| Local Water Done Well – Hearing and Deliberations | Thursday, 26 June, 9am |
| Council Meeting | Thursday, 26 June, 1pm |
| Council Meeting | Thursday, 24 July, 1pm |
Image: Works at the Hokitika Racecourse, Westland District Council
Shutting the Hokitika Swimming Pool for a few weeks each year allows the Council to do necessary maintenance to keep the pool to a great standard for all our users. Over the last couple of weeks and into next week we are:
We thank the community for their understanding while the pool is closed. Our reopening date is Monday, 23 June and we are so looking forward to seeing everyone.
The enabling infrastructure project continues good progress at the Hokitika Racecourse, with both the stormwater and wastewater projects being completed. Work has started on the drinking water project, with pipes being delivered and joined on site. The Park Street extension work will continue during June and July.
Text and images: Westland District Council
The Ballroom Dancing Duo Who Dazzle the Floor
If you’ve ever passed by the local hall in Harihari and noticed a car frequently parked outside, you might have wondered what was happening inside. Was it a meeting? A quiet gathering? Or perhaps something more extraordinary?
The answer, as it turns out, is something truly special. Behind those doors, Wayne Spencer—one of Harihari’s own—and his dance partner, Diane Stephens, have been tirelessly perfecting their craft. These two passionate ballroom dancers have spent countless hours rehearsing their routines for an important competition in Wellington. And their dedication has certainly paid off.
At their recent event, Wayne and Diane achieved an astounding 18 first-place finishes, along with a handful of second and third placements in their age group. That kind of success isn’t just impressive—it’s a testament to their discipline, skill, and undeniable talent. To top it all off, they have also secured a third-place finish in the prestigious Australian nationals, proving that their abilities extend far beyond New Zealand’s borders.
Watching them practice was an unforgettable experience. Their grace, synchronicity, and sheer determination were nothing short of mesmerizing. There’s something captivating about witnessing a duo glide across the dance floor, effortlessly merging rhythm with movement. Each step is calculated yet fluid, a balance of precision and artistry that makes ballroom dancing a true spectacle.
Wayne and Diane’s achievements are more than just personal victories; they shine a spotlight on the beauty of ballroom dancing itself. Their dedication and passion serve as an inspiration—not just to dancers, but to anyone striving for excellence in their craft.
So next time you see that familiar car parked outside the hall, know that behind those doors, something magical is unfolding. Two dancers, fueled by passion and an unwavering commitment to their art, are spinning their way toward greatness—one step at a time.
Text and images: Judy Cardno, Hari Hari
You’re warmly invited to join us for a special community celebration at the Hokitika Museum Fun Opening Day – marking the reopening of the Museum and the launch of the Legendary Coasters App.
| Date: | Saturday 28 June 2025 |
| Time: | 11am–2pm |
| Location: | Hokitika Museum, 17 Hamilton Street |
| Entry: | Free (bring gold coins for fundraisers) |
This family event will include:
We’d love to see community groups, local businesses and whānau there to help us celebrate this special occasion.
Ngā mihi, The Hokitika Museum Team
The Council and its contractors are always busy with works in each town. These are what you can expect to see happen in your town over the next few months.
Lazar Park in Hokitika was transformed into a vibrant celebration on 31 May with the vibrant sights, sounds, and flavours of the Westland Multicultural Festival, proudly organised by the Lions Club of Hokitika. Supported by the West Coast Multicultural Council and the Welcoming Communities programme from the Westland District Council, the event brought the community together for a heartwarming celebration of cultural diversity.
Colourful performances from Indian classical dancers, the Scottish dancers, and the fascinating Tribal Belly Dancers showcased the richness of cultures now part of our community. The Filipino children captivated everyone with their joyful energy, drawing smiles and applause from the public. Each act offered a brief but meaningful glimpse into the cultural roots and significance behind each performance, creating an atmosphere of curiosity, connection, and respect. The Tribal Belly Dancers joined the Filipino children for their final dance. What a memorable treat it was!
Visitors also enjoyed a culinary tour of the world, with food stalls offering Irish stews, Brazilian treats, German desserts, South African flavours, and much more, including crowd favourites from the Filipino and Chinese communities. The energy was warm and welcoming, with everyone sharing in the joy of discovery and appreciation. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all who performed, cooked, helped, and simply came along to learn and connect.
Looking ahead, we invite everyone to stay involved and continue celebrating and embracing multiculturalism in all its richness—including the voices and traditions of mana whenua, our local iwi. Events like these are about connection, understanding, and building a future together that honours both our shared and diverse identities. How about a cosy Winter Potluck? And be sure to join us in September for Welcoming Week, a special time to hear the stories of those who have made Westland their new home.
Text and images: Carolina Salazar – Welcoming Communities Coordinator
Emergency Grab Bags for Companion Animals
When preparing for an emergency, it’s natural to prioritise the safety of ourselves and our family – but it’s also important to plan for the wellbeing of our companion animals. In an emergency, you may need to evacuate your home at short notice or find yourself isolated without access to essential services. If evacuation is necessary, your pets should go with you – and during times of crisis, they will rely entirely on you for their safety and care.
Like people, animals need food, water, shelter, and comfort to get through the early stages of an emergency. Assembling a grab bag specifically for your pets is a practical and responsible step towards ensuring their needs are met. Whether you care for dogs, cats, birds, or other small animals, having their essentials packed in advance can make a big difference in a high-stress situation.
Start by considering your pet’s daily needs and then imagine how you would meet them without access to shops, veterinary services, or usual supplies. A pet grab bag doesn’t need to be complicated – it just needs to contain the basics to support your animal in an emergency.
Your pet grab bag might include:
Store your pet’s grab bag in a clearly labelled, sturdy bag or container, ideally alongside your own grab bags and household emergency kit. Review these regularly to ensure supplies are current, especially food, medication, and documents.
For owners of larger animals such as horses or livestock, emergency planning will look a little different. Consider safe evacuation routes, transport logistics, and alternative secure holding areas. The Ministry for Primary Industries provides useful guidance at www.mpi.govt.nz.
Emergencies are often unpredictable and stressful – but being prepared can make all the difference.
Katrina Renshaw
Emergency Management Officer for Westland
Over King’s Birthday weekend at the end of May, we hosted another Community Trust day featuring a well-known local doctor and her “witches and warlocks”. Despite unfavourable weather, the patrons turned up for rides on the train. The night run was particularly popular with scary sounds and ghoulish figures around the track!
The Livery team has suggested that a more appropriate name for their display would be “The Coach House” and so we will be adopting that, and eventually, the signs will be updated. Among the collection of horse-drawn vehicles in the Coach House is a tip dray cart that was used for many years by the gardeners at both Seaview and Westland hospitals. The axle on the cart is dated Dec 1906, and the original pair of shafts was replaced with a towbar once the gardeners started using motorised tractors.
Also on display is the Hall Coach that made the last commercial stagecoach journey in August 1923 from Christchurch to Hokitika over the Arthur’s Pass/Otira route. Together with the Foster Coach from Ross and assorted other carts and gigs, the Coach House continues to care for and tell the stories of the early pioneers who arrived to make their fortune during and after the gold rushes of the 1860s/1870s.
A recent donation from a descendant of a founding family is a restored military saddle from World War 1. The saddle is somewhat neglected over the last years but is in good order.
Come and visit us on Wednesdays or Saturdays and hear the stories of Hugh Cassidy, Lillian Fell (stagecoach driver), Bob-a-Stitch Rooney and others, and talk to our gang of volunteers as they work hard to maintain the historic perspective of the Coach House collection. Donations of horse memorabilia, horse collars, bridles, saddles, spurs and other items are welcome, especially if they come with a good story!
We have several other projects in progress, the biggest of these is a Heritage Craft Centre. This will be a new home for Maria and her sewing machines that have become one of the most popular exhibits at the Park and other facilities, such as meeting or workshop areas. We are busy planning and fundraising so, watch this space
Contact Information : Email: wihpark@gmail.com
Website: http://www.westlandheritage.co.nz
Address: 9 Brian Waugh Lane, Hokitika 7810
Text and Images: Westland Industrial Heritage Park
The voices of Westland’s past are calling. Legendary Coasters, a new self-guided heritage app, invites users to explore the lives, legacies, and landscapes of Westland’s most remarkable characters—right from their phones.
Part history, part adventure, the app combines storytelling with location. As users move through Hokitika, they’ll hear directly from legendary figures— gold miners and mountaineers, healers and hoteliers, schemers, trailblazers, and visionaries—brought vividly to life through talking photographs and a scavenger hunt-style trail. Follow the clues, uncover the stories, and literally hear from those who helped shape the district.
Featured characters include Dr. Ebenezer Teichelmann, the pioneering surgeon and conservationist; Sister Mary Gertrude Joyce, sister of James Joyce who buried her brother’s last manuscript somewhere in Westland; Ah Quong, a Chinese market gardener entangled in land disputes with Richard Seddon; and the elusive fictional ‘Emery Staines’, whose tale was immortalised in Eleanor Catton’s The Luminaries.
The app is set to launch with the Legendary Coasters competition, where we invite locals and visitors alike to vote for their favourite character. Every voter enters the draw to win one of six Hokitika adventures, with the total prize pool valued at $6,000!
The app will be officially ‘launched’ at the Museum Fun Opening Day on 28 June, with the reveal of the app’s ‘Talking Wall’. For more information, please get in touch with the Hokitika Museum.
Supporting Seniors to Stay Connected and Curious
Did you know the Westland District Library offers a free Home Delivery Service for Hokitika residents who can’t easily get to the library?
Whether you’re recovering from surgery, managing a long-term health condition, or simply finding it harder to get out and about, our team of friendly library volunteers can bring the joy of reading straight to your door. Once a month, they’ll deliver a personalised selection of books and other materials — and collect anything you’ve finished with.
We offer fiction, non-fiction, large print books, audiobooks, and magazines, tailoring each delivery to your preferences. Whether you love mysteries, memoirs, movies or magazines, we’ll make sure there’s always something new to enjoy.
If you live outside Hokitika but still need a little help, we’re happy to prepare a monthly bundle for someone else to pick up on your behalf.
Our goal is to help seniors stay informed, entertained and connected, even if they can’t visit us in person.
To find out more or to sign up for Home Delivery, just give us a call on 03 755 6208 or complete the form on our website or in the library. We’re here to help.
A Night to Remember!
Join us for a magical evening under the stars with lights, lanterns, fire, food and community spirit.
The Lantern Festival isn’t just for kids – it’s a special night for all ages.
Enjoy a walk with your Lantern, hot drinks, a sausage sizzle, roasted marshmallows, and a fire show to end the night with a spark!
Wander the beautifully decorated bush track, glowing with lanterns of all shapes and sizes.
We’ve got some amazing new Lantern creations in the works to add to last year’s display – we can’t wait for you to see it all come together.
Wrap up warm, bring your friends, your whānau, and your brightest lanterns to share in the magic.
Follow us on Facebook for updates: Lantern Festival Franz Josef
Want to help?
We’ve got plenty of small jobs – and every bit helps!
Flick Hannah a message on 022 322 8434 if you’d like to get involved.
Text and images (2024 Lantern Festival): Hannah Mackie
