Welcome to Radio Southland's Community Notices 18/09/2025
Voting for the 2025 local body elections for Invercargill City Council, Southland District Council, Environment Southland, and the Invercargill Licensing Trust is now open and closes at 12 noon on Saturday, October 11. Voting papers are being delivered by post until September 22. Completed papers can be dropped at Te Hīnaki – Civic Building on Esk Street, the Bluff Service Centre, the elections hub at Invercargill Central, or in the orange Vote Murihiku bins around Invercargill, Bluff, and the wider Southland district. Special Votes are available at council offices, libraries, and election hubs for those who have not received their papers or need assistance to vote. Candidate information is included with your voting papers and available online at:
Applications are now open for the final Murihiku Antony Welton Fellowship, offered by Te Rourou, One Aotearoa Foundation. The Fellowship provides $10,000 to support one rangatahi from Invercargill or Bluff to pursue a 12-month goal and long-term vision that creates positive change for other young people. Past recipients have led projects in areas such as youth justice, education, cultural identity, and gender equity. Applications are open and close at 5pm on Friday, October 3, with the recipient announced in November. For more information and to apply, email terourou@one.nz.
Sunrise Rotary Invercargill is hosting a community Tree Planting Day at Daffodil Bay, Sandy Point, Otatara on Sunday 21 September from 9am. Everyone is welcome to come along, lend a hand, and support local conservation efforts. For more information, see the event page Grow Invercargill: Sunrise Rotary Tree Planting Day on Facebook.
This school holidays, starting Monday, September 22, South Alive are hosting two weeks of free holiday fun at 262 Ness Street, Invercargill. Week one features arts and crafts, Lego building, and a flower workshop, while week two includes more Lego building, cooking for kids, a library drop-in, and Ti Rakau. Parental supervision is required. For full details, times, and days, check out South Alive Invercargill on Facebook.
Kevin Bloody Wilson brings his Aussie Icon Tour to the Civic Theatre, Invercargill, on Tuesday, September 23 at 7:30pm. Known for his politically incorrect humour and cult classic songs, Kevin returns with support from Jenny Talia for a night of outrageous comedy and music. Tickets are $77 (A Reserve) and $68.50 (B Reserve). R18. Presented by Pacific Entertainment and Both Barrels.
The Bluff Drama Club presents its annual Theatre Restaurant production Spinning Out, running nightly from Wednesday, September 24 to Saturday, September 27. Expect a night of comedy, music, and plenty of entertainment. Tickets are still available — book via the Bluff Drama Club Facebook page or by calling Shelly on 027 340 7126. EFTPOS available, no BYO, R.O.A.R.
The Winton Garden Club Spring Flower Show will be held at the Winton Memorial Hall on Thursday, September 25 from 1pm–5.30pm and Friday, September 26 from 9am–3.30pm. Enjoy stunning displays of spring flowers, thousands of daffodils, floral art, children’s craft entries, plant stalls, raffles, and more. Entry is $5, with children free. Schedules are available from Winton Mitre10 or by emailing christine@csdesignz.co.nz.
The Inspiring Wāhine Rural Conference comes to Croydon Lodge, Gore, on Thursday, October 16 and Friday, October 17, following International Rural Women’s Day on October 15. This event celebrates and empowers rural women with opportunities to connect, learn, and share experiences alongside wāhine from across Aotearoa. Thanks to new grant funding, a special “Bestie & Team Bundle” offer is available — three tickets for the price of two. Numbers are limited, so visit www.inspiringwahine.nz/3-for-2-bundles to secure your spot.
The ILT Southland Music Awards return on Saturday, October 18 at ILT Stadium Southland, with doors opening at 6pm. For the first time, the awards will be held alongside the Southland Music Hall of Fame, creating one epic night of live music, performances from Hall of Fame inductees and Entertainer of the Year finalists, and awards celebrating Southland’s best past, present, and future. The Southland Entertainer of the Year will also be crowned live on the night. Tickets are on sale now at stadiumsouth.flicket.co.nz.
The Great Little Train Show is here again this coming Labour Day Weekend at the SSME Club Grounds and Badminton Halls, Surrey Park Invercargill. This is the events 40th year, so expect all the same fun and tons more. Entry is $2 for children, $8 for adults, and a family pass of two adults and up to three children is $15 – eftpos available for entry.
The South Alive Rangatahi Events Crew are hosting a Youth Market at 262 Ness Street, Invercargill, on Saturday, October 25th, from 11 am to 2 pm, featuring young people showcasing their talents with stalls or acoustic performances, alongside youth organisations sharing what’s available for rangatahi in Murihiku. There will also be a BBQ fundraiser, lawn games, and other activities. Cash only. Youth interested in having their own stall can find the sign-up form here: Youth Sign Up Form. Any questions, please email stacey@southalive.org.nz.
Every second Wednesday of the month, get ready for a fantastic monthly music night hosted by the Lower Mataura Valley. It all goes down at 7:30 pm sharp, right at the Mataura RSA. For just $5, you're in for a night of great tunes and even better company. And here's a little extra encouragement: feel free to bring along a plate of your favourite snacks to share with fellow music lovers!
On weekdays in Bluff, there are Te Rourou sessions from 8:30 to 5 pm where everyone’s welcome to come along and relax with a cuppa and enjoy a safe, secure environment for your little ones. For more information, please call 212 8866.
Every second Thursday of the month, the Art Attic Gallery hosts a Poetry Night that kicks off at 7 pm. And the best part? It's completely free to enter, plus they'll even throw in some tasty nibbles and drinks. You can find The Art Attic Gallery at 43 Tay Street in Invercargill.
Age Concern is on the lookout for some amazing individuals like you! They need volunteer visitors to share a little joy with our older friends who might feel isolated. Imagine a cozy home visit, a stroll together, sharing a cuppa or just chatting. If you've got a spare hour each week, you could make a world of difference to someone in need of a bit of company. So, if you're up for lending an ear and some good company, Age Concern would love to hear from you! Reach out to Chris at Age Concern by dialling 2186351.
If you've got a bit of free time and a fantastic reading voice, the telephone information service for the blind is looking for folks who can help with daily or weekly readings from the newspaper, and you can do it right from the comfort of your own home! Interested? Get in touch with the Blind Foundation at 218 3927.
Anyone interested in joining the Foveaux Pearls Leisure Marching Group, please contact Dianne Blair on 216 4962.
And now a run-down of regular events and services in our province
Activities:
Invercargill Parkrun is a free, weekly, timed 5km event held every Saturday from 9am at Queens Park. Meet at the cricket pavilion carpark and walk, jog, run or volunteer - everyone is welcome. Head to their Facebook page for all of the details!
On Sundays from 9.30-1.30 the Southern Farmers Market is open at the old Railway Station - look for the market sign. Enjoy food, arts, crafts and produce in this popular market setting – it’s great to sit down and have lunch with the family!
Agencies:
The Loss & Grief Centre’s Invercargill drop-in centre is open Monday to Friday from 10am-4pm. You can also call or text 027 443 87 88, email lossandgriefcentre@gmail.com, or send them a message. The Centre also provides services in Winton, Gore, Mataura & Te Anau. Visit their website – www.lossandgriefcentre.com for more information.
Do you binge eat? Purge, starve, or compulsively exercise? Wherever you are, whatever your problem with food, Addictive Eaters Anonymous can help. Visit www.aeainfo.org to find out more about Addictive Eaters Anonymous.
Learning Differences Aotearoa are available to help if you or your child has a learning difference and needs some support – call or text Chris on 027 201 69 51, or email support@learningdifferences.org.nz.
Hearing Southland & their associated clinics in Leet St are open and taking bookings by phone - 214 91 54.
If you are elderly and need social support, access to help with meals or care services, support is available from Age Concern. Meals are available to pick up, and exercise classes are on. You are welcome to make an appointment to talk to someone, please wear a mask when you come in. They can also come to visit you. You can call them on 218 63 51, or visit ageconcern.org.nz.
If you have concerns about a senior’s safety, call the Elder Abuse Helpline for advice on 0800 326 68 65.
Jubilee Budgeting Services are available online or by phone – call 0800 Jubilee, or text 027 Jubilee. Go to their Facebook page for more information on what help they can provide. Appointments are able to be made to get advice over the phone, or to come to the office and meet in person.
The Southland Community Law Centre in the Cue on Don building in Don St are available to help - phone ahead to make an appointment – 0800 55 0800. Their hours are 9:00am – 4:00pm Tuesday to Thursday, Monday & Friday by appointment. They also offer outreach services to Gore and Fiordland.
Council services, museums & galleries:
The Invercargill Public Library is open from 9-6 weekdays, and 10-4 on weekends. The Bluff Library is open Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm, and Saturdays from 10-1. The Archives in Invercargill are open – but please call ahead to book in on 03 211 15 73. Please return all books through the slots. MyBookBag is still available for free contactless book delivery – go to www.ilibrary.co.nz/mybookbag
Southland District Council area offices and libraries are open. Travelling library options are also available with the mobile bookbus, and have you checked their digital library options? To find out more go to southlanddc.govt.nz and click on ‘Libraries’ – or call them on 0800 732 542!
Te Hikoi Museum in Riverton is open every day from 10-4 – call them for more information on 03-234 8260 or visit their Facebook page!
The Thornbury Vintage Tractor Muesum focuses on Southland’s rural heritage and local history. With an extensive collection of vintage farm machinery, this is a great Sunday drive visit. It’s at 61 Foster Rd Thornbury, and its open Sundays from 1.30-4.30pm. Entry is $5. You can also call Fraser on 021 03 85 196 to arrange a time to visit!
The Otautau Gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10-5. They’re at 110 Main St, Otautau, have a stunning collection of arts and crafts and they’re part of the Western Southland Arts Trail. Check out their Facebook page or phone 225-86-38 for more information. Entry is free!
The Southland Fire Museum is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Sundays from 11-4, and can also open for group bookings – call Les on 027 254 6464. It’s on the corner of Jed and Spey Streets, and entry is a gold coin donation!
He Waka Tuia on the corner of Don & Kelvin Streets is open from 10-5 Monday-Friday and 11-2.30 on weekends. This combined art and museum space is proud to celebrate everything Murihiku. Have a visit and explore their immersive exhibitions with the kids – entry is free!
The Awarua Communications Museum is open on Sundays from 1-4pm. Take a step into a unique part of our history, view their collection of local & national communications memorabilia and enjoy their interactive exhibitions. Entry is cash only – it’s $6 for adults and $3 for children.
The Bluff Maritime Museum is open from Monday-Friday from 10-4. They have lots of fascinating history to view, including fishing & sealing memorabilia, tours of an oyster boat, and info about this earliest European settled community, including shipwrecks in the challenging southern waters. Admission for adults is $5, and its $1 for children.
The Eastern Southland Gallery is open from 10-4.30 on weekdays, and 1-4pm on weekends! For more information on the gallery and current exhibitions, visit www.esgallery.co.nz.
If you’re a community organisation or are hosting an event – do get in touch - give us a call on 03 2189891, email admin@radiosouthland.org.nz, or go to the contact us form on our website!