The West Coast was spurned by the early settlers to New Zealand as the lack of good arable land was a limiting factor for development. Even Maori did not extensively populate the land, restricting their involvement to pounamu (jade) and kai (food) gathering to trade back on the East Coast. Then, in 1864, gold and coal were “discovered” by the European explorers and the West Coast was transformed into the hub of the colony’s economy by the 1870’s. Thus heritage is an integral part of the psyche of the region as immigration has been instrumental in populating the West Coast.
Today, the same opportunities exist as extensive coal and gold deposits, lush grassland and stunning scenery provide the essential ingredients for primary industry.
The West Coast is the most isolated part of New Zealand with only four passes available for road travel. This has bred an independent but welcoming community and often the West Coast is seen as the soul of the way New Zealand used to be. However, this has not meant that the Coast is behind the times – indeed on community matters and lifestyle, the Coast is ahead of many other regions.
Mountains, rivers, rainforests, lakes, crashing surf, wilderness and a lack of pollution is the canvas on which families paint their lives.
