Welcome to the Invercargill City Archives

Our aim in to build and maintain a comprehensive archive collection that is relevant to the history and development of the City of Invercargill, the surrounding Southland District and the people of these areas.

Archives are records that have been selected for preservation because of their continuing historical,informational and evidentiary value. They can come in many formats - photographs, maps, diaries, postcards, registers, minute books, letters and much more. Unfortunately not all important records have survived. It is sometimes pure luck that some records have survived to become archives and others have not.

Unlike items in the Library, archives are not able to be browsed on open shelves or borrowed. They are instead stored in secure, climate controlled areas and can only be viewed in the Archive Research Room. You will find the Archive Research Room in Information Services on the first floor.

As we are a contributor to the The Community Archive (National Register of Archives and Manuscripts), please click here for more information on our services and holdings.

If you are interested in donating to the Archive or would like to arrange a group talk or visit, please email archives@ilibrary.co.nz.

Copies of the Archives Collection Policy, Community Archives Donation Form and Introductory Guide for Donors can be found here.