Has anyone ever seen the Southern Lights?

To see the Aurora Australis has been on my wish list for many years, but years come and go so fast now I'm going to have to get onto this before I end up as star dust myself.
Are sightings possible from the Mainland, or Stewart Island?
Or do you have to go to the Arctic Circle to see the majestic display?
Husband spent several years in Alaska and would like to take me there to see them, as he thinks the Southern Lights wouldn't be as good. I disagree on this one as both of the Poles have the same magnetic pull .... one is not more powerful than the other!
Please share your stories !

Yes you can see them from the South Island I remember seeing them once when I was quite young in the 1930's truly beautiful. I suspect it needs to in the winter when we are tipped towards the pole and there needs to be high sunspot activity.

Thanks Jonno, yes sunspot activity would have to be happening and clear skies too. I'm hoping that mrnarna may have seen them from Invercargill .....

Wow, why not Alaska? I would absolutely love to go there. The northern lights were on TV the other day, they are being extra spectacular because of a recent solar storm. Fascinating and a bit freaky!!