Population

Population: 32,600 June 2009 estimate
With a population of only 32,600 people, the West Coast retains the feeling of a pioneer frontier like the old Wild West. It's a wild place, known for rivers and rainforests; glaciers and geological treasures and rugged and rough coastline. Legends and stories from the past cling to every feature of the landscape. The region is particularly sparsely populated in the south, with the 2006 census recording 31,326 inhabitants, up from 30,303 in 2001, although not as high as the 1996 figure. Major towns on the West Coast are Greymouth, Westport, and Hokitika. At one time, during the gold rush days, Hokitika had a population of more than 25,000 and boasted more than 100 pubs. A recreation of an early New Zealand settlement can be found at Shantytown, near Greymouth. The locals still retain the virtue of looking after one and another and still have good old-fashioned values. 

Land area: 23,000 km².
Main Centres: Greymouth, Hokitika, Westport, Reefton, Karamea, Kumara, Fox Glacier, Haast, Okuru, Jackson Bay

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