News
Invercargill City Council has announced the winners of its Wee Delights competition after receiving hundreds of project suggestions from locals eager to improve their community.
The competition, designed to encourage early engagement with Council's Long-term Plan 2027-2037, asked Invercargill and Bluff residents to submit ideas for small projects costing around $5000 or less that would make a big difference locally.
More than 230 entries were received in the main competition, with almost 110 submissions from children aged five to 13.
Tania McCann won the main prize pack, which includes a private Murihiku Māori Tours experience, meal voucher from Hayz @ The Anchorage, overnight stay at The Langlands, and outdoor bath at Fern & Feather Retreat. Additional prizes came from Bill Richardson Transport World, Southern Saunas, Solve It & Escape, and Splash Palace.
"I was really excited – I hadn't actually thought about it as a chance to win a prize. I just thought it was a really great idea, to have people engage with Council about what mattered to them. Those little, niggly things are actually the things that make a real difference in people's lives," McCann said.
Her winning suggestion was extending gravel on the Talbot Reserve walkway, where she walks her cocker spaniel Beau daily in summer but avoids in winter due to mud.
"It is such a great asset. It's absolutely stunning – it couldn't get more beautiful than up on those tracks on a beautiful day, with all of the native trees and birdsong. Asking for the gravel felt like a simple thing that would make a really big difference to me, as well as the many people that use the track," she said.
Project ideas ranged from manu competitions in Bluff to new pump tracks, dog agility logs at Ōreti Sands, playground equipment, and signage celebrating Invercargill facts.
Mayor Tom Campbell said all suggestions will be presented to elected members on May 26. "Sadly, I don't think we will be able to build a theme park, but there were so many positive ideas, and I really enjoyed hearing from so many people in our community."
Sneh from Waihōpai School won the kids' competition, earning a Splash Palace day out with classmates.