Heart of the City: Night of the Arts returns for 2025
The Heart of the City column - in partnership with Invercargill Central - puts a focus on inner city Invercargill and reaffirms the area's status as the heart of the city.
Heart of the City is brought to you in partnership with Invercargill Central. Visit invercargillcentral.nz for more info on what’s on offer.
Prepare for an evening of pure enchantment as the Night of the Arts (NoTA) returns to the Invercargill CBD on Friday, May 16 from 3pm to 9pm.
With a program bursting with creative flair, NoTA 2025 is set to bring the streets alive again.
From the harmonious melodies of community choirs to the rhythmic allure of Latin dance, live arts and quirky storytelling, NoTA promises non-stop entertainment throughout the evening. The festivities will begin with tamariki-friendly activities for the young and young at heart from 3pm.
Returning favourites include live painting, flash mob dancing, street performers, DJ beats, and art installations in unexpected places—all guaranteed to immerse attendees in the magic of Southland’s creative spirit.
This year, NoTA also extends a special invitation to artists across Southland to share their creativity with the public. For 2025, additional support will be available for participating artists, making it easier than ever to bring their vision to life.
Arts Murihiku encourages any artist wishing to contribute to contact them for this limited numbers opportunity.
“We’re proud to showcase the depth and diversity of Southland’s arts scene,” Becs Amundsen, chair of Arts Murihiku, said.
“NoTA is about coming together as a community to celebrate creativity in its many forms. Whether you’re performing, painting, or simply enjoying the atmosphere, there’s a place for everyone at NoTA.”
For more information or to explore how you can participate, mailkiaora@artsmurihiku.co.nz or phone 021 027 37315
Radio Southland fills Waitangi Day gap…
Radio Southland production engineer Tom Tutahione was a little disappointed by the lack of community Waitangi Day events on offer in Invercargill.
He’d lived in different parts of world - including Perth - which offered up more options than Invercargill.
It sparked a discussion with Radio Southland station manager Darren Ludlow. They decided to do something about it.
Last year - with Tutahione as the event co-ordinator - Radio Southland went about putting on the first Esk Fest Waitangi Day event in Esk St.
“It’s way outside of the wheelhouse of what we normally do,” Ludlow said.
“It is not what we are primarily here for, it was just that there was a need.”
Ludlow said Radio Southland is simply the conduit to help make the event happen. If it also helped people become more aware of Radio Southland, then that was simply a bonus.
The key for Radio Southland has been to make sure Esk Fest does not financially impact what it is actually in place to do, as a community radio station.
Tutahione has been able to pull in the funding to make Esk Fest happen. It has included support from ILT, ILT Foundation, Community Trust South, Invercargill City Council - through its Well-Being and Creative Communities funds - and Great South.
The first Esk Fest was held last year and despite having to contend with wet weather it was deemed a success.
“We had great feedback from the community, so we had confidence in going back to the community funders to fund another one,” Ludlow said.
The event is a chance for the Invercargill community to gather on Waitangi Day.
Food vendors will be on offer, complementing the range of food offerings already on hand at Esk Eats in Invercargill Central
A stage will again be setup at the Dee St end of Esk St and will feature Southland musicians. Ludlow said a focus was on promoting original Southland music.
“It’s a day to showcase us as a community and as a nation.”
This year - on Thursday - The Dollys, Hoodaki, and Theorem will be the three Southland acts performing.
On top of that there will also be a variety of cultural offerings from Kapa Haka to Pacific Island drummers, and also performances for Southland’s Indian community.
“This year we’ve also got quite a few different stalls, pounamu carvers and the like. There is a crowd so there is an opportunity for them to showcase their stuff.”
Esk Fest will start at 11am and run through to 3.30pm.
With the event coinciding with the start of the Burt Munro Challenge Ludlow said some visitors to town may like to enjoy what’s on offer at Esk St on Saturday.
The Highlanders-Crusaders will also play a preseason Super Rugby game at Rugby Park on Waitangi Day kicking off at 2.30pm.
Ludlow said there was an opportunity for those people to enjoy Esk Fest before heading to Rugby Park.
Dine at Esk Eats at Invercargill Central with options for all taste buds and hunger levels. From grab and go sushi, hunger busting burgers or a slice or two, a warming ramen, curry or classic street food, finishing with something sweet. Esk Eats has you covered.