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 estimated population of Invercargill City as of 2011 was 53,000. The 2006 census total was 50,328 people, an increase of 498 people (or 1.0 percent) since the 2001 census.
History
Southland was a scene of early extended contact between Europeans and Maori, in this case sealers, whalers and missionaries - Wohlers at Ruapuke. 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 provincial system, and with it the province of Otago, 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.
.jpg)
lowrez.jpg)
Things to do in Invercargill and Bluff
Invercargill is the perfect place to experience the ‘real’ New Zealand, at an unhurried pace. With wide streets, gentle traffic flow and no hustle or bustle, the city is easy to explore and has something for everyone, regardless of age or ability.
And because the sea and several significant scenic reserves are right on Invercargill’s doorstep, it’s possible to go horse riding on a beach, hear native bird song in the bush and enjoy some of the country’s best boutique and department store shopping, all in the same day.
And because the sea and several significant scenic reserves are right on Invercargill’s doorstep, it’s possible to go horse riding on a beach, hear native bird song in the bush and enjoy some of the country’s best boutique and department store shopping, all in the same day.
Invercargill Brewery
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | 8 Wood Street, Invercargill | |
ILT Velodrome
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | 1 Isabella Street Surrey Park Invercargill | |
Green Acres Country Club
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | 89 Steel Road, West Plains, Invercargill | |
Southland Golf Club (Oreti Sand Links)
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | 254 Links Road, Otatara, No.9 RD, Invercargill | |
Queens Park Golf Club
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | 215 Kelvin Street, Invercargill | |
Invercargill Golf Club (Otatara Links)
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | 190 Dunns Road, Otatara | |
Southland Fire Service Museum
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | Corner Jed and Spey Streets, Invercargill | |
Bill Richardson Truck Museum
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | 6 Anglem Street, Invercargill | |
Splash Palace
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | 56 Elles Road Invercargill 9812 | |
Rakiura Rides
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | Sandy Point Road Otatara Invercargill | |
Invercargill Velodrome
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | 22 Surrey Park Road Invercargill 9810 | |
Lynette Jack Scenic Sights
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | 22 Willis Street, Waikiwi, Invercargill | |
Rakiura Helicopters Bluff
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | Ocean Beach Heliport 250 Ocean Beach Road (SH1) BLUFF | |
Hospital Museum of Southland
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | Old Main Entrance, Southland Hosptial, Kew Rd, Invercargill, New Zealand | |
Waihopai Walkway
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | Invercargill | |
Southland Museum and Art Gallery
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | 108 Gala Street, Invercargill | |
Sandy Point
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | Sandy Point Road Otatara | |
Troopers' Memorial
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | Corner Dee and Tay Streets | |
Civic Theatre
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | Tay Street | |
First Presbyterian Church
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | Tay Street | |
Waituna Lagoon
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | Bluff | |
Porter's Lodge
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | Northern end of Dee Street | |
Dee Street Maternity Hospital
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | Northern end of Dee Street | |
St Mary's Basillica
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | Tyne Street | |
St John's Anglican Church
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | Tay Street | |
Masonic Lodge
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | 86 Forth Street | |
Victoria Railway Hotel
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | 3 Leven Street, Invecargill | |
Invercargill Club
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | Esk Street | |
St Paul's Presbyterian Church
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | Dee Street | |
The Alexander Building
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | Dee Street | |
Former Bank of New South Wales
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | Cnr Dee and Tay Streets | |
Southland Boys High School
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | Herbert Street | |
Thomsons Bush
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | Invercargill | |
The City Art Gallery
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | 28 Don Street, Invercargill | |
Queens Park
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | Enter the park on Gala Street, Queens Drive or Herbert Street. | |
Invercargill Water Tower
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | Doon Street | |
Oreti Beach
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | Follow Dunns Road through Otarara. | |
Otepuni Gardens
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | Forth Street Invercargill | |
Donovan Park
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | Bainfield Road Invercargill | |
Thompsons Bush
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | Queens Drive Invercargill | |
Anderson Park Art Gallery
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | 91 McIvor Road, Invercargill | |
The Bank Art Gallery
Contact Details: | ||
| Location: | 21 The Crescent, Invercargill | |
The Climate in Invercargill
Invercargill's weather is nothing if not variable and it is often said that one can experience four seasons in one day!Typical summer daytime maximum air temperatures range from 16°C to 23°C, occasionally rising above 30°C.
Typical winter daytime maximum air temperatures range from 8°C to 12°C. On average there are about 1600 hours of bright sunshine annually. Prevailing winds are from the south-west..
