Invercargill, in the Southland region, is New Zealand's most southern city. Here we take great pride in our reputation as 'the friendly city'.

The variety of Invercargill's architectural heritage also gives the city a character all of its own. Invercargill began as a frontier town to serve the farming community. Today farming, particularly sheep and dairy, remains key to the local economy, which supports over 50,000 people.

There is excellent shopping, a focused business district, lively eateries and restaurants, and late night entertainment. Flat and easy to get around, Invercargill has all the trappings of city life and few of the drawbacks.

Invercargill is home of the Southern Institute of Technology zero fees scheme.

Fanning out from the hub, wide suburban tree-lined roads grace the streetscape. Elegant homes and bungalows are interspersed with small local shopping centres, schools and sports grounds. There are awesome parks and the largest collection of live tuatara are at the Southland Museum and Art Gallery. Nearby is the fishing port of Bluff, home to the famous Bluff Oyster Festival and departure point for the ferry to Stewart Island.

On the city's outer boundaries there are forests, the New River Estuary, the ocean and green pastures. Invercargill is favourably placed on the Southern Scenic Route and is the gateway to other exciting destinations, like the Southland heartland, Stewart Island Fiordland and The Catlins.