Destination Westland

Tourism through the coast has become increasingly important to the local economy and a part of the South Island adventure where natural beauty flutters its eyelashes around every corner.

The gateway to the West Coast, Hokitika Airport, provides access from the outside world with two Air New Zealand flights arriving each day from Christchurch—adding to the local and wider regional economy.In the event of a major

Civil Defence disaster such as an earthquake or tsunami, due to its height above sea level, Hokitika Airport is likely to be the only remaining airport capable of bringing in emergency services, supplies, equipment and people.

Located in the heart of Hokitika’s business district, Destination Westland is a diverse organisation managing various assets for the Westland District Council and running events such as the renowned Wildfoods

Festival. Additionally, the company manages the maintenance and upkeep of the Westland section of the West Coast Wilderness Trail, which showcases some of the Coast’s most outstanding scenery. Stretching from Greymouth’s historic port to the neat old gold town of Ross, the cycle trail takes riders on a journey through incredible natural landscapes and back in time, with tales of Maori pounamu and the glittering gold rush era.