| Council Meeting | Thursday 27 February, 1 pm |
| Risk and Assurance Meeting | Friday 28 February, 1 pm |
| Council Controlled Organisations Committee Meeting | Thursday 27 March, 10 am – 12 pm |
| Council Meeting | Thursday 27 March, 1 pm |
Every three years, Westland District council develops a Long-Term Plan (LTP), also known as a 10-Year Plan. This crucial document outlines the council’s vision, priorities, and spending plans for the next decade. It’s essentially a roadmap for how the community will grow and develop, covering everything from roads and parks to libraries, water services, and community facilities.
The LTP directly impacts on your daily life. It determines:
The council will soon be consulting with the community on its draft LTP. This means you can:
Submissions are a vital part of the democratic process. They allow the council to hear from a wide range of voices and perspectives, ensuring that the LTP reflects the needs and aspirations of the community. Your submission can influence the final decisions made by the council.
Don’t miss this opportunity to shape the future of our community! Have your say on the Long-Term Plan in April!
This month the team at the Hokitika isite Visitor Information Centre are giving us an insight into what it is like to be part of the team offering visitor information services.
Manager Lucretia Maitland and her staff Kaytee Wright, Lisa Ford, Sharon Knightbridge and Sharon Thompson are enjoying a busy summer season with many people visiting the isite to find out what Westland and the wider country have to offer.
A typical day in the Hokitika isite Visitor Information Centre varies hugely from season to season. However, we do have some standard daily activities: Doors get flung open, flags go up, and we do a quick tidy. Next up we check the emails and voicemails. Customers and visitors are always our priority, so messages are returned as soon as we can. Some of the team will jump into some marketing, with others restocking brochures, and ensuring all marketing slots are looking tidy. Someone will confirm any “referrals”, which are when a customer is booked in for an activity (such as a glacier Heli Hike) but not paid, in case of weather cancellation. Some of the team may head out to meet with operators, especially in the quieter season. The AA counter is often steady throughout the day, with people sitting their learner licence, getting road user charges, overseas licence conversions, as well as licence plates and a variety of other offerings. This can be a very busy corner, and we are happy to see locals coming in to use this service.
The types of enquiries or issues that we receive is very varied. We deal with all sorts; typical questions are about the Hokitika Gorge and Glacier Country. They are the most marketed products, which is a real driver for visitors to the region. From here we get to tease out other activities, accommodation and food offerings for them, to encourage them to spend time in our excellent retail shops in town and realise we have just about everything you could imagine.
A common misconception is that we just provide advice. We have a combination of offerings in the isite, with our AA counter and a dry-cleaning service, as well as our booking services. We can also make bookings across the country for most things, and in the not too far future we will be able to book overseas excursions, including accommodation, travel, and activities. These booking services are beneficial to domestic operators because our commission rate for bookings allows them to retain more of their profit, compared to the likes of booking.com and other large web-based sites.
The challenges of working in the isite are seasonally dependent. Mother nature can cause disruption for our visitors, and we are the front line for welfare in cases of road closures, bad weather warnings, and other similar events. As a visitor service centre we will help by redirecting these people to potentially switch their travel plans, alternating on either side of the island. We are very aware that these disruptions are extremely difficult for our local travel operators and can affect their revenue, so we try to ensure visitors will come back and experience what Westland has to offer.
We have really seen an increase not only of foot traffic coming into the isite but also enquiries about the wider West Coast. Marketing through social media has become the core advertising for us, which has had a flow on effect with enquiries. The team has been lucky enough to go out with operators in the region, understanding their businesses, learning about their activities – such as helicopter flights, kayaking, greenstone tours.
The favourite part of our job is showcasing Westland as a region. We have so much to offer, and once we have finished helping the customer, we find they wish they had booked more time in the region. It is such a pleasure for us to be able to ensure visitors to New Zealand have a safe, and enjoyable experience while they are here, and support our local community economy.
This all revolves around people. Not only our local community but also our visitors, we enjoy each person we deal with daily and love the challenges. This is why our team decided to pursue a career in tourism. People are the core focus for us as a community, and a region. We have something so special to offer here, with not only our location, but also our communities. We are a growing region, and have continued to rebuild post covid, and with tourism being one of our country’s biggest earners, it is an opportunity to showcase Westland and the West Coast to the world. If people leave here with good memories, that itself brings more people back to the area.
To support our staff to offer the best visitor services, as part of isiteNZ there are requirements we must meet. Currently the training, provided by isiteNZ, involves an eight-podcast series, that are specific to isiteNZ, and where the direction is headed as an industry. From these, staff are required to do the 100% Pure New Zealand Training, which are short modules on New Zealand’s tourism offering. At the Hokitika isite, we encourage our staff to do a level 3 Tourism New Zealand Certificate. From here there are other options – all provided by Tourism New Zealand.
If someone is considering a career in tourism, we’d say take the leap! It is a different industry, but you get to meet people of all diverse cultures. Most importantly, it allows you the opportunity to help contribute to the local economy. Here in Westland, we have a passion for where we live. That includes you, the people, your businesses, and the environment. If you are passionate about where you are it certainly is a fantastic step.
Come in! Come in and see us, meet the team, and see how we operate. We have an opportunity to really support the local economy, and we need our community behind us to do that. Our door is open 7 days a week (minus Christmas day), and we love to help. Even if you just need advice that is what we are here for. We have a core intention of driving people into locals’ businesses, to support you and your families.
Text and photos: Hokitika Westland isite and Westland District Council
We are delighted to announce the successful conclusion of this year’s Westland District Library Summer Reading Challenge, which saw over 70 children participating.
The Summer Reading Challenge helps to maintain and improve children’s reading and literacy skills over the break, encourages a love for books, and provides a fun and engaging way for families to spend time together.
Well done to everyone who participated, and congratulations to our two prize winners, Leon Sargisson (age 9 yrs) and Guus Foulger (age 6yrs), who each receive a $50 book voucher. Additionally, a special mention and $50 voucher goes to Tasman Smith (age 10 yrs), who read an impressive 4,850 minutes over the two-month challenge, logging the most minutes in the competition.
This year, we were particularly impressed by the creativity of our participants. Many children shared wonderful photos of themselves reading to their pets and enjoying books in some of our beautiful West Coast locations and their book inspired Lego® models. These moments highlight the joy and adventure that reading can bring.
Thank you to all the participants and their families for making this year’s challenge a success. Keep an eye out for our mini reading challenges for children and adults throughout the year, and we look forward to seeing you at the library.
Text and photos: Westland District Library
Do you live in one area and pay rates on a property in another area?
You may qualify to vote in both areas at the local authority elections in October 2025
You may like to vote in this election. Voting is a way to have your say on what happens in your local community. This information is designed to help you. It notes who you can contact to enrol, and ways you might qualify to vote.
There are two types of electors
Residential Electors – If you are registered to vote on the electoral roll, you are automatically enrolled to vote in local authority elections. You will receive a voting document so that you can vote by post.
Ratepayer Electors – You may also be eligible to enrol as a non-resident ratepayer elector in a council district if both of these apply:
Your eligibility to enrol or be nominated as a ratepayer elector may also depend on your individual circumstances as determined by criteria in the Local Electoral Act 2001 and its regulations.
Enrol now – the Ratepayer Electoral Roll closes on 1 August 2025
Enrol online here.
Happy New Year everyone, from the Westland Industrial Heritage Park.
We hope you will come to visit us and see our displays, ride on the railway and talk to our members. We really enjoy your company.
In the September issue we let you know that we had applied for a Lotteries grant to build a new Craft Centre, one of our most popular displays. Our application was only partially successful, so we have decided to stage the project over multiple years and continue fund raising.
Our other two new facilities are slowly taking shape. With the buildings complete, displays are being developed. In the Tracks and Wheels, several exhibits have been prepared and are now displayed, although some of the space is being taken by some Fire Engines. Much of the Boatshed display material has been moved to the new Maritime Centre Building. Rob has been restoring a privately owned trailer yacht as a fundraising project.
The Dairy display in the Heritage and Learning Centre has also progressed well. Denise has made a wonderful job of hand painting the pastoral scene as a backdrop.
Jim has made great progress with lining the north wall of the Steam Shed and funding is on hand for the next phase of work.
A large number of items belonging to the Hokitika Museum have been stored for some time in the Brown Shed. Several members have done sterling work tidying the shed so that Museum staff can visit and evaluate these items. Some will remain in storage, some may return to the museum, and some will be exhibited at the Heritage Park. This project will be of great benefit to the Heritage Park as it will allow better use of the workshop / display space in the Brown Shed.
The Livery team has continued with cleaning, restoring and conserving various items including the large horse cart from Seaview Hospital.
The railway team has been doing improvements to the points, traverser and turntable on the Mudfish Railway. They have also been discussing plans for safety improvements on the incoming track and adding a second outgoing passenger loading area.
As I said at the start, we like to show people what we are doing. We hope you come for a visit. We know you will enjoy yourself and even learn a little about our Westland Heritage and of course, have a ride on the train.
Contact Information :
Email: wihpark@gmail.com
Web site: http://www.westlandheritage.co.nz
Address: 9 Brian Waugh Lane, Hokitika 7810
Text and photos: Westland Industrial Heritage Park
Since opening in early December, Kura Pounamu – Our Treasured Stone has continued to draw a large number of visitors from across the region, the country, and beyond to the Hokitika Museum. Many have expressed how moving it is to experience these taonga (treasures) up close, not only admiring their beauty and craftsmanship but also feeling the wairua (sprit) they carry—especially when connecting with the touch stone Te Hurika.
As staff fine-tune operations in the newly strengthened building, the West Coast’s long stretch of summer sunshine has created a warm and welcoming atmosphere for guests exploring both the exhibition and the town.
Now is the perfect time to experience this remarkable exhibition of pounamu before it closes on April 27, 2025. One visitor recently shared: “Seeing these pieces in person is a powerful reminder of the artistry and whakapapa behind pounamu. It’s something you have to experience for yourself.”
Following the exhibition’s conclusion, Hokitika Museum will temporarily close to install a brand-new fit-out dedicated to Westland’s local history. When it reopens on June 28, 2025, visitors will be welcomed into refreshed galleries celebrating our region’s rich heritage.
We encourage everyone to visit, learn, and connect with this extraordinary exhibition while it’s here. Entry is free, and Hokitika Museum is open daily from 10 AM to 4:30 pm.
Text and photo: Hokitika Museum
Thanks to West Coast Disability Resource Service and WestReap a new communication board has been installed at Cass Square in Hokitika, making the space more inclusive and accessible for everyone in our community!
What is a Communication Board?
A communication board is a tool with pictures, symbols, and words that helps non-verbal individuals, those with speech difficulties, young children, and multilingual community members express themselves.
Why is this important?
This initiative is a step toward a more inclusive community where everyone has a voice!
Next time you’re at Cass Square, check it out and give it a try! Let’s keep making our public spaces accessible and welcoming for all.
We would like to thank a few Organisations that helped make this happen…
Text and images: West Coast Disability Resource Service
My name is Katrina Renshaw, and I have just started with the West Coast Civil Defence Emergency Management Group as the Emergency Management Officer for Westland District.
I spent the last three and a half years working for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Wellington, where I supported the emergency management sector at the strategic level, and supported Response and Recovery efforts across New Zealand. When the opportunity arose to join the West Coast Emergency Management Team, I could not pass it up. I loving living in Hokitika and travelling up and down the Coast – it’s such an incredibly beautiful part of the country.
The West Coast faces a wide range of potential emergencies, including earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, cyclones, landslides, pandemics, and even wildfires – especially during dry summers like the one we’re experiencing. These natural hazards highlight the importance of being prepared. Across future editions of Westland Matters, we’ll share practical tips and resources to help you get ready.
From coordinating training sessions to providing resources or information, I’m here to help in any way I can. Over the coming months, I’ll be visiting each of the Civil Defence Community Groups across Westland to learn about the unique challenges you face. Together, we can create a more prepared and resilient Westland, so when the unexpected happens, we know how to respond.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, ideas, or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out – I’d love to hear from you!
Warm regards,
Katrina Renshaw
Emergency Management Officer
West Coast Civil Defence Emergency Management Group
Text and photos: Katrina Renshaw
A new pocket-size official guidebook was launched over the summer by the West Coast Wilderness Trail Trust. The Guide covers all the information riders need to know about riding the trail. It includes important information on health and safety and reporting hazards and incidents, providing rider feedback and how to make donations. There is commentary on all the trail sections and the attractions, features and history of locations along the way, and native flora and fauna.
“Much work by a number of people has gone into the book and the comprehensive information in it and we have appreciated all the support” West Coast Wilderness Trail Manager Jackie Gurden reported. “It is packed with information and photos of the various sections and highlights along the way. With keeping it small, we hope that riders will be more likely to purchase it, carry it with them and pull it out as they work their way through the different highlights along the trail.”
Retailing at $20, the guide is available on the trail website, at the Greymouth and Hokitika i-sites and from various businesses associated with the trail. All proceeds go back into the Trust to assist with trail enhancements.
Text and Photo: West Coast Wilderness Trail Trust
West Coast Wilderness Trail Chair John Wood and Trail Manager Jackie Gurden with the new pocket West Coast Wilderness Trail Official Guide Book.
Netsafe is hosting free webinars designed to help parents and caregivers navigate the digital world with their tamariki and rangatahi.
Upcoming sessions:
For Ages 11–18: Get tips on popular chat apps, safer online communication, and how to handle tricky situations when they arise.
These interactive webinars are welcoming and judgment-free, with plenty of time for Q&A.
Register now by clicking the link.
Text and image: Netsafe