Welcome to Radio Southland's Community Notices 12/01/2026
The Alpha Omega Weight Loss Group meets tonight at 6.00pm in the Church Hall on Palmer Street. For more information, contact Fran on 212 8626.
The Repco NextGen NZ Championship heads south to Ascot Park Hotel Teretonga Park International on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 January, with racing from 8am Saturday through to 5pm Sunday. Round 4 features top-tier categories including Toyota Formula Regional Oceania, GR86, GT New Zealand, TA2, and Formula Ford. Tickets are $39 Saturday, $49 Sunday, or $79 for the weekend, with kids 16 and under free. Pre-book to save, as prices are higher on the day. For details and tickets, visit teretonga.org.nz.
The Edendale Crank Up returns on Saturday 31 January and Sunday 1 February at the Edendale Vintage Machinery Club. Festivities begin with a street parade on Friday, January 30th at 7pm, followed by a full weekend of family-friendly entertainment including vintage machinery displays, steam engines, parades, craft stalls, food, and children’s activities. This year’s features celebrate Massey Ferguson / Ferguson and 60 years of Toyota in New Zealand. Entry is $20 for adults, with children under 16 free.
The Burt Munro Challenge returns to Southland from Wednesday 4 to Sunday 8 February, celebrating the life and legacy of Burt Munro with five action-packed days of motorsport. Events include the Southland Honda Track Day at Teretonga Park (8.30am, Wed 4 Feb); the Burt Munro Rally at Oreti Park, Otatara (12pm Thu 5 – Sun 8 Feb, with early camping from Wed 4); the Star Insure NZ Hill Climb Champs on Flagstaff Road, Bluff (10am Thu 5 Feb); Indian Motorcycle Twilight Drag Racing at Teretonga Park (6pm Thu 5 Feb); E Hayes & Sons Beach Racing & NZ Champs at Oreti Beach (10am Fri 6 Feb); Super Seller Shelley Speedway at Oreti Park Speedway (3pm Sat 7 Feb); and E Hayes & Sons Teretonga Sprint Races & Star Insure NZ Superbike Champs at Teretonga Park (9am Fri 6 – Sun 8 Feb, with practice/qualifying on Friday). For full details, visit .
The Niagara Falls Bluegrass Festival returns on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 February at the Niagara Falls Café, located on the Niagara–Waikawa Road in the heart of the Catlins. Musicians from across New Zealand will gather for a relaxed weekend of bluegrass and roots music in this scenic setting, just 10km from Curio Bay along the Southern Scenic Route. Camping is available on site, with ticket prices to be confirmed.
The Southern Field Days returns to Waimumu from Wednesday 11 to Friday 13 February, running daily from 9am to 5pm at 575 Waimumu Road, Gore. This major rural event will feature hundreds of exhibitors from around the country showcasing the latest in farming machinery, technology, and innovation, alongside a range of engaging events and activities for all ages. For more information, visit southernfielddays.co.nz.
The National South Island Dahlia Show, combined with the Gore Harvest Show, will be held on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 February at 4 Bury Street, Gore. Opening hours are 10am–5pm on Saturday and 10am–3.30pm on Sunday. Hosted by the Gore Garden Club, the event will feature over 500 vases of dahlia blooms from exhibitors across New Zealand, alongside harvest show exhibits from schools and the community including flowers, vegetables, fruit, baking, and preserves. Entry is $10 for adults, with children 12 and under free.
Distilled NZ is coming to Queens Park, Invercargill, on Saturday, February 21st, from 1pm to 7pm. This new premium spirits, food, and live music festival will showcase some of New Zealand’s finest distilleries, curated food vendors, and a standout live music lineup including Gin Wigmore, The Butlers, and Jackie Bristow, with more acts to be announced. General admission tickets start from $70, with VIP tickets available, and can be purchased at distillednz.co.nz.
The On the Fly Mataura River Festival is happening on Sunday, February 22nd, from 12 noon to 4pm at River Terrace, Gore. This free, family-friendly event celebrates fly fishing, the Mataura River, and Gore’s title as the World Capital of Brown Trout Fishing. Expect food vendors, fly fishing guides and enthusiasts, local artists, free kids’ activities, and a great atmosphere on the riverbank. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash at all times unless in the river.
The Southland A&P Friday Night Market returns on Friday, March 6th, from 5pm to 8pm at Donovan Park on Bainfield Road. Entry is by gold coin for adults, with children free. The market is the perfect lead-in to Show Day, taking place the following day, Saturday, March 7th, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Donovan Park.
The Gore Kids Hub Race, Ride & Slide + Colour Run is happening on Saturday, March 7th, from 9.30am at Gore Kids Hub, 13 Wayland Street. This family-friendly event features a mini triathlon for children aged 2–8, followed by a Colour Run for the whole whānau and an open day at the Hub. Entry is $10 per person or $30 per family (2 adults and 2 children).
The Gore A&P Show celebrates its 143rd year on Saturday, February 7th, from 9am to 4pm at 9 Bury Street, Gore. Held over Waitangi Weekend, the show offers a full day of rural fun with animals, entertainment, fair rides, food stalls, and plenty for the kids. Entry is $15 for adults, with free entry for those 16 and under. For updates and what’s on, follow the Gore A&P Show on Facebook.
The Mandeville Fly In & Steam Festival returns on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 February, from 10am to 3pm, at the Croydon Aviation Heritage Centre in Mandeville. Held to mark the anniversary of New Zealand’s first cross-country flight, the weekend features aircraft flying displays, opportunities for scenic flights, Waimea Plains Railway steam train rides, steam traction engines, vehicle displays, and more. A gate fee applies (price to be confirmed), with car parking available beside the airfield.
The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight comes to the Civic Theatre Invercargill on Wednesday, March 11th, at 8 pm. Presented by Festival of the Dead, this 90-minute spectacle blends classical musicianship with iconic rock and metal anthems in an atmospheric candlelit setting, featuring music from bands such as Metallica, AC/DC, Linkin Park, Guns N’ Roses, and more. Tickets range from $74 to $143 and are available through Ticketek.
The Southland Multicultural Food Festival returns on Saturday, March 21st, from 10am to 4pm at ILT Stadium Southland. Entry is by gold coin donation, with a wide range of international food stalls, cultural performances, music, and family-friendly activities celebrating the diversity of Southland’s communities. A relaxed, all-ages day out featuring great food and free entertainment.
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!