Living on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island

For both new and prospective employees of Pike River Coal we hope this information will help introduce you to the region where we live and work.

Regional Overview

The West Coast of New Zealand's South Island is one of New Zealand's most beautiful, sparsely populated regions. Over 80% of the land is national park or conservation reserve containing such diverse features as palm beaches, glacial landscapes and wild river gorges. It is highly likely that some of the glorious images of New Zealand you see in a book, calendar, magazine or poster are from the South Island's West Coast. It is a rugged and natural region that plunges westward from the Southern Alps through luxurious rainforest to the coastline.

The ‘Coast' offers a wide range of natural attraction and activities to suit all ages and abilities. There are beach, forest and mountain walks, caving, rafting, canoeing & kayaking, surfing, jetboating, jet skiing, glacier walks, scenic flights, mountain biking, horse treks, hunting, fishing and gold panning. The Coast is also becoming increasingly famous for its world class artists & craftspeople. The landscapes attract a growing number of artists who value a lifestyle hard to find in more populated places. Local arts are showcased in the region's many galleries, museums and craft shops.

Just over 30,000 West Coasters live along a 600km strip of land, bounded by the Tasman Sea and the towering Southern Alps - which are in places barely 20km apart. Many West Coasters are employed in primary industries such as mining, timber production and farming.

West Coast Visitor Information

National Park Information

 

West Coast Local Government

New Zealand Government

The Grey District and Greymouth

The Pike River Coal mine is located in the Grey District of the South Island's West Coast. This area stretches from the south banks of the Punakaiki River in the north to the Taramakau River in the south and out to Moana and the Little Grey River at Ikamatua in the Grey Valley. A small district with a vast diversity, rich in history and an abundance of character.

 

The main feature of the region is the Grey River, which was named by Thomas Brunner on a visit to Mawhera in January 1848 to honour the then Governor of New Zealand, Sir George Grey. Greymouth was formed in 1868 and took its name from its situation at the mouth of the Grey River. Greymouth currently has a population of about 12,000 people and is the commercial, professional, retail and manufacturing centre of the West Coast. The town provides a range of professional services including accountants, lawyers, financial advice, architects, landscape architects, engineering practices, marketing, emergency services, barristers and solicitors, environmental scientists and a diverse range of management consultancies. With the region's growth in the primary sectors, these professional services will continue to expand to meet the growing demand for expertise.

There is a well established school system in all areas of the Coast and in Greymouth there are two high schools. In addition, the Tai Poutini polytechnic offers a range of full and part time tertiary study. The Coast has a wide range of health services, including the 150 bed District Hospital, located in Greymouth. Some links to the website of some major local employers are below:

For international candidates, some general information about moving to New Zealand

Education and Training on the West Coast

Housing in the Greymouth Area