Building a stronger South Invercargill.
The Grace Street Project
The Grace Street Project is a bold, community-led initiative to transform a disused site in South Invercargill into a thriving, mixed-use venue, a place where people of all ages can connect, learn, grow and thrive.
At its heart, this 800m² facility will include eight flexible, purpose-built spaces that support education, creativity, connection, and opportunity. The Grace Street Project is part of the growing South City campus started by South Alive, and it will be a game changer for the people who live here.
Why do we need the Grace Street Project?
South Invercargill faces one of New Zealand’s most pressing socio-economic challenges. Our community experiences some of the highest rates of youth exclusion and disadvantage in the country, with families navigating barriers that limit access to opportunity and connection.
Yet despite these challenges, our community lacks something fundamental: a central, warm, and safe space where people can gather. There are few places for families to connect during the day, for young people to go after school, or for the community to come together on evenings and weekends.
The Grace Street Project addresses this critical gap. This is more than a building, it’s generational infrastructure designed to transform how our community connects. It will create a hub where people can access new opportunities, discover pathways forward, and most importantly, connect with each other in a space that is truly theirs.
This project represents our commitment to South Invercargill’s future. It’s about giving our community the foundation it deserves to thrive.
“To succeed, our rangatahi need to feel worthy, develop their confidence and be shown alternative role models. Too often our students feel unworthy of success and are caught in an intergenerational cycle of lack and limits.”
Craig Taylor, Principal of Aurora College
“About 65% of Grey Power members live in South Invercargill. They often have limited mobility, low incomes and are unable to get into the city centre for social contact and community participation. They become increasingly lonely and isolated, eventually developing associated stress and mental health problems.”
Stephanie De Ruyter, Grey Power
“There is a burgeoning gang presence looming over us in South Invercargill.”
Ministry of Social Development
“Youth in need of a safe place have nowhere to go outside of school.”
NZ Police
What are we building?
People-First Approach
We are committed to providing the infrastructure and opportunities to enable and promote lasting change. Working with partners in education, training and technology we can help people in our community to map and achieve new pathways to new futures.
We are building a welcoming and vibrant community hub that is inclusive and welcoming to all. Designed to be flexible and future proofed, the seven studios and community lounge will offer the perfect setting for a wide variety of learning opportunities, exhibitions, workshops, collaboration space, meetings, exercise and social gatherings.
Training, Learning, & Meeting Studios
Our studios will provide versatile spaces for all kinds of meetings and learning. From the self-contained upstairs boardroom with a panoramic view over Invercargill to the large exhibition hall and smaller sized studios.
Technology Hub & Youth Lounge
At one end of the building Your Corps will run an exciting technology hub, offering accredited learning options and expanding technology skills for all ages. At the other end will be a dedicated Youth Lounge and courtyard. Both will offer youth a safe space to learn, create and collaborate.
Co-Working Spaces & Mentoring
Our co-working spaces and offices for hire will be buzzing with innovation and creativity, encouraging ideas and connections for social entrepreneurs, businesses and NGOs.
Our Ambassadors and local organisations like COIN South will play a critical role in providing mentoring and access to networks to help our entrepreneurs, start-ups and businesses grow.
Hosted Community Lounge
At the heart of the hub sits the community lounge: a versatile, inviting space purpose-built for connection and growth. Offering a variety of comfortable areas, the lounge will enable community members to engage with each other as well as have access to life coaches to help with personal exploration, and the development of actionable pathways to opportunity.
Transforming lives through space and opportunity.
Empowering our people
The hub will provide a safe, welcoming lounge for people to relax, connect, and be heard. They’ll have access to technology, creative tools, and vocational programmes that build real-world skills, along with education to employment pathways developed in partnership with SIT. It will be a space for everyone to express their identity, culture, and aspirations.
A place to learn, create and belong
The hub will offer modern, flexible rooms for workshops, events, training, and enterprise. It will provide opportunities to build friendships, strengthen community ties, and support well-being. It will be a creative and inclusive home for community groups, startups, and sole traders, a place where businesses and whānau connect.
Where generations and cultures meet
A space to bring people together, young and old, māori and tauiwi, newly arrived and long established, where everyone feels like they belong.
A brighter, more sustainable future
This is more than just a building. It’s infrastructure for hope. Every part of the project is designed with hauora (total wellbeing) in mind. This will be a vibrant space where community wellbeing is at the centre.
Our Impact
We will connect as a community and step up to live bigger lives that improve individual, family, community and regional outcomes.
South Invercargill’s social infrastructure is strengthened.
Shared space increases organised and informal participation, enabling collaboration that would not otherwise occur.
Access to opportunity is visible, local and practical.
Residents can clearly see and step into pathways for learning, enterprise, employment and support.
Isolation reduces as relationships deepen.
Connection through shared space builds trust, confidence and intergenerational ties over time.
Young people grow up connected to real pathways.
Rangatahi access safe, inclusive space where they build skills, confidence and clear next steps toward their aspirations.
Local ideas turn into action.
Grace Street enables innovation, small enterprise and employment pathways by bringing people, ideas, mentorship and opportunity into proximity.
Pride in place strengthens community capability.
The space reflects and reinforces the strengths of South Invercargill, contributing to resilience, confidence and collective ownership.
Funding update
Who has funded us so far?
We have raised over $4 million from generous supporters and donors, partnering with many organisations that share our values and recognise the importance of building this space for our community.
Support for the project
“A purpose-built venue will help facilitate more technologically sophisticated events and
create new opportunities for the community. In my view, this is desperately needed in
Invercargill and would be an extremely worthwhile investment in the region, particularly for
South Invercargill.”
James Wards Owner/Founder Your Corps
“We would use the centre to meet with people, support their pathway planning, and provide
seminars and training to help them successfully transition to new opportunities. We believe
a community facility of this type would remove barriers to access and prove invaluable to
the community and to the successful delivery of services.”
Ivan Hodgett Operations Manager at Murihiku Regeneration
“Our students need pride in where they are from and a sense of belonging to encourage great learning. Our whānau are deeply engaged in making things as great as they can for their tamariki, but they face some challenges unique to them and to South Invercargill. I can see this project alleviating many of those challenges.”
Alison Cook Principal at Te Kura O Whare Pā / Fernworth Primary School
“Etū Union formally endorses the Grace Street Project. 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. This project aligns with our purpose: “Empowering working people and our communities for a better life.” We intend to actively support both the development and implementation of this initiative.”
Annie Newman Assistant National Secretary for the ETŪ UNION
Join us to bring our community together and create opportunity
Philanthropists & Individuals
By investing in the project you are making a significant gesture, one that will empower our community through access to opportunities and resources, positively impacting their lives.
You’ll be helping to build a legacy that will support our future tech consultants, truck drivers, engineers, analysts, foresters, dairy farmers, maintenance technicians and teachers. Making a brighter future for all.
For Major Donors
Your contribution creates a generational legacy through permanent infrastructure that will serve thousands of Southlanders for decades to come. Major naming rights are available for spaces, rooms, and programmes, offering a lasting connection to place that holds particular significance for those with roots in the region.
This is strategic philanthropy at its best, with the opportunity to leverage government co-funding and multiply your impact. For those whose values align with breaking cycles of disadvantage, this investment in infrastructure creates meaningful, multi-generational change.
For Community Supporters
Every contribution, whether a one-time gift or a monthly donation starting from as little as $10, makes you part of something bigger. Join hundreds of fellow Southlanders in building this together and experience the pride of saying “I helped build that.”
The impact is tangible and close to home – people you know will use this space, and your support will benefit the community for generations to come.
Organisations
Supporting the Grace Street Project is a sound business decision. By partnering with us, you’ll enhance your corporate social responsibility, increase brand awareness, and make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
This is an opportunity to move beyond sponsorship to genuine community investment, one that builds brand loyalty, staff pride, and lasting business relationships.
For Corporate Partners
Position your business as a community leader through an authentic brand connection with The Grace Street Project. Major partners can secure naming rights and prominent visibility within a high-traffic, permanent facility, while also creating meaningful staff engagement opportunities.
For Local Businesses
Supporting The Grace Street Project doesn’t require a major commitment – affordable entry points start from $50 to $500, with options for in-kind contributions or monthly giving.
In return, you’ll build grassroots goodwill and customer loyalty while networking alongside other businesses and community leaders who share your values. It’s a practical way to demonstrate your commitment to Southland while connecting with the people who will become part of this thriving community space.
The investment is tax-efficient too – a $10,000 donation becomes only $6,700 after the rebate.
Watch Craig Taylor, Principal of Aurora College, speak about what the Grace Street Project will mean for his community
Are you ready to help build a brighter future for Invercargill?
If you're able to make a difference and help us achieve our goals, please reach out to talk about your investment options or to discuss any in-kind support you may be able to provide. We are grateful for your support, and every contribution brings us closer to our vision.
We’ve raised over $4 million, and with your help, we can finish the job.
We look forward to hearing from you.