West Coast
Bordered by the unpredictable Tasman Sea on the west and the towering Southern Alps on the east, Westland District stretches some 400 kilometres north to south. Within its boundaries are found waves of ice, rugged beaches, bush-clad mountains and crystal lakes hugged by ageless trees. A short trip from Christchurch through an ever-captivating mountain pass changing with the seasons, or through the southern evergreen Gates of Haast, entry into Westland offers a multiplicity of opportunities for visitor and resident. Nature has richly endowed our District with stunning and spectacular scenery.
The land area of Westland District comprises approximately 11,400 km2 (1,140,000 hectares). The District stretches for 330 kilometres from the Taramakau River in the north to Big Bay in the south. The western boundary is mean high water springs (MHWS) on the Tasman Coast and the eastern limit is a line running along the Main Divide of the Southern Alps/Ka Tirititi o te Moana.
The District has common boundaries with Grey, Selwyn, Hurunui, Ashburton, Mackenzie, Waitaki, Queenstown-Lakes and Southland Districts and comes within the jurisdiction of the West Coast Regional Council.
Population
The population of the District stands at 31,326 of which about 25,000 live in Hokitika. Other significant settlements on the West Coast include Westport, Greymouth, Reefton, Fox Glacier, Franz Josef Glacier/Waiau, Whataroa, Ross, Harihari and Kumara. The potential for growth associated with the tourist and mining industries cannot be overlooked. Any resultant increase in population will have a positive influence on community viability and associated services.
Information provided by the Westland District Council website.
Property Sales Statistics
| Year | Median Price as at Dec |
Total Properties Sold |
Value of Total Properties Sold |
| 2010 | $190,000 | 383 | $81,045,907 |
| 2009 | $202,500 | 382 | $80,080,400 |
| 2008 | $225,000 | 376 | $77,599,300 |
| 2007 | $185,000 | 560 | $114,554,311 |
| 2006 | $172,825 | 697 | $123,201,365 |
| 2005 | $151,000 | 691 | $105,706,524 |
| 2004 | $120,000 | 733 | $88,413,672 |
| 2003 | $95,000 | 943 | $85,932,255 |
| 2002 | $70,000 | 503 | $42,700,070 |
| 2001 | $70,000 | 329 | $25,319,565 |
| 2000 | $75,000 | 323 | $24,560,870 |
| 1999 | $85,000 | 381 | $31,418,520 |
| 1998 | $94,750 | 328 | $20,056,860 |
| 1997 | $87,000 | 414 | $35,856,350 |
| 1996 | $75,000 | 478 | $41,949,100 |
| 1995 | $65,000 | 457 | $38,540,469 |
| 1994 | $85,400 | 422 | $33,136,200 |
