Prestonville, New Zealand

Prestonville is a suburb and industrial area in the New Zealand city of Invercargill.

The area is low-lying and at risk from flooding and sea level rise.

In 1984, Waihopai River burst its banks, inundating Prestonville "like a tidal wave". It caused major flooding in Prestonville and other suburbs, leading to property damage, homelessness and job losses. Flood banks were installed to prevent further floods.

In the 1980s, a 24-hour aluminium processing plant was established in Prestonville to support the Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter. Locals successfully campaigned to limit the site's operating hours to 6am to 10pm due to the loud noise it created. The factory closed in 1994.

In 2018, Fire and Emergency New Zealand investigated a series of suspicious fires in Prestonville and other parts of the city.