Invercargill is New Zealand’s southernmost city. It covers approximately 390 square kilometres and has a population of about 58,000.

Europeans began arriving in Invercargill in 1853. The Otago gold rush of the 1860s stimulated the city’s economy and population growth.

Its economy is based on agriculture, fishing, forestry, aluminium processing and tourism, with dairy products, lamb and wool among its key industries. New Zealand’s only aluminium smelter is located nearby at Tiwai Point and is a major local industrial facility. The city is also the southern terminus of the South Island’s Main South railway line. Its airport has one of the longest runways in New Zealand, supporting local transport and connections with other areas.

With relatively little light pollution, Invercargill is a popular Southern Hemisphere destination for viewing the aurora australis. The city has a strong motorsport culture and is the hometown of legendary motorcycle racer Burt Munro. It has a classic motorcycle museum and a large vintage transport museum.

The Southern Institute of Technology, one of the South Island’s five public polytechnics, has its main campus in Invercargill and additional campuses in Christchurch, Queenstown and Gore. It has approximately 13,000 students.

Invercargill formally established a sister-city relationship with Suqian, Jiangsu Province, in 2013.

The current mayor is Tom Campbell.