Invercargill
Encyclopedia
Invercargill is the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand
, and one of the southernmost cities in the world. It is the commercial centre of the Southland region. It lies in the heart of the wide expanse of the Southland Plains
on the Oreti or New River
some 18 km north of 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.
Many streets in the city, especially in the centre and main shopping district, are named after rivers in Great Britain
, mainly Scotland
. These include the main streets Dee
and Tay
, as well as those named after the Tyne
, Esk
, Don
, Thames, Mersey
, Ness
, Yarrow, Spey
, and Eye rivers.
The population of Invercargill City in the 2006 census was 50,328 people; an increase of 498 people, or 1.0 percent, since the 2001 census.
and is linked to Fiordland
and the Catlins by the Southern Scenic Route
and Dunedin
and Gore
by SH 1. It is also the southern end of SH6
coming from Queenstown
and the West Coast
. The main streets of Invercargill: Dee (SH 6) and Tay (SH 1) measure over 40 metres wide. Numerous roads in the city are dual-carriageway but there are no expressways/motorways proposed for the city.
railway, which extends up the east coast to Christchurch
and Lyttelton
via Dunedin
. Until the cancellation of The Southerner
in 2002, Invercargill had the southernmost passenger railway station in the world. Passenger trains no longer call at Invercargill, except for occasional excursions. The Bluff Branch
extends south from Invercargill and has been freight-only since 1967. The Wairio Branch
extends northwest from Invercargill to the Solid Energy
coalfields near Ohai
and continues to carry freight even after the closing of the Ohai coal mine. Invercargill was once the centre of a much larger rail network, but over the years, since retrenched and was the first town in new zealand to have a steam locomotive and had the first railway in new zealand.
was used for fuel top-up and final take off by Operation Deep Freeze
. Twin-engine propeller-driven planes destined for McMurdo Sound
in the Antarctic
used the airport, assisted in takeoff by JATO
rockets under their wings. Bigger aircraft flew from Christchurch
when a permanent Deep Freeze base was established there.
Air New Zealand
operates eight daily flights to Christchurch and two to Wellington. Stewart Island Flights make regular flights to and from Stewart Island/Rakiura
. Mount Cook Airline
and Air Nelson
, wholly owned subsidiaries of Air New Zealand, also operate out of the airport flying ATR 72
's and Bombardier Dash 8's. Mainland Air
of Dunedin are contracted to fly doctors down to Southland Hospital, from Dunedin Hospital.
Southern Wings is the only aeroclub based at the airport itself and runs charter flights as well as running a flight school.
Invercargill Airport has the third longest runway in New Zealand
, following Auckland
and Christchurch
, at 2210 metres.
. In 1853, Walter Mantell
purchased Murihiku from local Maori iwi, claiming the land for European settlement. Otago, of which Southland was itself part, was the subject of planned settlement by the Free Church
, an offshoot of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland
. Settlement broadened with the discovery of gold in Central Otago
in the 1860s. Even today, traces of Scottish speech persist in Southland voices, with R often pronounced with a rolling burr. This is more noticeable in country people.
In 1852, James Menzies
, leader of the Southland separatist movement, became the first Superintendent of the tiny Southland electorate which was still part of the large Otago Region. In 1856, a petition was put forward to Thomas Gore Browne
, the Governor of New Zealand
, for a port at Bluff. Due to the Otago gold rush, the region's population grew during the 1860s with the settlement of Bluff
. Browne agreed to the petition and gave the name Invercargill to the settlement north of the port. Inver comes from the Scottish Gaelic word inbhir meaning a river's mouth and Cargill is in honour of Captain William Cargill
, who was at the time the Superintendent of Otago
, of which Southland was then a part.
Under the influence of 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 province was abolished entirely in 1876. 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. In the 1880s, the development of an export industry based on butter
and cheese
encouraged the growth of dairy farming
in Southland.
In December 1905, Invercargill voted in local prohibition
of alcohol sales. This lasted for 40 years until voted out by returning servicemen in World War II
. Drinking continued meanwhile, thanks to 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, England
, it returns profits to city amenities. Even today, alcohol is not sold in supermarkets.
In recent years, publicity has been brought to the southern city by the election of Tim Shadbolt
, a colourful and outspoken former student activist, as mayor. He once appeared on a cheese advertisement stating "I don't mind where, as long as I'm Mayor". His supporters like the colour he brings to the city. His opponents refer to his controversial mayoral career in the Auckland
suburbs and to his attitude to veterans during his opposition to the Vietnam War
.
who has held the position for six consecutive mayoral terms.
As of October 2010, the current council members are:-
in the New Zealand Parliament is held by Eric Roy
, an MP
from the incumbent National Party
. Under the Maori electorates system, Invercargill is part of the large Te Tai Tonga electorate, which covers the entire South Island and the surrounding islands, and is currently held by the Maori Party
MP Rahui Katene
.
, which has introduced a zero-fees scheme. 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 first decade of the 21st century due to an increased demand for New Zealand milk, cheese and butter. New dairy factories have opened around the province of Southland, as well as more efficient meat processing works and research and development facilities.
Invercargill is on the Southern Scenic Route
(tourist road), allowing day trips to Queenstown
, Stewart Island/Rakiura
, Dunedin
, Te Anau
and Fiordland
.
As of 2008, there have been plans to develop wind power
and hydroelectric schemes and plans to survey the Great South Basin
for oil extraction.
is one of several trusts in the city of Invercargill. It has a monopoly on the development of premises licensed for the sale of alcoholic beverages, and associated accommodation, in the city and uses the profits from these to fund school, sports and cultural groups, and welfare bodies. Along with its Charitable Trust and Sports Foundation it provides donations and sponsorships of approximately $10 million annually to nearly 500 organisations.
The Invercargill Licensing Trust and the ILT Foundation are major funders of community projects in Invercargill. These range from major developments such as Stadium Southland
and the Invercargill ILT Velodrome
, to helping grass-roots projects such as supplying interactive electronic whiteboards for local schools or a new learners’ swimming pool at Splash Palace, Invercargill's public swimming baths
The Community Trust of Southland was set up after Westpac
bought out the Trust Bank Southland in the 1980s. It was sold for approximately $150 million dollars, and a trust was set up for the money. Every year the interest is used by organisations by placing a grant. The trust is also a major sponsor for sports teams in the region including the Southland Stags, Southern Steel
and Southland Sharks
.
The trust represents the people in the area previously served by Trust Bank Southland, which includes all of the province of Southland plus 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 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 million in grants.
With the licensing trust and community trust, Southland as a region considers itself as one of the wealthiest for its size.
. Invercargill is well situated on the fertile and alluvial Southland Plains
, which is amongst some of New Zealand's most fertile farmland. Southern Invercargill lies one the shore of the New River Estuary
, while the northern parts lie on the banks of the Waihopai River
. Near Invercargill lies Oreti Beach
, a long expanse of sand stretching from the city to nearby Riverton
.
oceanic climate
similar to that of the British Isles
. The mean daily temperature ranges from 5.2 °C in July to 14 °C in January. The yearly mean temperature is 9.9 °C. Rainfall averages 1112 mm annually, and measurable snowfall is occasionally seen during the winter months of June to September. It is located in the cloudiest area of New Zealand with 1580 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 18.8 °C in February to 9.5 °C in July, but temperatures do occasionally exceed 25 °C in summer with a recorded extreme of 32.2 °C. Owing to its relatively high latitude (46° 42'), the city enjoys nearly 16 hours of daylight at the summer solstice
in late December.
Invercargill is "The City of Water and Light". This 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
.
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.
are keen sports fans and participants, and they are known around the country. Invercargill people have always traditionally got behind the local sports sides. The Southern Sting
(Netball- Now Southern Steel) won seven National titles from 1999–2004, 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 Hockey
being popular. Many professional sportsmen too, have came out of Southland as well. Invercargill also has some high quality sporting facilities, including an indoor veledrome
(the only one in New Zealand), an Olympic sized swimming centre, a 20,000 capacity rugby stadium
and also international playing arenas for both hockey and cricket.
The city's 4500 capacity indoor stadium
was severely damaged in 2010, its roof collapsing following a heavy snowfall. Southland also has three professional sporting sides that are based in Invercargill:
Invercargill is home to the only indoor cycling velodrome
in the country. The indoor 250 metres wooden velodrome is home to Track Cycling
in Southland and is currently the fastest track in New Zealand. The Invercargill Licensing Trust
supports the velodrome which is situated at Stadium Southland
, a large indoor sports complex located at Surrey Park. The stadium itself was badly damaged after its roof collapsed in 2010 following a heavy snowfall. The cost of rebuilding the stadium is likely to run into millions of dollars.
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 ...
review in 2004 that made most of Invercargill's primary schools Year 1-6 and closed the Year 7-8 schools Rosedale Intermediate and Collingwood Intermediate and Tweedsmuir Junior High
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, and one of the southernmost cities in the world. It is the commercial centre of the Southland region. It lies in the heart of the wide expanse of the Southland Plains
Southland Plains
The Southland Plains is a general name given to several areas of low-lying land in the South Island of New Zealand, separated by the rise of the Hokonui Hills in the north. It forms a sizeable area of Southland Region and encompasses its two principal settlements the city of Invercargill and the...
on the Oreti or New River
Oreti River
The Oreti River is one of the main rivers of Southland, New Zealand, and is 170 kilometres in length.The Oreti has its headwaters close to the Mavora Lakes between Lake Te Anau and Lake Wakatipu, and flows south across the Southland Plains to its outflow into Foveaux Strait at the southeastern end...
some 18 km north of Bluff
Bluff, New Zealand
Bluff is a town and seaport in the Southland region, on the southern coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is the southern-most town in New Zealand and, despite Slope Point being further to the south, is colloquially used to refer to the southern extremity of the country...
, which is the southernmost town in the South Island
South Island
The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean...
. It sits amid rich farmland that is bordered by large areas of conservation land and marine reserves, including Fiordland National Park
Fiordland National Park
Fiordland National Park occupies the southwest corner of the South Island of New Zealand. It is the largest of the 14 national parks in New Zealand, with an area of 12,500 km², and a major part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site...
covering the south-west corner of the South Island.
Many streets in the city, especially in the centre and main shopping district, are named after rivers in Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
, mainly Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. These include the main streets Dee
River Dee, Aberdeenshire
The River Dee is a river in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It rises in the Cairngorms and flows through Strathdee to reach the North Sea at Aberdeen...
and Tay
River Tay
The River Tay is the longest river in Scotland and the seventh-longest in the United Kingdom. The Tay originates in western Scotland on the slopes of Ben Lui , then flows easterly across the Highlands, through Loch Dochhart, Loch Lubhair and Loch Tay, then continues east through Strathtay , in...
, as well as those named after the Tyne
River Tyne
The River Tyne is a river in North East England in Great Britain. It is formed by the confluence of two rivers: the North Tyne and the South Tyne. These two rivers converge at Warden Rock near Hexham in Northumberland at a place dubbed 'The Meeting of the Waters'.The North Tyne rises on the...
, Esk
River Esk, Dumfries and Galloway
The River Esk is a river in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, that flows into the Solway Firth. It also flows for a small way through the English county of Cumbria before entering the Solway....
, Don
River Don, Aberdeenshire
The River Don is a river in north-east Scotland. It rises in the Grampians and flows eastwards, through Aberdeenshire, to the North Sea at Aberdeen. The Don passes through Alford, Kemnay, Inverurie, Kintore, and Dyce...
, Thames, Mersey
Mersey
Mersey may refer to:* River Mersey, in northwest England* Mersea Island, off the coast of Essex in England * Mersey River in the Australian state* Electoral division of Mersey in the state of Tasmania, Australian...
, Ness
River Ness
The River Ness is a river flowing from Loch Ness in Scotland, north to Inverness and the Moray Firth. On a hill above the river in Inverness stands Inverness Castle. The river is overlooked by the Eden Court Theatre, one of the largest theatres in Scotland. St. Andrews Cathedral also lies along...
, Yarrow, Spey
River Spey
The River Spey is a river in the northeast of Scotland, the second longest and the fastest-flowing river in Scotland...
, and Eye rivers.
The population of Invercargill City in the 2006 census was 50,328 people; an increase of 498 people, or 1.0 percent, since the 2001 census.
Road
Invercargill is the southernmost city on New Zealand's state highway networkNew Zealand State Highway network
The New Zealand State Highway network is the major national highway network in New Zealand. Just under 100 roads in both the North and South Islands are State Highways...
and is linked to Fiordland
Fiordland
Fiordland is a geographic region of New Zealand that is situated on the south-western corner of the South Island, comprising the western-most third of Southland. Most of Fiordland is dominated by the steep sides of the snow-capped Southern Alps, deep lakes and its ocean-flooded, steep western valleys...
and the Catlins by the Southern Scenic Route
Southern Scenic Route
The Southern Scenic Route is a tourist highway in New Zealand linking Queenstown, Fiordland, Te Anau and the iconic Milford Road to Dunedin via, Riverton, Invercargill and The Catlins...
and Dunedin
Dunedin
Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. It is considered to be one of the four main urban centres of New Zealand for historic, cultural, and geographic reasons. Dunedin was the largest city by territorial land area until...
and Gore
Gore, New Zealand
Gore is a town, surrounding borough, and district in the Southland region of the South Island of New Zealand.-Geography:The Gore District has a land area of 1,251.62 km² and a resident population of...
by SH 1. It is also the southern end of SH6
New Zealand State Highway 6
State Highway 6 is a major New Zealand State Highway. It extends from the northeastern corner of the South Island across the top of the island, then down the length of the island, initially along the West Coast and then across the Southern Alps through inland Otago and finally across the Southland...
coming from Queenstown
Queenstown, New Zealand
Queenstown is a resort town in Otago in the south-west of New Zealand's South Island. It is built around an inlet called Queenstown Bay on Lake Wakatipu, a long thin Z-shaped lake formed by glacial processes, and has spectacular views of nearby mountains....
and the West Coast
West Coast, New Zealand
The West Coast is one of the administrative regions of New Zealand, located on the west coast of the South Island, and is one of the more remote and most sparsely populated areas of the country. It is made up of three districts: Buller, Grey and Westland...
. The main streets of Invercargill: Dee (SH 6) and Tay (SH 1) measure over 40 metres wide. Numerous roads in the city are dual-carriageway but there are no expressways/motorways proposed for the city.
Rail links
Invercargill is at the southern end of the Main South LineMain South Line
The Main South Line, sometimes referred to as part of the South Island Main Trunk Railway, is a railroad line that runs north and south from Lyttelton in New Zealand through Christchurch and along the east coast of the South Island to Invercargill via Dunedin...
railway, which extends up the east coast to Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
and Lyttelton
Lyttelton, New Zealand
Lyttelton is a port town on the north shore of Lyttelton Harbour close to Banks Peninsula, a suburb of Christchurch on the eastern coast of the South Island of New Zealand....
via Dunedin
Dunedin
Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. It is considered to be one of the four main urban centres of New Zealand for historic, cultural, and geographic reasons. Dunedin was the largest city by territorial land area until...
. Until the cancellation of The Southerner
The Southerner (train)
The Southerner was a passenger express train that ran in New Zealand's South Island between Christchurch and Invercargill via Dunedin along the Main South Line. It commenced service on Tuesday, 1 December 1970 and ceased on Sunday, 10 February 2002...
in 2002, Invercargill had the southernmost passenger railway station in the world. Passenger trains no longer call at Invercargill, except for occasional excursions. The Bluff Branch
Bluff Branch
The Bluff Branch is a railway line in Southland, New Zealand that links Invercargill with the port of Bluff. One of the first railways in New Zealand, it opened in 1867 and is still operating...
extends south from Invercargill and has been freight-only since 1967. The Wairio Branch
Wairio Branch
The Wairio Branch, now incorporating the Ohai Industrial Line, is a branch line railway in Southland, New Zealand. It opened in 1882 and is the sole remaining branch line in Southland, and one of only a few in the entire country...
extends northwest from Invercargill to the Solid Energy
Solid Energy
Solid Energy is the largest coal mining company in New Zealand and is a state owned enterprise of the New Zealand Government.The company was formed from the former government department State Coal Mines. It was then established as a state owned enterprise called Coal Corporation in 1987, and...
coalfields near Ohai
Ohai
Ohаi is a town in the Southland Region of New Zealand's South Island. It is located 65 kilometres northwest of Invercargill and 25 kilometres west of Winton. The 2001 New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings gave its population as 399, a decline of 22.2% or 114 people since the 1996...
and continues to carry freight even after the closing of the Ohai coal mine. Invercargill was once the centre of a much larger rail network, but over the years, since retrenched and was the first town in new zealand to have a steam locomotive and had the first railway in new zealand.
Airport
During the mid 1950s, Invercargill AirportInvercargill Airport
- Developing new services :*Air New Zealand spokesman Bruce Parton said the company increased seat capacity into and out of Invercargill by 30% during the past two years and now offered 52 services a week between Invercargill and Christchurch and 29 services a week between Invercargill and Wellington...
was used for fuel top-up and final take off by Operation Deep Freeze
Operation Deep Freeze
Operation Deep Freeze is the codename for a series of United States missions to Antarctica, beginning with "Operation Deep Freeze I" in 1955–56, followed by "Operation Deep Freeze II", "Operation Deep Freeze III", and so on...
. Twin-engine propeller-driven planes destined for McMurdo Sound
McMurdo Sound
The ice-clogged waters of Antarctica's McMurdo Sound extend about 55 km long and wide. The sound opens into the Ross Sea to the north. The Royal Society Range rises from sea level to 13,205 feet on the western shoreline. The nearby McMurdo Ice Shelf scribes McMurdo Sound's southern boundary...
in the Antarctic
Antarctic
The Antarctic is the region around the Earth's South Pole, opposite the Arctic region around the North Pole. The Antarctic comprises the continent of Antarctica and the ice shelves, waters and island territories in the Southern Ocean situated south of the Antarctic Convergence...
used the airport, assisted in takeoff by JATO
JATO
JATO is an acronym for jet-fuel assisted take off. It is a system for helping overloaded aircraft into the air by providing additional thrust in the form of small rockets....
rockets under their wings. Bigger aircraft flew from Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
when a permanent Deep Freeze base was established there.
Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand Limited is the national airline and flag carrier of New Zealand. Based in Auckland, New Zealand, the airline operates scheduled passenger flights to 26 domestic destinations and 24 international destinations in 15 countries across Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania, and is...
operates eight daily flights to Christchurch and two to Wellington. Stewart Island Flights make regular flights to and from Stewart Island/Rakiura
Stewart Island/Rakiura
Stewart Island/Rakiura is the third-largest island of New Zealand. It lies south of the South Island, across Foveaux Strait. Its permanent population is slightly over 400 people, most of whom live in the settlement of Oban.- History and naming :...
. Mount Cook Airline
Mount Cook Airline
Mount Cook Airline is an airline based in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is wholly owned by Air New Zealand and operates scheduled services throughout the country under the Air New Zealand Link brand...
and Air Nelson
Air Nelson
Air Nelson, a subsidiary of Air New Zealand is a regional airline based in Nelson, New Zealand. It operates services on provincial routes under the Air New Zealand Link brand. Its main base is Nelson Airport, with hubs at Auckland, Napier, New Plymouth, Wellington, Tauranga and Christchurch.The...
, wholly owned subsidiaries of Air New Zealand, also operate out of the airport flying ATR 72
ATR 72
The ATR 72 is a twin-engine turboprop short-haul regional airliner built by the French-Italian aircraft manufacturer ATR. ATR and Airbus are both built in Toulouse, and share resources and technology...
's and Bombardier Dash 8's. Mainland Air
Mainland Air
Mainland Air 2010 is a general aviation, flight training and charter airline operating out of Dunedin International Airport in New Zealand. Mainland Air has recently been taken over by Southair Aviation at Taieri Airfield.-Services:...
of Dunedin are contracted to fly doctors down to Southland Hospital, from Dunedin Hospital.
Southern Wings is the only aeroclub based at the airport itself and runs charter flights as well as running a flight school.
Invercargill Airport has the third longest runway in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, following Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
and Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
, at 2210 metres.
History
Southland was a scene of early extended contact between Europeans and Maori, in this case sealers, whalers and missionaries - Wohlers at RuapukeRuapuke
Ruapuke is a small farming community in the Waikato region on the slopes of rocky mountains, between Raglan and Kawhia in New Zealand. It comprises a handful of families, some of whom have lived there for many generations. The residents, predominantly sheep and cattle farmers, all traverse Ruapuke...
. In 1853, Walter Mantell
Walter Mantell
Walter Baldock Durrant Mantell was a 19th century New Zealand scientist, politician, and Land Purchase Commissioner. He was a founder and first secretary of the New Zealand Institute, and discovered and collected Moa remains....
purchased Murihiku from local Maori iwi, claiming the land for European settlement. Otago, of which Southland was itself part, was the subject of planned settlement by the Free Church
Free Church of Scotland (1843-1900)
The Free Church of Scotland is a Scottish denomination which was formed in 1843 by a large withdrawal from the established Church of Scotland in a schism known as the "Disruption of 1843"...
, an offshoot of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland
Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...
. Settlement broadened with the discovery of gold in Central Otago
Central Otago
Central Otago is the inland part of the New Zealand region of Otago in the South Island. The area commonly known as Central Otago includes both the Central Otago District and the Queenstown-Lakes District to the west....
in the 1860s. Even today, traces of Scottish speech persist in Southland voices, with R often pronounced with a rolling burr. This is more noticeable in country people.
In 1852, James Menzies
James Alexander Robertson Menzies
James Alexander Robertson Menzies was the first Superintendent of the Southland Province in New Zealand from 3 August 1861 to November 1864 during its breakaway from Otago Province...
, leader of the Southland separatist movement, became the first Superintendent of the tiny Southland electorate which was still part of the large Otago Region. In 1856, a petition was put forward to Thomas Gore Browne
Thomas Gore Browne
Colonel Sir Thomas Robert Gore Browne KCMG CB was a British colonial administrator, who was Governor of St Helena, Governor of New Zealand, Governor of Tasmania and Governor of Bermuda.-Early life:...
, the Governor of New Zealand
Governor-General of New Zealand
The Governor-General of New Zealand is the representative of the monarch of New Zealand . The Governor-General acts as the Queen's vice-regal representative in New Zealand and is often viewed as the de facto head of state....
, for a port at Bluff. Due to the Otago gold rush, the region's population grew during the 1860s with the settlement of Bluff
Bluff, New Zealand
Bluff is a town and seaport in the Southland region, on the southern coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is the southern-most town in New Zealand and, despite Slope Point being further to the south, is colloquially used to refer to the southern extremity of the country...
. Browne agreed to the petition and gave the name Invercargill to the settlement north of the port. Inver comes from the Scottish Gaelic word inbhir meaning a river's mouth and Cargill is in honour of Captain William Cargill
William Cargill
William Walter Cargill was the founder of the Otago settlement in New Zealand, after serving as an officer in the British Army. He was a Member of Parliament and Otago's first Superintendent.-Early life:...
, who was at the time the Superintendent of Otago
Otago Province
The Otago Province was a province of New Zealand until the abolition of provincial government in 1876.-Area:The capital of the province was Dunedin...
, of which Southland was then a part.
Under the influence of Menzies, Southland Province
Southland Province
The Southland Province was a province of New Zealand from March 1861 until the province rejoined with Otago Province in 1870.-History:When provinces were formed in 1853, the southern part of New Zealand belonged to Otago 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 province was abolished entirely in 1876. 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. In the 1880s, the development of an export industry based on butter
Butter
Butter is a dairy product made by churning fresh or fermented cream or milk. It is generally used as a spread and a condiment, as well as in cooking applications, such as baking, sauce making, and pan frying...
and cheese
Cheese
Cheese is a generic term for a diverse group of milk-based food products. Cheese is produced throughout the world in wide-ranging flavors, textures, and forms....
encouraged the growth of dairy farming
Dairy farming
Dairy farming is a class of agricultural, or an animal husbandry, enterprise, for long-term production of milk, usually from dairy cows but also from goats and sheep, which may be either processed on-site or transported to a dairy factory for processing and eventual retail sale.Most dairy farms...
in Southland.
In December 1905, Invercargill voted in local prohibition
Prohibition
Prohibition of alcohol, often referred to simply as prohibition, is the practice of prohibiting the manufacture, transportation, import, export, sale, and consumption of alcohol and alcoholic beverages. The term can also apply to the periods in the histories of the countries during which the...
of alcohol sales. This lasted for 40 years until voted out by returning servicemen in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Drinking continued meanwhile, thanks to 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, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, it returns profits to city amenities. Even today, alcohol is not sold in supermarkets.
In recent years, publicity has been brought to the southern city by the election of Tim Shadbolt
Tim Shadbolt
Timothy Richard "Tim" Shadbolt is a New Zealand politician. He is the Mayor of Invercargill and was previously Mayor of Waitemata City.-Early life:...
, a colourful and outspoken former student activist, as mayor. He once appeared on a cheese advertisement stating "I don't mind where, as long as I'm Mayor". His supporters like the colour he brings to the city. His opponents refer to his controversial mayoral career in the Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
suburbs and to his attitude to veterans during his opposition to the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
.
Local
The Invercargill City Council governs the territorial authority of Invercargill. It is made up of an elected mayor, a deputy mayor and 12 additional councillors. They are elected under the First Past the Post system in triennial elections, with the last election being held on Saturday 9 October 2010. The current mayor is the incumbent Tim ShadboltTim Shadbolt
Timothy Richard "Tim" Shadbolt is a New Zealand politician. He is the Mayor of Invercargill and was previously Mayor of Waitemata City.-Early life:...
who has held the position for six consecutive mayoral terms.
As of October 2010, the current council members are:-
| Mayor | Tim Shadbolt Tim Shadbolt Timothy Richard "Tim" Shadbolt is a New Zealand politician. He is the Mayor of Invercargill and was previously Mayor of Waitemata City.-Early life:... |
| Councillors - Invercargill City Council | Lindsay Abbott Neil Boniface Thelma Buck Carolyn Dean Norman Elder Lloyd Esler Alan Dennis Jackie Kruger Graham Lewis Darren Ludlow Ian Pottinger Graham Sycamore |
National
The electorate of InvercargillInvercargill (New Zealand electorate)
Invercargill is an electorate of the Parliament of New Zealand that has existed since 1866. The current representative is Eric Roy.-Population centres:The electorate covers Invercargill city and the surrounding rural area, including Stewart Island / Rakiura...
in the New Zealand Parliament is held by Eric Roy
Eric Roy
Eric Wilbur Roy is a New Zealand politician. He is a National Party Member of Parliament , being first elected in 1993.-Early years:...
, an MP
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
from the incumbent National Party
New Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
. Under the Maori electorates system, Invercargill is part of the large Te Tai Tonga electorate, which covers the entire South Island and the surrounding islands, and is currently held by the Maori Party
Maori Party
The Māori Party, a political party in New Zealand, was formed on 7 July 2004. The Party is guided by eight constitutional "kaupapa", or Party objectives. Tariana Turia formed the Māori Party after resigning from the Labour Party where she had been a Cabinet Minister in the Fifth Labour-led...
MP Rahui Katene
Rahui Katene
Rahui Katene is a New Zealand politician. She was elected to the 49th New Zealand Parliament at the 2008 general election representing the Māori Party in the seat of Te Tai Tonga, but lost in the 2011 general election to Labour's Rino Tirikatene.- Ancestry :...
.
Economy
Invercargill is home to the Southern Institute of TechnologySouthern Institute of Technology
The Southern Institute of Technology is the most well recognised Tertiary Education Institution of the province of Southland, New Zealand....
, which has introduced a zero-fees scheme. 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 first decade of the 21st century due to an increased demand for New Zealand milk, cheese and butter. New dairy factories have opened around the province of Southland, as well as more efficient meat processing works and research and development facilities.
Invercargill is on the Southern Scenic Route
Southern Scenic Route
The Southern Scenic Route is a tourist highway in New Zealand linking Queenstown, Fiordland, Te Anau and the iconic Milford Road to Dunedin via, Riverton, Invercargill and The Catlins...
(tourist road), allowing day trips to Queenstown
Queenstown, New Zealand
Queenstown is a resort town in Otago in the south-west of New Zealand's South Island. It is built around an inlet called Queenstown Bay on Lake Wakatipu, a long thin Z-shaped lake formed by glacial processes, and has spectacular views of nearby mountains....
, Stewart Island/Rakiura
Stewart Island/Rakiura
Stewart Island/Rakiura is the third-largest island of New Zealand. It lies south of the South Island, across Foveaux Strait. Its permanent population is slightly over 400 people, most of whom live in the settlement of Oban.- History and naming :...
, Dunedin
Dunedin
Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. It is considered to be one of the four main urban centres of New Zealand for historic, cultural, and geographic reasons. Dunedin was the largest city by territorial land area until...
, Te Anau
Te Anau
Te Anau is a town in the South Island of New Zealand. It is on the eastern shore of Lake Te Anau in Fiordland. Lake Te Anau is the largest lake in the South Island and second only within New Zealand to Lake Taupo. The 2001 census recorded the town's population as 1,857...
and Fiordland
Fiordland
Fiordland is a geographic region of New Zealand that is situated on the south-western corner of the South Island, comprising the western-most third of Southland. Most of Fiordland is dominated by the steep sides of the snow-capped Southern Alps, deep lakes and its ocean-flooded, steep western valleys...
.
As of 2008, there have been plans to develop wind power
Wind power
Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy, such as using wind turbines to make electricity, windmills for mechanical power, windpumps for water pumping or drainage, or sails to propel ships....
and hydroelectric schemes and plans to survey the Great South Basin
Great South Basin
The Great South Basin is an area of mainly sea to the south of the South Island of New Zealand.Starting in the 1960s, the area was explored and drilled for oil deposits by various minerals companies, mostly international, but by 1984 all of these companies had left empty-handed...
for oil extraction.
Invercargill Trusts
The Invercargill Licensing TrustInvercargill Licensing Trust
The Invercargill Licensing Trust is a Licensing Trust in the city of Invercargill in New Zealand.It has a monopoly on the development of premises licensed for the sale of alcoholic beverages, and associated accommodation, in the city and uses the profits from these to fund school, sports and...
is one of several trusts in the city of Invercargill. It has a monopoly on the development of premises licensed for the sale of alcoholic beverages, and associated accommodation, in the city and uses the profits from these to fund school, sports and cultural groups, and welfare bodies. Along with its Charitable Trust and Sports Foundation it provides donations and sponsorships of approximately $10 million annually to nearly 500 organisations.
The Invercargill Licensing Trust and the ILT Foundation are major funders of community projects in Invercargill. These range from major developments such as Stadium Southland
Stadium Southland
Stadium Southland is an international sports complex in Invercargill, New Zealand. The stadium was completed in May 2000. The main SBS Sports Arena in the stadium has a capacity of 4,500, with temporary seating...
and the Invercargill ILT Velodrome
Invercargill ILT Velodrome
The Invercargill ILT Velodrome is the only indoor velodrome in New Zealand. The $11 million dollar velodrome is an indoor complex next to Stadium Southland, built on the western side of the stadium proper....
, to helping grass-roots projects such as supplying interactive electronic whiteboards for local schools or a new learners’ swimming pool at Splash Palace, Invercargill's public swimming baths
The Community Trust of Southland was set up after Westpac
Westpac
Westpac , is a multinational financial services, one of the Australian "big four" banks and the second-largest bank in New Zealand....
bought out the Trust Bank Southland in the 1980s. It was sold for approximately $150 million dollars, and a trust was set up for the money. Every year the interest is used by organisations by placing a grant. The trust is also a major sponsor for sports teams in the region including the Southland Stags, Southern Steel
Southern Steel
The Southern Steel are a New Zealand netball team based in Invercargill that compete in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. The franchise was formed as an amalgamation of two teams from the National Bank Cup, the Dunedin-based Otago Rebels and the Invercargill-based Southern Sting...
and Southland Sharks
Southland Sharks
The Southland Sharks are a professional basketball team based in the Southland region in the New Zealand National Basketball League.The team plays their home games at Invercargill's Stadium Southland where 3,000 of the 4,500 seats are made available for regular season games.-Establishment:The...
.
The trust represents the people in the area previously served by Trust Bank Southland, which includes all of the province of Southland plus 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 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 million in grants.
With the licensing trust and community trust, Southland as a region considers itself as one of the wealthiest for its size.
Geography
Invercargill is the southernmost city in the Commonwealth of NationsCommonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
. Invercargill is well situated on the fertile and alluvial Southland Plains
Southland Plains
The Southland Plains is a general name given to several areas of low-lying land in the South Island of New Zealand, separated by the rise of the Hokonui Hills in the north. It forms a sizeable area of Southland Region and encompasses its two principal settlements the city of Invercargill and the...
, which is amongst some of New Zealand's most fertile farmland. Southern Invercargill lies one the shore of the New River Estuary
Oreti River
The Oreti River is one of the main rivers of Southland, New Zealand, and is 170 kilometres in length.The Oreti has its headwaters close to the Mavora Lakes between Lake Te Anau and Lake Wakatipu, and flows south across the Southland Plains to its outflow into Foveaux Strait at the southeastern end...
, while the northern parts lie on the banks of the Waihopai River
Waihopai River
The Waihopai River is the name of two rivers in the South Island of New Zealand.-Waihopai River, Marlborough:The Waihopai River in Marlborough drains the Waihopai Valley and runs northeast for 70 kilometres before flowing into the Wairau River....
. Near Invercargill lies Oreti Beach
Oreti Beach
Oreti Beach is the central bay of three lying on the Foveaux Strait coast of Southland, New Zealand, the others being Te Waewae Bay and Toetoes Bay...
, a long expanse of sand stretching from the city to nearby Riverton
Riverton, New Zealand
Riverton or Aparima is a small town at the south of the South Island of New Zealand. It is in the Southland region and lies at the western end of Oreti Beach, 30 kilometres west of Invercargill on the Southern Scenic Route. It is approx. 45 km from Stewart Island and provides a safe harbour...
.
Climate
Invercargill has a temperateTemperate
In geography, temperate or tepid latitudes of the globe lie between the tropics and the polar circles. The changes in these regions between summer and winter are generally relatively moderate, rather than extreme hot or cold...
oceanic climate
Oceanic climate
An oceanic climate, also called marine west coast climate, maritime climate, Cascadian climate and British climate for Köppen climate classification Cfb and subtropical highland for Köppen Cfb or Cwb, is a type of climate typically found along the west coasts at the middle latitudes of some of the...
similar to that of the British Isles
British Isles
The British Isles are a group of islands off the northwest coast of continental Europe that include the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and over six thousand smaller isles. There are two sovereign states located on the islands: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and...
. The mean daily temperature ranges from 5.2 °C in July to 14 °C in January. The yearly mean temperature is 9.9 °C. Rainfall averages 1112 mm annually, and measurable snowfall is occasionally seen during the winter months of June to September. It is located in the cloudiest area of New Zealand with 1580 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 18.8 °C in February to 9.5 °C in July, but temperatures do occasionally exceed 25 °C in summer with a recorded extreme of 32.2 °C. Owing to its relatively high latitude (46° 42'), the city enjoys nearly 16 hours of daylight at the summer solstice
Solstice
A solstice is an astronomical event that happens twice each year when the Sun's apparent position in the sky, as viewed from Earth, reaches its northernmost or southernmost extremes...
in late December.
Invercargill is "The City of Water and Light". This 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
The World's Fastest Indian
The World's Fastest Indian is a 2005 New Zealand biographical film based on the Invercargill, New Zealand speed bike racer Burt Munro and his highly modified Indian Scout motorcycle...
.
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
Stadium Southland
Stadium Southland is an international sports complex in Invercargill, New Zealand. The stadium was completed in May 2000. The main SBS Sports Arena in the stadium has a capacity of 4,500, with temporary seating...
, the roof of which collapsed under the weight of the snow; and a decorating store. Many other stores were shut, and Invercargill Airport
Invercargill Airport
- Developing new services :*Air New Zealand spokesman Bruce Parton said the company increased seat capacity into and out of Invercargill by 30% during the past two years and now offered 52 services a week between Invercargill and Christchurch and 29 services a week between Invercargill and Wellington...
was closed for a day.
Sport
Invercargill and its surrounding Southland RegionSouthland Region
Southland is New Zealand's southernmost region and is also a district within that region. It consists mainly of the southwestern portion of the South Island and Stewart Island / Rakiura...
are keen sports fans and participants, and they are known around the country. Invercargill people have always traditionally got behind the local sports sides. The Southern Sting
Southern Sting
The Southern Sting were a netball team based in Invercargill, New Zealand that competed in The National Bank Cup competition, formerly known as the Coca Cola Cup....
(Netball- Now Southern Steel) won seven National titles from 1999–2004, 2007, while the local rugby team the Southland Stags held the Ranfurly Shield
Ranfurly Shield
The Ranfurly Shield, colloquially known as the Log o' Wood, is a trophy in New Zealand's domestic rugby union competition. First played for in 1904, the Ranfurly Shield is based on a challenge system, rather than a league or knockout competition as with most football trophies...
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
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
, Netball
Netball
Netball is a ball sport played between two teams of seven players. Its development, derived from early versions of basketball, began in England in the 1890s. By 1960 international playing rules had been standardised for the game, and the International Federation of Netball and Women's Basketball ...
, Basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, Cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
and Hockey
Hockey
Hockey is a family of sports in which two teams play against each other by trying to maneuver a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick.-Etymology:...
being popular. Many professional sportsmen too, have came out of Southland as well. Invercargill also has some high quality sporting facilities, including an indoor veledrome
Invercargill ILT Velodrome
The Invercargill ILT Velodrome is the only indoor velodrome in New Zealand. The $11 million dollar velodrome is an indoor complex next to Stadium Southland, built on the western side of the stadium proper....
(the only one in New Zealand), an Olympic sized swimming centre, a 20,000 capacity rugby stadium
Rugby Park Stadium
Rugby Park Stadium is a rugby union venue and home ground for ITM Cup team Southland. Rugby Park Stadium is located on the corner of Elles Road and Tweed Street in Invercargill. It has a capacity of 20,000, although in former incarnations has accommodated up to 30,000 in the 1960s before the...
and also international playing arenas for both hockey and cricket.
The city's 4500 capacity indoor stadium
Stadium Southland
Stadium Southland is an international sports complex in Invercargill, New Zealand. The stadium was completed in May 2000. The main SBS Sports Arena in the stadium has a capacity of 4,500, with temporary seating...
was severely damaged in 2010, its roof collapsing following a heavy snowfall. Southland also has three professional sporting sides that are based in Invercargill:
- Southland Stags (Rugby)
- Spirit FC (Association Football)
- Southern SteelSouthern SteelThe Southern Steel are a New Zealand netball team based in Invercargill that compete in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. The franchise was formed as an amalgamation of two teams from the National Bank Cup, the Dunedin-based Otago Rebels and the Invercargill-based Southern Sting...
(Netball) - Southland SharksSouthland SharksThe Southland Sharks are a professional basketball team based in the Southland region in the New Zealand National Basketball League.The team plays their home games at Invercargill's Stadium Southland where 3,000 of the 4,500 seats are made available for regular season games.-Establishment:The...
(Basketball)
Invercargill is home to the only indoor cycling velodrome
Velodrome
A velodrome is an arena for track cycling. Modern velodromes feature steeply banked oval tracks, consisting of two 180-degree circular bends connected by two straights...
in the country. The indoor 250 metres wooden velodrome is home to Track Cycling
Track cycling
Track cycling is a bicycle racing sport usually held on specially built banked tracks or velodromes using track bicycles....
in Southland and is currently the fastest track in New Zealand. The Invercargill Licensing Trust
Invercargill Licensing Trust
The Invercargill Licensing Trust is a Licensing Trust in the city of Invercargill in New Zealand.It has a monopoly on the development of premises licensed for the sale of alcoholic beverages, and associated accommodation, in the city and uses the profits from these to fund school, sports and...
supports the velodrome which is situated at Stadium Southland
Stadium Southland
Stadium Southland is an international sports complex in Invercargill, New Zealand. The stadium was completed in May 2000. The main SBS Sports Arena in the stadium has a capacity of 4,500, with temporary seating...
, a large indoor sports complex located at Surrey Park. The stadium itself was badly damaged after its roof collapsed in 2010 following a heavy snowfall. The cost of rebuilding the stadium is likely to run into millions of dollars.
The Invercargill March
This internationally famous tune was written by Alex LithgowAlex Lithgow
Alexander Frame Lithgow was a Scottish-born, New Zealand and Australian based composer and bandleader known as the "Sousa of the Antipodes"....
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 ...
Education
High schools
All High Schools in Invercargill are Year 7-13, following a Ministry of EducationMinistry of Education (New Zealand)
The Ministry of Education , is the primary state sector organisation of New Zealand responsible for New Zealand's education system...
review in 2004 that made most of Invercargill's primary schools Year 1-6 and closed the Year 7-8 schools Rosedale Intermediate and Collingwood Intermediate and Tweedsmuir Junior High
- James Hargest CollegeJames Hargest CollegeJames Hargest College is a large school of about 1800 students, in Invercargill, New Zealand. The majority of students are New Zealand European, but there are some Māori and Asians. The school caters for students from year 7-13....
is in northern Invercargill with about 1800 students. Current Principal is Andy Wood. - Aurora College was established in 2005, after Mount Anglem College was closed in 2004. Current Principal is Robyn Hickman.
- Southland Girls' High SchoolSouthland Girls' High SchoolSouthland Girls' High School is a girls' secondary school in Invercargill, New Zealand. The 2005 NZQA report commended the school and staff for the very good practices and consistently high standards.The school admits a small number of international students...
In 2005 became the first state Year 7-13 single-sex female school in New Zealand. Current Principal is Yvonne Browning. - Southland Boys' High SchoolSouthland Boys' High SchoolSouthland Boys' High School is an all-boys school in Invercargill, New Zealand, and has been the only one in the city since Marist Brothers was merged with St Catherines to form Verdon College in 1982.-History:...
In 2005 became the first state Year 7-13 single-sex male school in New Zealand. Current Principal is Ian Baldwin. - Verdon CollegeVerdon CollegeVerdon College is a co-educational Roman Catholic high school in Invercargill, New Zealand, teaching students from year 7 to 13 . The college is named after Bishop Michael Verdon who was the second Catholic Bishop of Dunedin ....
is a co-educational Catholic school with about 620 students. Current Principal is Jarlath Kelly.
Primary schools
Most primary schools are Year 1-6.- New River Primary School, co-ed school for Years 1-6 in South Invercargill area. Formerly Kew, South, Clarendon, and Clifton Schools. Current Principal is Elaine McCambridge.
- St Joseph's, a small co-ed school for Years 1-6, a Catholic school near St Mary's Basilica. Current Principal is Jill Baird.
- St Theresa's, North Invercargill, a co-ed Catholic primary school. Current Principal is John Lieshout.
- St Patrick's, Georgetown, a co-ed Catholic primary school. Current Principal is Alan Watts.
- Ascot Community School, the only public co-ed school in Hawthorndale area. Current Principal is Wendy Ryan.
- Fernworth Primary - co-ed school in Heidelberg area. Formerly St George and Elston Lea. Current Principal is Anne Walker.
- Windsor North School, co-ed school in Rosedale area. Previously Invercargill North School. Current Principal is Roger Stephenson.
- Waverley Park School, co-ed school in Waverley Park area. Current Principal is Kerry Hawkins.
- Waihopai School, co-ed school in Waihopai area. Current Principal is Allan Mitchell.
- Salford School, co-ed school in Rosedale area. Current Principal is Marlene Campbell.
- St John's Girls' School, small school. Invercargill's only private school. Christian character. Current Principal is Brenda MacKay.
- Sacred Heart Primary School, North Road, Waikiwi. co-ed Special Character Catholic family school serving the northern suburbs of Waikiwi, Grasmere and Makarewa. Current Principal is Peter Forde.
- Donovan Primary School, co-ed school Grasmere area. Formerly Grasmere, Waikiwi, West Plains. Current Principal is Peter Hopwood.
- Otatara Primary School, co-ed school in Otatara area. Current Principal is Sharon Livingstone.
- Myross Bush Primary School, co-ed school in Myross Bush area. Current principal is Tim Lovelock.
- Newfield Park School, co-ed school in Newfield
- Southland Adventist Christian School. A small co-ed school in the Waikiwi area. Formerly Seventh Day Adventist School. Christian Character. Current Principal is Ryan Baronian.
- Middle School, co-ed school located in the middle of Invercargill
People from Invercargill
- Peter ArnettPeter ArnettPeter Gregg Arnett, ONZM is a New Zealand-American journalist.Arnett worked for National Geographic magazine, and later for various television networks, most notably CNN. He is well known for his coverage of war, including the Vietnam War and the Gulf War...
- NBC war correspondent - Oliver BulleidOliver BulleidOliver Vaughan Snell Bulleid was a British railway and mechanical engineer best known as the Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Southern Railway between 1937 and the 1948 nationalisation, developing many well-known locomotives.- Early life and Great Northern Railway :He was born in Invercargill,...
- Railway locomotive designer and Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Southern Railway (Great Britain)Southern Railway (Great Britain)The Southern Railway was a British railway company established in the 1923 Grouping. It linked London with the Channel ports, South West England, South coast resorts and Kent...
, born in Invercargill in 1882 - Johnnie Checketts - Silver Star, Wingco and Spitfire Ace
- Bill Crawford-CromptonBill Crawford-CromptonAir Vice Marshal William Vernon "Bill" Crawford-Crompton CB, CBE, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar was a New Zealand-born pilot and air ace of the Second World War. After the war, he went on to serve as a senior commander in the Royal Air Force.Crawford-Crompton was born in Invercargill, New Zealand on 2...
- Silver Star, Air Vice Marshal and WW2 Commander and Ace - Geoffrey CoxGeoffrey Cox (journalist)Sir Geoffrey Sandford Cox, CNZM, CBE was a New Zealand-born newspaper and television journalist. He was a former editor and chief executive of ITN and a founder of News at Ten....
Rhodes Scholar, Chief Intelligence Officer to General Freyberg in WWII, founded Britain's pioneering News at Ten on ITN. - Marton CsokasMarton Csokas-Early life:Csokas was born in Invercargill, New Zealand. His mother, a nurse, is of Irish and Danish descent; his Hungarian-born father, also named Márton Csókás, worked as a mechanical engineer...
- actor - Dan DavinDan DavinDaniel Marcus Davin was an author who wrote about New Zealand, although for most of his career he lived in Oxford, England, working for Oxford University Press....
- author, editor - Corey FlynnCorey FlynnCorey Flynn is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays in the position of hooker. He was educated at Southland Boys' High School.-Provincial:He played provincial for Southland until he moved to Canterbury in 2003....
- All Black - Ernest GodwardErnest GodwardErnest Godward was born in Marylebone, London on April 7, 1869. His working life began as an apprentice in London for a firm of hydraulic engineers and fire engine manufacturers. Here he trained as a mechanic....
- inventor of the spiral hairpin and the petrol economiser - Dene HalatauDene HalatauDene Halatau is a professional rugby league footballer for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs of the National Rugby League . A New Zealand international representative forward, he previously played club football for the Wests Tigers, with whom he won the 2005 NRL Premiership.-Bipgraphy:Halatau is...
- West Tigers Utility in the NRL - Joseph HatchJoseph HatchJoseph Hatch was a New Zealand politician, but is now remembered for harvesting penguins and elephant seals for their oil on the sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island from 1890 to 1919. About two million penguins were killed over nearly three decades. His company J...
- businessman, oil factor - Brigadier James HargestJames HargestBrigadier James Hargest CBE, DSO & 2 bars, MC, ED, MP, was a New Zealand military officer and politician.Hargest was born in Gore, where his father was a farmer. He joined the Territorial Force in 1911, and when World War I broke out, he volunteered to serve in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force,...
; CBE, DSO & 2 bars, MC, ED, MP - New Zealand chief military officer for Southland and politician - Rowena JacksonRowena JacksonRowena Othlie Jackson MBE is a New Zealand prima ballerina. Jackson was born in Invercargill, to William Ernest Jackson and Lilliane Jane, née Solomon. She attended Epsom Girls' Grammar School, in Auckland, and in 1941 won the first Royal Academy of Dancing Scholarship in New Zealand. In 1946 ...
- Royal Ballet prima ballerina - Jason Kerrison - OpshopOpshopOpshop is a New Zealand rock band formed in 2002. Their first album, You Are Here was released in 2004. Their second album, Second Hand Planet was released in 2007 and received Triple Platinum certification. It produced the successful single, One Day...
singer/songwriter - Chris KnoxChris KnoxChris Knox is a New Zealand rock and roll musician, cartoonist, and DVD reviewer who emerged during the punk rock era with his bands The Enemy and Toy Love. After Toy Love disbanded in the early 1980s, he formed the group Tall Dwarfs with guitarist Alec Bathgate, much loved for their honest,...
- infamous (in NZ) alternative rock musician - Alex LithgowAlex LithgowAlexander Frame Lithgow was a Scottish-born, New Zealand and Australian based composer and bandleader known as the "Sousa of the Antipodes"....
- composer, musician, conductor - Bill ManhireBill ManhireWilliam "Bill" Manhire, CNZM is an award-winning New Zealand poet, short story writer, and professor, New Zealand's inaugural Poet Laureate.-Biography:...
- inaugural NZ poet laureate - Khan ManuelKhan ManuelKhan Manuel is an Australian Rock, fusion guitarist noted for his debut instrumental release 'The Knight'. He has played and recorded with many other Internationally recognized guitarists including Frank Gambale, Nuno Bettencourt among others.- Early life :...
- Guitarist/Composer - Herbert James "Burt" MunroBurt MunroHerbert James "Burt" Munro was a New Zealand motorcycle racer, famous for setting an under-1,000 cc world record, at Bonneville, 26 August 1967. This record still stands today...
- inventor, motorcycle enthusiast, racer and under-1000 cc land speed record holder - Mils MuliainaMils MuliainaJunior Malili Muliaina , better known as Mils Muliaina, is a rugby union player. He plays for the Chiefs in Super Rugby and New Zealand at international level. He was born in Salesi, Samoa, then moved with his family to Invercargill, New Zealand, at the age of two...
- All Black - Harry NorrisHarry Norris (conductor)Harry Norris was a New Zealand-born conductor best remembered as musical director of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company between 1919 and 1929. After leaving that company, Norris emigrated to Canada to teach but returned to retire in England in the 1960s.-Life and career:Norris was born in...
- A music director of the D'Oyly Carte Opera CompanyD'Oyly Carte Opera CompanyThe D'Oyly Carte Opera Company was a professional light opera company that staged Gilbert and Sullivan's Savoy operas. The company performed nearly year-round in the UK and sometimes toured in Europe, North America and elsewhere, from the 1870s until it closed in 1982. It was revived in 1988 and... - Anton OliverAnton OliverAnton David Oliver is a retired New Zealand rugby union footballer who most recently played professionally for the French second-division club Toulon, noted for signing veteran greats including former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga and great George Gregan...
- All Black - Herbert PitherHerbert PitherHerbert John Pither was a professional cyclist, engine manufacturer and aviation experimenter.He grew up in Canterbury, New Zealand, where he became involved in cycling, both manufacture and racing...
- aviation legend of Southland, - Suzanne PrenticeSuzanne PrenticeSuzanne Prentice is a country singer in New Zealand.Much respected icon in New Zealand for talented leadership in educational field with young people via music,numerous recordings worldwide....
- musician - Boyce RichardsonBoyce RichardsonBoyce Richardson, CM is a Canadian journalist, author and filmmaker. While he was just a boy his family moved to Invercargill, a city noted for its feisty, independent characters like Burt Munro, The World's Fastest Indian and its current Mayor Tim Shadbolt.It was here that Richardson began his...
- journalist, author, filmmaker - Lesley Rumball - Former Silver FernsSilver FernsThe New Zealand national netball team, commonly known as the Silver Ferns, represent New Zealand in international netball. The team take their nickname from the Silver Tree Fern , which is an iconic emblem for many New Zealand sports teams. The Silver Ferns were formed in 1938 as a representative...
Captain - Victor SpencerVictor SpencerVictor Manson Spencer was a volunteer from Invercargill, New Zealand who fought in the Otago Regiment of the New Zealand Division in World War I. Victor was executed for desertion in February 1918, despite later suggestions that he was severely traumatised by shellshock, having fought and survived...
- last soldier to be executed in World War IWorld War IWorld War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, pardoned in 2005 - Garfield ToddGarfield ToddSir Reginald Stephen Garfield Todd was a reformist Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia from 1953 to 1958 and later became an opponent of white minority rule in Rhodesia. He was born in Invercargill, New Zealand.-Background:...
- Prime Minister of Rhodesia - Jeremy WaldronJeremy WaldronJeremy Waldron is professor of law and philosophy at the New York University School of Law and Chichele Professor of Social and Political Theory at All Souls College, Oxford University.-Career:...
- prominent legal and political philosopher - Joseph WardJoseph WardSir Joseph George Ward, 1st Baronet, GCMG was the 17th Prime Minister of New Zealand on two occasions in the early 20th century.-Early life:...
- Prime Minister of New ZealandPrime Minister of New ZealandThe Prime Minister of New Zealand is New Zealand's head of government consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the Parliament of New Zealand... - Jeff WilsonJeff Wilson (sportsman)-Cricket career:Wilson played his provincial cricket for Otago, as an all-rounder - both a hard-hitting batsman and a right-arm fast-medium pace bowler. His international appearances were in four games of a One Day Internationals series against Australia in the 1992-93 season, and again in an ODI...
- All Black and Black Cap ("Double All Black") - Bob YuleBob YuleRobert Duncan Yule DSO, DFC and Bar was a New Zealand born officer and fighter pilot of the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain and Second World War.-Career:...
- WWII fighter pilot