Invercargill, We Can.

The Grace St Project: Building A Brighter Tomorrow For Invercargill

Our vision at The Grace Street Project is to build a Community Hub that is warm, inviting, friendly and full of opportunity. This space aims to become a source of inspiration and endless possibilities for every single member of our community.

Our mission is to make sure that every person in south Invercargill feels connected, acknowledged, and valued when they step inside.

We're not just building walls; we're building a place where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together, learn, and grow.

Build a brighter tomorrow for Invercargill. Can You Pitch In?

Why The Grace Street Project Is Needed

Over 34% of Invercargill’s population reside in south Invercargill, where The Grace Street Project calls home. However, often overshadowed by the misconception that Invercargill is affluent, the stark numbers for the south of our city reveal a different reality.

Increase social connection and belonging to help overcome isolation.

Provide safe and intergenerational spaces

Improve tech literacy and skills

Help in identifying life pathways and facilitate learning

Can You Pitch In?

With plans in place and 3.5 million dollars of funding secured, we’re asking you to help us to the finish line and kick-start the construction of our community hub. 

Whether it’s financial support or support in-kind, we’d love to hear from you. You can donate now or contact us to talk about how you can help.

Together, we can build a brighter tomorrow for Invercargill.

Creating A Hub For Opportunity

While the struggle is real for many in our community, with your help, we can empower change for all Invercargill.

The Grace Street Project’s 800m2 building and eight versatile spaces will offer an opportunity for learning, recreation, and connection. From interactive workshops to lively gatherings, a cutting-edge youth tech hub, training and educational studios, and co-working areas, these spaces are designed to empower individuals of all ages and backgrounds.

The project takes inspiration from David Trubridge Whale Tail sculpture that stands proudly in south Invercargill. Trubridge said of his sculpture, “the geometric patterning of nature providing the blueprint for strength and growth and the tail flick of a great whale propelling a forward momentum''. This concept of strength, growth and forward momentum, felt like an analogy for The Grace Street Project and how it aims to impact the community.

  • “We would use the Centre to meet with people to support their pathway planning and provide seminars and training related to successfully transitioning to different opportunities.”

    Murihiku Regenerate

  • “Our whānau are very engaged in making things as great for their tamariki as they can, but there are some challenges unique to them, and to South Invercargill, and I can see this project alleviating many of those. This project feels like something that could encourage amazing community pride and that the possibilities would only grow more and more.”

    Te Kura o Whare Pā – Fernworth Primary School

  • “The Grace Street Project offers the opportunity to partner with a highly credible community partner (the IC2 Trust) to establish connections, engagement and ultimately pathways with people in our community who we will otherwise struggle to reach

    Southern Institute of Technology - Te Pūkenga

  • "We see huge value in the work that IC2 are progressing, as part of the creation of a broad range of safe and inclusive spaces for young people in the Invercargill area."

    Te Rourou, One Aotearoa Foundation - One NZ

  • "A purpose-built venue would enable more technologically sophisticated events and opportunities for the South Invercargill community."

    Your Corps

  • "As an organisation, we work closely with rangatahi and youth, so we can attest to the need for a space such as this that provides these services, particularly in South Invercargill where a large portion of our Maori/Pasifika community reside."

    MIHARO, Māori and Pasifika cultural arts trust based in Invercargill

  • "65% of Grey Power members live in South Invercargill and most can’t drive or get into town so they can’t participate in most of our activities. The opportunity to be active, included and belong in a space which spans all age groups is really important. There isn’t anywhere now for them and intergenerational is so important."

    Grey Power

  • "This project aligns to our purpose. ‘Empowering working people and our communities for a better life.' It would be invaluable to have a community based facility such as this in South Invercargill where many of our members and workplaces are located or reside."

    E tū Union

  • “We have been trying to find ways to be more active within the Southland community to raise awareness that people with disabilities can make valuable and positive contributions to our communities. This project creates a great opportunity for us.”

    CCS Disability Services

  • "A multipurpose facility so close to much of our community will allow greater inclusion and opportunities to mix with wider groups if and when our members are ready. A facilitated community lounge would be a fantastic asset for our already vulnerable groups as it would help provide an element of security and careful management of people movement if necessary."

    Chroma the LGBTQI+ initiative for Southland

  • "We would welcome the opportunity to have access to exhibition space for our members. We often need a venue for a range of activities, such as workshops and it would be good to be close to the centre of South City. Your proposal would be a boost to the South Invercargill area."

    Southland Art Society

A yound girl staring intently with a steering wheel in front of her playing a driving game
A group of adults sat at long tables staring in front of them