Welcome to Hokitika and Westland

A Mayoral Welcome
to Hokitika and Westland, West Coast, New Zealand

From Her Worship, Marueen Pugh,
Mayor Westland District Council.

Welcome to Hokitika and Westland.

The Westland region is a truly unique place in the World, where the glaciers, Fox and Franz Josef/Waiau, are the main attractions for most visitors to our region. Extending to a few hundred meters above sea level the glaciers are unusual in their proximity to the Tasman Sea and easily accessed from the scenic coast road that runs the length of the West Coast.

But Hokitika and Westland are so much more than these two glorious gems. The Hokitika Gorge or any of our wonderful lakes and river valleys are also well worth the time to experience. While the entire Coast is dotted with historic places and settlements, the remnants of the previous gold rush, mining and timber years are very evident in Westland.

From Kumara in the north of the Westland District to Haast and Jackson Bay in South Westland we have so much to offer in the way of adventure, scenic attractions, ecological places and just plain old beautiful spots for a Westland Weekend or Hokitika Holiday break.

Hokitika itself abounds with history, places to see and people to meet. The National Kiwi Center offers visitors the opportunity to learn about and see up close our national icon, the Kiwi, and the last dinosaur, our Tuatara. Feeding time for the eels is another popular event, with some of these said to be over 100 years in age.

The local Church buildings are renowned for their stone structure, while no mention of Hokitika itself would be complete without the Wildfoods Festival held annually on the second Saturday of March. First begun in 1990 the festival has become so popular that tickets have had to be capped, as the award-winning event attracts visitors from all over New Zealand and the World.

"Westland District Mayor, Maureen Pugh"

The Hokitika beach is a great place for memorable sunsets, for the best make your way to Sunset Point where the Hokitika river meets the Tasman Sea. Following rain or a stormy Tasman the beach is also a good place to fossick for pieces of pounamu (jade) that have been washed up.

Of course if you prefer a carved and polished piece then there are a number of outlets in the township offering a wide variety of jade (pounamu) jewellery and carvings. Where you can not only buy, but learn about the significance of Pounamu to local Maori and watch as the stone is carved and polished.

While your taking that spot of retail therapy remember to check out the glass blowing and pieces at Hokitika Glass Studio and the natural gold nuggets in The Gold Room. At Ocean Paua you can watch as pounamu and paua shell are skilfully carved to form more unique pieces.

Welcome to Hokitika and Westland,

Wishing you safe and happy travels,
Maureen Pugh
Mayor Westland District.

A Suggested Itinerary

3 Days / 2 Nights. Travel: Train - Self Drive: Experience the TranzAlpine over Arthurs and sample the best of the Natural West, The Hokitika Gorge and Lake Kaniere, then complete the experience by road over Arthur's.