's heaviest snowfall in living memory heralded a run of unseasonably cold weather. A few buildings were damaged, notably [[Stadium Southland]], the roof of which collapsed under the weight of the snow; and a decorating store. Many other stores were shut, and [[Invercargill Airport]] was closed for a day.<ref name="Stuff.co.nz_4144269">{{cite web | url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/4144269/Stadium-ruined-more-snow-coming | title=Stadium ruined, more snow coming | first1=Mark | last1=Hotton | first2=Scot | last2=MacKay | date=20 September 2010 | work=[[The Southland Times]] | publisher=Fairfax | access-date=5 October 2011 | archive-date=13 June 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613233114/http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/4144269/Stadium-ruined-more-snow-coming | url-status=live }}</ref> Invercargill is one of four places in New Zealand where [[weather balloons]] are regularly launched for [[MetService]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 December 2014 |title=Weather balloons |url=https://blog.metservice.com/weather-balloons |access-date=2 February 2025 |work=[[MetService]]}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Invercargill (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1905–present)
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
| Jan record high C = 33.8
| Feb record high C = 32.1
| Mar record high C = 30.4
| Apr record high C = 26.1
| May record high C = 23.8
| Jun record high C = 19.4
| Jul record high C = 20.6
| Aug record high C = 21.8
| Sep record high C = 23.3
| Oct record high C = 25.9
| Nov record high C = 28.3
| Dec record high C = 31.1
| year record high C = 33.8
| Jan avg record high C  = 26.9
| Feb avg record high C  = 26.6
| Mar avg record high C  = 24.9
| Apr avg record high C  = 21.4
| May avg record high C  = 18.3
| Jun avg record high C  = 14.8
| Jul avg record high C  = 14.7
| Aug avg record high C  = 16.4
| Sep avg record high C  = 19.4
| Oct avg record high C  = 21.8
| Nov avg record high C  = 23.5
| Dec avg record high C  = 26.1
| year avg record high C = 28.6
|Jan high C = 	18.9
|Feb high C = 	18.7
|Mar high C = 	17.5
|Apr high C = 	15.0
|May high C = 	12.5
|Jun high C = 	10.0
|Jul high C = 	9.6
|Aug high C = 	11.1
|Sep high C = 	13.0
|Oct high C = 	14.4
|Nov high C = 	15.8
|Dec high C = 	17.9
| year high C = 	14.5
|Jan mean C = 	14.2
|Feb mean C = 	14.1
|Mar mean C = 	12.7
|Apr mean C = 	10.5
|May mean C = 	8.3
|Jun mean C = 	6.0
|Jul mean C = 	5.4
|Aug mean C = 	6.6
|Sep mean C = 	8.5
|Oct mean C = 	10.0
|Nov mean C = 	11.3
|Dec mean C = 	13.3
| year mean C = 	10.1
|Jan low C = 	9.5
|Feb low C = 	9.4
|Mar low C = 	7.8
|Apr low C = 	6.0
|May low C = 	4.1
|Jun low C = 	2.0
|Jul low C = 	1.1
|Aug low C = 	2.2
|Sep low C = 	3.9
|Oct low C = 	5.5
|Nov low C = 	6.9
|Dec low C = 	8.6
| year low C = 	5.6
| Jan avg record low C  = 4.0
| Feb avg record low C  = 3.2
| Mar avg record low C  = 1.7
| Apr avg record low C  = -0.4
| May avg record low C  = -1.6
| Jun avg record low C  = -3.4
| Jul avg record low C  = -4.6
| Aug avg record low C  = -3.4
| Sep avg record low C  = -1.4
| Oct avg record low C  = 0.1
| Nov avg record low C  = 1.4
| Dec avg record low C  = 3.0
| year avg record low C = -4.9
|Jan record low C  = -0.9
|Feb record low C  = -2.4
|Mar record low C  = -2.4
|Apr record low C  = -4.9
|May record low C  =  -6.9
|Jun record low C  = -7.4
|Jul record low C  = -9.1
|Aug record low C  = -8.0
|Sep record low C  = -4.5
|Oct record low C  = -3.2
|Nov record low C  = -2.0
|Dec record low C  = -1.1
|year record low C = -9.1
|rain colour = green	
|Jan rain mm = 	88.7
|Feb rain mm = 	74.2
|Mar rain mm = 	91.8
|Apr rain mm = 	89.5
|May rain mm = 	108.4
|Jun rain mm = 	95.1
|Jul rain mm = 	88.0
|Aug rain mm = 	70.4
|Sep rain mm = 	90.4
|Oct rain mm = 	106.2
|Nov rain mm = 	101.7
|Dec rain mm = 	92.9
|year rain mm = 	
| Jan rain days = 	12.6
| Feb rain days = 	10.6
| Mar rain days = 	11.9
| Apr rain days = 	12.1
| May rain days = 	14.7
| Jun rain days = 	15.4
| Jul rain days = 	14.4
| Aug rain days = 	12.3
| Sep rain days = 	13.5
| Oct rain days = 	15.4
| Nov rain days = 	14.4
| Dec rain days = 	13.3
| unit rain days = 1.0 mm	
|Jan sun = 	200.1
|Feb sun = 	175.7
|Mar sun = 	152.2
|Apr sun = 	123.4
|May sun = 	94.6
|Jun sun = 	82.9
|Jul sun = 	101.3
|Aug sun = 	125.5
|Sep sun = 	145.7
|Oct sun = 	175.4
|Nov sun = 	186.2
|Dec sun = 	201.6
|year sun = 	
| Jan percentsun  =42
| Feb percentsun  =44
| Mar percentsun  =40
| Apr percentsun  =38
| May percentsun  =32
| Jun percentsun  =32
| Jul percentsun  =36
| Aug percentsun  =40
| Sep percentsun  =41
| Oct percentsun  =42
| Nov percentsun  =42
| Dec percentsun  =41
| year percentsun =
| Jan light = 15.3
| Feb light = 14.0
| Mar light = 12.4
| Apr light = 10.7
| May light = 9.4
| Jun light = 8.7
| Jul light = 9.0
| Aug light = 10.2
| Sep light = 11.8
| Oct light = 13.4
| Nov light = 14.9
| Dec light = 15.7
| year light=
| Jan humidity = 	81.6
| Feb humidity = 	85.4
| Mar humidity = 	86.7
| Apr humidity = 	86.2
| May humidity = 	88.1
| Jun humidity = 	88.4
| Jul humidity = 	88.6
| Aug humidity = 	88.1
| Sep humidity = 	82.5
| Oct humidity = 	81.8
| Nov humidity = 	79.4
| Dec humidity = 	78.9
|source 1 = NIWA Climate Data<ref name = NIWA>{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240520001949/https://niwa.co.nz/climate-and-weather/climate-data-and-activities
| archive-date = 20 May 2024
| url = https://niwa.co.nz/climate-and-weather/climate-data-and-activities
| title = Climate data and activities
| publisher= NIWA
| access-date = 20 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url = https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/
|title = CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent numbers: 5812, 5813, 5814, 11104, 12444)
|publisher = NIWA
|access-date = 20 Jun 2024
|archive-date = 10 March 2020
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200310121410/https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/
|url-status = live
}}</ref>
|source 2 = Météo Climat<ref>{{cite web|url=http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/index.php?page=stati&id=676|title=Météo climat stats Records for Invercargill|publisher=Météo Climat|access-date=25 March 2017}}</ref> Weather Spark<ref>{{cite web
|url = https://weatherspark.com/y/144786/Average-Weather-in-Invercargill-New-Zealand-Year-Round
|title = Climate and Average Weather Year Round in Invercargill
|publisher = Weather Spark
|access-date = 10 Dec 2024
|archive-date = 14 August 2024
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240814035028/https://weatherspark.com/y/144786/Average-Weather-in-Invercargill-New-Zealand-Year-Round
|url-status = live
}}</ref>

}}

{{wide image|Invercargill Panorama.jpg|900px|Panorama of Invercargill from the city's historic watertower. [[Queen's Park, Invercargill|Queen's Park]] can be seen toward the right of the image.}}

{{Geographic Location
|title     = '''Neighbouring cities, towns and places'''
|Northwest = [[Te Anau]] and [[Fiordland National Park]]
|North     = [[Winton, New Zealand|Winton]] and [[Queenstown, New Zealand|Queenstown]]
|Northeast = [[Gore, New Zealand|Gore]] and [[Dunedin]]
|West      = [[Riverton, New Zealand|Riverton]] and [[Fiordland National Park]]
|Centre    = Invercargill
|East      = [[The Catlins]]
|South     = [[Bluff, New Zealand|Bluff]]
}}

==Demographics==
The Invercargill City territorial authority covers {{Convert|389.92|km2||abbr=on}}<ref name="Area">{{Cite web|title=ArcGIS Web Application|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787|access-date=25 April 2024|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com|archive-date=24 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324152440/https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787|url-status=live}}</ref> and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Invercargill city|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Invercargill city|y}}|R}}/389.92|0}} people per km<sup>2</sup>. This comprises {{NZ population data 2018|Invercargill|y}} people in the Invercargill urban area, {{NZ population data 2018|Bluff|y}} people in the [[Bluff, New Zealand|Bluff]] urban area, and {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Invercargill city|y}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Invercargill|y}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Bluff|y}}|R}}|0}} people in the surrounding settlements and rural area.

{{Historical populations|2006|50,325|2013|51,696|2018|54,204|2023|55,599|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=<ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|Invercargill City (075)|invercargill-city|Invercargill City}}</ref><ref name="Census 2023"/>}}
[[File:2023 NZ Census Population Density - Invercargill City.png|thumb|Population density in the 2023 census]]
Invercargill City had a population of 55,599 in the [[2023 New Zealand census]], an increase of 1,395 people (2.6%) since the [[2018 New Zealand census|2018 census]], and an increase of 3,903 people (7.5%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]]. There were 27,255 males, 28,137 females and 210 people of [[non-binary gender|other genders]] in 22,326 dwellings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.075.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}}</ref> 3.1% of people identified as [[LGBTQ|LGBTIQ+]]. The median age was 40.0 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 10,233 people (18.4%) aged under 15 years, 10,035 (18.0%) aged 15 to 29, 25,083 (45.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 10,251 (18.4%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 82.2% [[European New Zealanders|European]] ([[Pākehā]]); 19.4% [[Māori people|Māori]]; 4.7% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]]; 7.6% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]]; 1.3% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.5% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.1%, Māori language by 3.7%, Samoan by 0.8% and other languages by 7.8%. No language could be spoken by 1.9% (e.g. too young to talk). [[New Zealand Sign Language]] was known by 0.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 14.8, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 33.0% [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 1.1% [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]], 0.6% [[Islam in New Zealand|Islam]], 0.6% [[Māori religious beliefs]], 0.6% [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]], 0.4% [[New Age]],  and 1.3% other religions. People who answered that they had [[Irreligion in New Zealand|no religion]] were 54.6%, and 8.1% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 5,988 (13.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 25,002 (55.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 12,597 (27.8%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $39,900, compared with $41,500 nationally. 3,627 people (8.0%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 23,430 (51.6%) people were employed full-time, 6,246 (13.8%) were part-time, and 1,167 (2.6%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2023">{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.075.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Invercargill City (075)}}</ref>

===Urban area===
The Invercargill urban area covers {{Convert|62.95|km2||abbr=on}}<ref name="Area"/> and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Invercargill|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Invercargill|y}}|R}}/62.95|0}} people per km<sup>2</sup>.
{{Historical populations|2013|45,531|2018|47,844|2023|48,987|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=<ref name="Census 2023 UA"/>}}
Invercargill had a population of 48,987 in the [[2023 New Zealand census]], an increase of 1,143 people (2.4%) since the [[2018 New Zealand census|2018 census]], and an increase of 3,456 people (7.6%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]]. There were 23,877 males, 24,930 females and 183 people of [[non-binary gender|other genders]] in 19,752 dwellings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.2278.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}}</ref> 3.2% of people identified as [[LGBTQ|LGBTIQ+]]. The median age was 39.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 9,048 people (18.5%) aged under 15 years, 9,120 (18.6%) aged 15 to 29, 21,783 (44.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 9,036 (18.4%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023 UA"/>

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 81.4% [[European New Zealanders|European]] ([[Pākehā]]); 18.8% [[Māori people|Māori]]; 4.9% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]]; 8.3% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]]; 1.4% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.4% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.9%, Māori language by 3.8%, Samoan by 0.8% and other languages by 8.4%. No language could be spoken by 2.0% (e.g. too young to talk). [[New Zealand Sign Language]] was known by 0.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 15.6, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 33.4% [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 1.2% [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]], 0.7% [[Islam in New Zealand|Islam]], 0.6% [[Māori religious beliefs]], 0.6% [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]], 0.4% [[New Age]],  and 1.3% other religions. People who answered that they had [[Irreligion in New Zealand|no religion]] were 54.1%, and 7.9% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 5,388 (13.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 21,870 (54.8%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 11,079 (27.7%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $39,500, compared with $41,500 nationally. 3,042 people (7.6%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 20,550 (51.5%) people were employed full-time, 5,400 (13.5%) were part-time, and 1,053 (2.6%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2023 UA">{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.2278.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Invercargill (2278)}}</ref>

==Government==

===Local===
{{Main|Invercargill City Council|Mayor of Invercargill}}
The [[Invercargill City Council]] governs the territorial authority of Invercargill. It is made up of an elected mayor and 12 additional councillors. They are elected under the [[First Past the Post]] system in triennial elections, with the last election being held in [[2022 New Zealand local elections|2022]]. The current mayor is [[Nobby Clark (politician)|Nobby Clark]].

[[File:Invercargill water tower.jpg|thumb|upright|Invercargill Water Tower]]

===National===
The electorate of [[Invercargill (New Zealand electorate)|Invercargill]] in the [[New Zealand Parliament]] is held by [[Penny Simmonds]], a Member of Parliament and Minister from the government party [[New Zealand National Party|National Party]]. Under the [[Māori electorates]] system, Invercargill is part of the large [[Te Tai Tonga (New Zealand electorate)|Te Tai Tonga]] electorate, which covers the entire South Island and the surrounding islands, and is currently held by the [[Te Pāti Māori]] MP [[Tākuta Ferris]].

==Economy==
Invercargill is home to the [[Southern Institute of Technology]],<ref name="Kirkpatrick48">Russell Kirkpatrick (2005), plate 48</ref> which has introduced a zero-fees scheme.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/southland-region/10|title=Southland region – Government, education and health|last=Grant|first=David|date=2 March 2009|publisher=Te Ara|access-date=2 November 2010|archive-date=10 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101010084051/http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/southland-region/10|url-status=live}}</ref> The scheme was partly responsible for rejuvenating the city when it was in a steady state of population decline. However the major factor in Invercargill's regrowth is the dairy industrial boom of the 2000s (decade) due to an increased demand for New Zealand milk, cheese and butter. New dairy factories have opened around the Southland Region, as well as more efficient [[meat processing]] works and research and development facilities.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/southland-region/8|title=Southland region – Farming: 1950s to present day|last=Grant|first=David |date=2 March 2009|publisher=Te Ara|access-date=2 November 2010}}</ref>

===Liquor licensing trusts===
The [[Invercargill Licensing Trust]] is one of several trusts in the city of Invercargill. The Invercargill Licensing Trust and the ILT Foundation are major funders of community projects in Invercargill. The ILT Foundation provides donations and grants totalling around $10&nbsp;million a year to over 500 organisations. The trust has also been influential in the development of city facilities such as the [[Stadium Southland|ILT Stadium Southland]] and [[Invercargill ILT Velodrome|Invercargill Velodrome]]. The trust are also big-time backers of local sporting franchises the [[Southern Steel (netball)|Southern Steel]], [[Southland Sharks]] and [[Southland Stags]].

The Community Trust of Southland was established after [[Westpac]] bought out the Trust Bank Southland in the late 1990s. It was sold for approximately $150&nbsp;million, with those funds now being set aside for the people of the Southland regions, including [[Queenstown, New Zealand|Queenstown]], [[Arrowtown]] and Tapanui. It is widely recognised as one of New Zealand's leading community trusts, with the benefit of a large capital base for a relatively small population. Consequently, the Trust provides significant funding to a wide range of projects and programmes. Each year, it distributes between $7 and $10&nbsp;million in the region, not including the large sums given to sports franchises and building projects and since its inception has distributed close to $140&nbsp;million in grants. {{Citation needed|date=March 2020}}

===Brewing===
Invercargill was home to [[Invercargill Brewery]], the southernmost manufacturer of [[beer in New Zealand]]. Established in 1999, it was an internationally award-winning production brewery which also contract brews for other iconic New Zealand breweries, including [[Yeastie Boys]]. The company went into receivership in 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/business/new-name-fresh-start-brewery|title=New name a fresh start for brewery|work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=9 November 2018|first=Simon|last=Hartley|archive-date=4 January 2025|access-date=2 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104012740/https://www.odt.co.nz/business/new-name-fresh-start-brewery|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Tourism===
Invercargill is on the [[Southern Scenic Route]] (tourist road), allowing day trips to [[Queenstown, New Zealand|Queenstown]], [[Stewart Island]], [[Dunedin]], [[Te Anau]] and [[Fiordland]],<ref name="Grant">{{cite web |last=Grant |first=David |date=2 March 2009 |title=Southland region – Transport, power and other advances |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/southland-region/7 |access-date=2 November 2010 |publisher=Te Ara |archive-date=25 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091025043513/http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/southland-region/7 |url-status=live }}</ref> and has a growing tourism sector in the city itself. Transport-themed attractions include the [[E Hayes and Sons]] hardware store that features [[Burt Munro]]'s original motorcycle, the [[Bill Richardson Transport World]], [[Classic Motorcycle Mecca]], and Dig This.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/71345736/bill-richardson-transport-world-a-catalyst-for-tourism | title=Bill Richardson Transport World a "catalyst" for tourism | last=Pickett | first=Brittany | date=26 August 2015 | work=[[The Southland Times]] | publisher=Fairfax | access-date=22 March 2017 | archive-date=8 May 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170508225954/http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/71345736/bill-richardson-transport-world-a-catalyst-for-tourism | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=17 Of The Best Things To Do In Invercargill |url=https://www.theurbanlist.com/nz/a-list/things-to-do-in-invercargill |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=www.theurbanlist.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=12 August 2022 |title=20 Best Things to Do in Invercargill |url=https://nzpocketguide.com/5-invercargill-must-dos/ |access-date=19 January 2025 |website=NZ Pocket Guide |language=en-US |archive-date=24 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524095928/https://nzpocketguide.com/5-invercargill-must-dos/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Banking===
[[SBS Bank]], or the Southland Building Society, is a New Zealand-based financial institution that traces its roots back to 1869. Originally established as a building society in Invercargill by [[James Walker Bain]] to help local communities achieve their financial goals, SBS Bank has evolved into a full-service bank offering a wide range of banking and financial products. With its headquarters in Invercargill.

==Culture==

Murihiku Marae is located in Invercargill. It is a ''[[marae]]'' (meeting ground) of the Waihōpai Rūnanga branch of [[Ngāi Tahu]], and includes Te Rakitauneke ''[[wharenui]]'' (meeting house).<ref name="tkmentry">{{cite web|title=Te Kāhui Māngai directory|url=http://www.tkm.govt.nz/|website=tkm.govt.nz|publisher=[[Te Puni Kōkiri]]|access-date=19 June 2018|archive-date=18 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118064630/http://www.tkm.govt.nz/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="maorimaps">{{cite web |title=Māori Maps |url=https://maorimaps.com/map |website=maorimaps.com |publisher=Te Potiki National Trust |access-date=19 June 2018 |archive-date=22 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122131749/https://maorimaps.com/map |url-status=live }}</ref>

During the late 1880s a small periodical called ''Literary Southland'' contained stories as well as memoirs of the pioneering days of the region.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Invercargill Pioneers|last=Hall-Jones|first=F. G.|publisher=Southland Historical Committee|year=1946}}</ref> The publication was distributed from a store in the northern end of Invercargill. While largely forgotten today, it was considered relatively popular at the time, if at times controversial.<ref>{{Cite book|title=King of Counties|last=Miller|first=F.W.|publisher=Craig Printing Ltd.|year=1977}}</ref>

==Sport==
[[File:Rugby Park Invercargill.jpg|thumb|[[Rugby Park Stadium]]]]
The [[Southern Sting]] (Netball- Now Southern Steel) won seven National titles from 1999 to 2004, 2007, while the local rugby team the Southland Stags held the [[Ranfurly Shield]] from 22 October 2009 to 9 October 2010 and have made the NPC Semi-finals for the past three years. Southland also has one of the highest percentages of sports participants in the country, with codes such as [[rugby union]], [[netball]], basketball, [[cricket]], and [[field hockey|hockey]] being popular. Many professional sportsmen too, have come out of Southland as well. Invercargill also has some high quality sporting facilities, including an [[Invercargill ILT Velodrome|indoor velodrome]], an Olympic sized swimming centre, a [[Rugby Park Stadium|20,000 capacity rugby stadium]] and also international playing arenas for both hockey and cricket. The city's [[Stadium Southland|4500 capacity indoor stadium]] was severely damaged in 2010, its roof collapsing following a heavy snowfall.<ref name="stuff.co.nz">{{cite web | url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/4142995/Fear-as-roof-collapses | title=Fear as roof collapses | last=MacKay | first=Scot | date=18 September 2010 | work=[[The Southland Times]] | publisher=Fairfax | access-date=5 October 2011 | archive-date=13 June 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613224127/http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/4142995/Fear-as-roof-collapses | url-status=live }}</ref> Southland also has four professional sporting sides that are based in Invercargill:
* [[Southland Rugby Football Union|Southland Stags]] (Rugby)
* [[Southland Spirit FC|Spirit FC]] (Association Football)
* [[Southern Steel (netball)|Southern Steel]] (Netball)
* [[Southland Sharks]] (Basketball)

Invercargill is home to the only indoor cycling [[velodrome]] in the South Island. The indoor 250&nbsp;metres wooden velodrome is home to [[Track Cycling]] in Southland. The [[Invercargill Licensing Trust]] supports the velodrome which is situated at [[Stadium Southland]], a large indoor sports complex located at [[Surrey Park]].

For horse racing aficionados there is a racecourse in the aptly named Racecourse Road, on the east side of the city.

Two [[motorcycle speedway]] tracks are located within 1 kilometre of each other, and 10 kilometres west from the centre of the city by Oreti Beach. The [[Oreti Park Speedway]] and the Riverside Speedway both host important events, the former has held qualifying rounds of the [[Speedway World Championship]] in 1976 and 1983<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dlprezes.pl.tl/SPEEDWAY--_--Indywidualne-mistrzostwa-%26%23346%3Bwiata-----------k1-World-Speedway-Championship-k2-.htm |title=World Championship |website=Metal Speedway |access-date=3 February 2024 |archive-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128131020/https://dlprezes.pl.tl/SPEEDWAY--_--Indywidualne-mistrzostwa-%26%23346%3Bwiata-----------k1-World-Speedway-Championship-k2-.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.speedway.org/history/ |title=World Championship |website=Speedway.org |access-date=3 February 2024 |archive-date=10 September 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050910032243/http://www.speedway.org/history/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and the [[New Zealand Solo Championship]] six times.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historyspeedway.nstrefa.pl/indmnz.php |title=HISTORYCZNE ZESTAWIENIE WYNIKÓW 1929-2023 |website=Speedway History |access-date=3 February 2024 |archive-date=1 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201095000/http://www.historyspeedway.nstrefa.pl/indmnz.php |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Music==
The "[[Invercargill March]]", an internationally famous tune, was written by [[Alex Lithgow]], who attended Invercargill Grammar School (now Middle School). In his book ''Invercargill – 150 Years'', [[Lloyd Esler]]'s opening sentence reads, "Invercargill was done a fine favour by Alex Lithgow who named his famous march after his boyhood home. The Invercargill March is possibly the best advertisement the town has ever had as the work is a brass-band favourite and the word 'Invercargill' is whispered amongst audiences worldwide. There is only one Invercargill in the world – this one".

When Invercargill hosted the national brass band contest in 1909, Alex's brother Tom asked for a test piece for the contest and Alex offered this piece to the city. On the music he wrote,
{{blockquote|To Invercargill, the Southernmost City in New Zealand (End of the World), and its Citizens, I dedicate this March as a memento of the many pleasant years spent there in my boyhood.|Alex Lithgow}}

==Education==
{{Main|List of schools in the Southland Region}}
[[File:Tuatara southland museum invercargill new zealand.jpg|thumb|right|A [[tuatara]] at [[Southland Museum and Art Gallery]] ]]
===Tertiary===
The [[Southern Institute of Technology]] is a polytechnic based in Invercargill which provides undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications. The [[University of Otago]] College of Education has its southern–most campus in the city. The [[Southern Wings Aviation College]] operates from Invercargill Airport and provides aviation licence training and the New Zealand Diploma in Aviation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.southernwings.co.nz/|title=Pilot Training & Flight School|website=Southern Wings|access-date=6 October 2019|archive-date=6 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006044211/https://www.southernwings.co.nz/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Secondary schools===

All high schools in Invercargill are Year 7–13, following a [[Ministry of Education (New Zealand)|Ministry of Education]] review in 2004 that made most of Invercargill's primary schools Year 1–6, while also closing the three Year 7–8 schools Rosedale Intermediate, Collingwood Intermediate and Tweedsmuir Junior High. [[James Hargest College]] is in northern Invercargill with about 1,800 pupils.<ref name="Stuff.co.nz_3032599">{{cite news|last=Oldfield|first=Georgina|date=27 November 2019|title=Mike Newell appointed as new James Hargest College principal|work=[[The Southland Times]]|publisher=Fairfax|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/117689426/mike-newell-appointed-as-new-james-hargest-college-principal|access-date=21 May 2020|archive-date=28 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528114416/https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/117689426/mike-newell-appointed-as-new-james-hargest-college-principal|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Aurora College (Invercargill)|Aurora College]] was established in 2005, after Mount Anglem College was closed in 2004. In 2005 [[Southland Girls' High School]] became the first state Year 7–13 single-sex female school in New Zealand, and [[Southland Boys' High School]] became the first state Year 7–13 single-sex male school. [[Verdon College]] is a co-educational Catholic school with about 700 pupils.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.verdoncollege.school.nz/welcome.htm|title=Welcome to Verdon|access-date=24 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605005400/http://www.verdoncollege.school.nz/welcome.htm|archive-date=5 June 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Te Wharekura o Arowhenua]] is a [[Māori language]] school that teaches years from 1–15.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Counts|first=Education|title=Ministry of Education - Education Counts|url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?district=75&region=15&school=4217|access-date=2020-07-19|website=www.educationcounts.govt.nz|language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-03-05|title=School lunch scheme piloted in regions where child poverty is low|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/119781795/school-lunch-scheme-piloted-in-regions-where-child-poverty-is-low|access-date=2020-07-19|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |language=en|archive-date=19 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719143221/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/119781795/school-lunch-scheme-piloted-in-regions-where-child-poverty-is-low|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Primary schools===
{{Hatnote|For details about primary schools see the article about the suburb where they are located.}}
Most primary schools are Year 1–6.

==Transport==
{{Main|Transport in Invercargill}}

Invercargill has six bus routes operated by BusSmart INVERCARGILL: Clifton 1, Kingswell 2, Newfield 3, Hargest 4, Waverley 5 and Waikiwi 6. The bus routes depart the BusSmart Hub outside [[Cotton On Group]] Invercargill on Tay Street. BusSmart uses the [[Bee Card (New Zealand)|Bee Card]] used in most regions of New Zealand. There are no buses on Sundays or public holidays.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

''[[Southerner (New Zealand train)|The Southener]]'' passenger train previously operated between Christchurch and Invercargill daily, but this ceased operations in 2002 due to low patronage. There are currently no passenger rail services.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/87835604/do-trains-have-a-future-here-four-routes-that-could-comeback | title=Stuff }}</ref>

==Infrastructure and services==
The main hospital in Invercargill is Southland Hospital, located in Kew. It is a public hospital operated by the Southern District Health Board.

The electricity distribution network in the majority of the Invercargill urban area is owned by Electricity Invercargill. The network in the suburbs of Waikiwi, Grasmere, Kew and Kingswell, as well as the surrounding rural area, is owned by The Power Company. Both networks are operated and maintained by Powernet.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://powernet.co.nz/line-owners/electricity-invercargill-limited/|title=Electricity Invercargill Limited &#124; PowerNet|website=powernet.co.nz|access-date=11 May 2019|archive-date=11 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511110822/https://powernet.co.nz/line-owners/electricity-invercargill-limited/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://powernet.co.nz/line-owners/the-power-company-limited/|title=The Power Company Limited &#124; PowerNet|website=powernet.co.nz|access-date=11 May 2019|archive-date=11 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511110822/https://powernet.co.nz/line-owners/the-power-company-limited/|url-status=live}}</ref> Electricity is supplied from [[Transpower New Zealand Limited|Transpower]]'s national grid at two substations: Invercargill (Racecourse Road) and North Makarewa.

==Notable residents==

[[File:Nathan Cohen rowing.jpg|thumb|180px|[[Nathan Cohen (rower)|Nathan Cohen]]]]
[[File:Marton Csokas by andrew maccoll.jpg|thumb|180px|[[Marton Csokas]]]]
<!--Do not add people here who do not have a Wikipedia article. Redlinks will be removed PS reordered -->
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Peter Arnett]] – [[NBC]] war correspondent
* [[Peter Beck]] – [[Rocket Lab]], founder and CEO
* [[Eliza Ann Brown]] - first president of the first WCTU organisation in New Zealand (1884)
* [[Oliver Bulleid]] – Railway locomotive designer and Chief Mechanical Engineer of the [[Southern Railway (Great Britain)|Southern Railway]], born in Invercargill in 1882
* [[John Brian Burke|John Burke]] – Mayor of Porirua
* [[Johnnie Checketts]] – Silver Star, Wingco and Spitfire Ace
* [[Nathan Cohen (rower)|Nathan Cohen]] – Olympic and two-time world champion rower
* [[Geoffrey Cox (journalist)|Geoffrey Cox]] – Rhodes Scholar, Chief Intelligence Officer to General Freyberg in WWII, founded Britain's pioneering News at Ten on ITN.
* [[Bill Crawford-Crompton]] – Silver Star, Air Vice Marshal and WW2 Commander and Ace
* [[Marton Csokas]] – actor
* [[Dave Cull]] - former TV host and mayor of [[Dunedin]]
* [[Dan Davin]] – author, editor
* [[Corey Flynn]] – [[Rugby union positions#Hooker|Hooker]] for [[All Blacks]]
* [[Ernest Godward]] – inventor of the [[spiral hairpin]] and the petrol economiser
* [[Dene Halatau]] – [[Wests Tigers]] Utility in the [[NRL]]
* [[Joseph Hatch]] – businessman, oil factor
* [[James Hargest]] – CBE, DSO & 2 bars, MC, ED, MP – New Zealand chief military officer for Southland and politician
* [[Rowena Jackson]] – [[Royal Ballet]] [[prima ballerina]]
* [[Gerard Johnstone]] - film director
* [[Jason Kerrison]] – [[Opshop]] singer/songwriter
* [[Chris Knox]] – musician, cartoonist, filmmaker
* [[Brendon Leitch]] – racing driver
* [[Damon Leitch]] – racing driver
* [[Alex Lithgow]] – composer, musician, conductor
* [[Bill Manhire]] – inaugural NZ poet laureate
* [[Khan Manuel]] – guitarist/composer
* [[Mils Muliaina]] – All Black
* [[Burt Munro]] – inventor, motorcycle enthusiast, racer and under-1000&nbsp;cc land speed record holder
* [[Donald Murray (inventor)|Donald Murray]] "Father of the Teletypewriter"
* [[Harry Norris (conductor)|Harry Norris]] – music director of the [[D'Oyly Carte Opera Company]]
* [[Anton Oliver]] – All Black
* [[Warren Parry]] – darts player
* [[Herbert Pither]] – aviation legend of Southland
* [[Suzanne Prentice]] – musician
* [[Boyce Richardson]] – journalist, author, filmmaker
* [[Lesley Rumball]] – former [[Silver Ferns]] Captain
* [[Tom Scully (cyclist)|Tom Scully]] – cyclist, 2014 Commonwealth Gold Medallist
* [[Tim Shadbolt]] - former mayor
* [[Penny Simmonds]] – New Zealand politician
* [[Victor Spencer]] – last soldier to be executed in [[World War I]], pardoned in 2005
* [[David Strang (inventor)|David Strang]] – inventor of instant coffee in 1890
* [[Glen Thomson]] – cyclist, 1998 Commonwealth Gold Medallist, 1994 Commonwealth Bronze Medallist
* [[Garfield Todd]] – [[Prime Minister of Rhodesia|Prime Minister]] of [[Southern Rhodesia]]
* [[Jeremy Waldron]] – legal and political philosopher
* [[Joseph Ward]] – [[Prime Minister of New Zealand]]
* [[Jeff Wilson (sportsman)|Jeff Wilson]] – All Black and Black Cap ("[[List of cricket and rugby union players|Double All Black]]")
* [[Bob Yule]] – WWII fighter pilot
{{Div col end}}

==Sister cities==
===Current sister cities===
*  [[Kumagaya, Saitama|Kumagaya]] (since 1993)
*  [[Suqian]] (since 2013)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://icc.govt.nz/your-council/sister-city/|title=Sister Cities|publisher=Invercargill City Council|access-date=7 November 2016|archive-date=22 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122151009/https://icc.govt.nz/your-council/sister-city/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Former sister city===
*  [[Hobart]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/790815/Aussies-at-fault-for-sister-city-breakdown |title='Aussies at fault' for sister city breakdown |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Invercargill Golf Club]]
* [[Invercargill Rowing Club]]
* [[Invercargill Rugby Club (Blues)]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
* {{ReedPlacenames2002}}
* {{Cite book
| last =King | first =Michael  | title =The Penguin History of New Zealand | publisher =Penguin Books (NZ) Ltd| year =2003  | location =Auckland | pages =170, 202, 238, 473 | isbn = 0-14-301867-1}}
* {{Cite book
| last =Wright | first =Matthew  | title =Old South: Life and Times in the Nineteenth-century Mainland | publisher =Penguin Group (NZ) Ltd| year =2009  | location =Auckland | pages =236–37 | isbn = 978-0-14-300651-0}}
* A Complete Guide To Heraldry by A.C. Fox-Davies 1909.

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Invercargill}}
{{Commons category|Invercargill}}
* [http://www.icc.govt.nz/ Invercargill City Council official website]
* [http://www.invercargillnz.com/ Invercargill i-SITE visitor information]

{{Invercargill}}
{{Cities and districts of New Zealand}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Invercargill| ]]
[[Category:Populated places in the Southland Region]]
[[Category:Southern Scenic Route]]
[[Category:Former provincial capitals of New Zealand]]