West Coast
The West Coast of New Zealand's South Island is regarded as a cultural 'heartland', with human development here dating back at least 800 years when Maori tribes are thought to have arrived in search of Pounamu (greenstone/jade).
For those interested in a New Zealand visa for the purposes of seeing the classic, iconic image of the country, the West Coast would be an ideal option. New Zealand immigration to the West Coast promises a true reflection of the way New Zealand used to be, a place where community, lifestyle and hospitality are paramount.
During the 1860s gold rush fever struck the region, bringing in the first Europeans and many new settlements. Some of these settlements are now historic sites, while others have evolved into present day towns.
Known simply as the 'West Coast', this area is one of the country's most isolated regions. It is this seclusion that has bred an independent yet welcoming local community of 'Coasters' as they are affectionately known.
Greymouth is the commercial, industrial and communal heart of the West Coast and is the base for many of the region's industries - most notably mining (coal and gold), forestry and timber processing, farm processing, and food and beverage products.
The region is also attracting an increasing number of national and international artists and craftspeople who value the natural environment, lifestyle and low cost of living that is increasingly hard to find in more populated regions.
With a relaxed lifestyle, friendly locals, low cost of living, range of outdoor opportunities and one of the most beautiful environments in New Zealand it is easy to see why the West Coast is an attractive place to live, work and do business for people applying for New Zealand visas.
Education
There are 46 schools located on New Zealand's West Coast, 40 of which are state/government schools. There are also five integrated Catholic schools and one private school.
Just over thirty of the schools are full primary schools, while 10 are composite schools which cater to students from new entrants up to year 13.
There are also five secondary schools and 21 preschools, kindergartens and play centres within the greater area.
West Coast schools are significantly smaller than most New Zealand schools however the towns of Greymouth, Westport and Hokitika are home to some of the regions' larger primary and secondary schools.
Along with offering core curriculum subjects, most West Coast schools offer courses linked to both industry and tertiary providers. Students are also encouraged to participate fully in community activities and to take pride in their heritage.
The West Coast's one tertiary education provider, Tai Poutini Polytechnic, has its main campus at Greymouth. Tai Poutini offers a range of mainstream and specialist courses including art and carving, business, computing, audio engineering, music, catering and hospitality.
The polytechnic also specialises in outdoor recreation courses such as adventure guiding and ski patrol.
Employment
Key Industries
Historically the West Coast's key industries have been mining, forestry, fishing, agriculture and tourism. More recently however tourism and dairy (in addition to mining) have become increasingly dominant.
Coal and gold mining Industry plans point to a strong increase in employment over the next five years and the dairy industry is undergoing a rapid phase of expansion.
Forestry and sawmilling/timber processing are another substantial employer of labour, as are the service industries such as retail, health and education.
A large number of job vacancies are advertised in The Press - the West Coast's local daily newspaper.
Housing
As at March 2005 the average house price in Greymouth was approximately NZD$140,000.
It should be noted that prices can and do vary considerably depending on the size of the house, its facilities, and the suburb or rural area in which the property is located.
Renting
Like house prices, rental prices on the West Coast are some of the lowest in New Zealand.
According to the New Zealand Ministry of Housing the average rent for a three bedroom house in Greymouth is approximately NZD$170 per week. (Rental prices shown are as at Sep 2005).
The Press is a good start for finding a place to rent. Real Estate Agents and private landlords list properties in the 'To Let' section of the 'Classified' index, with Wednesday and Saturday editions being the best for Real Estate.
Not all the properties will be advertised in the newspaper so it can pay to call in to the offices of the Real Estate Agents and ask for a copy of their listings.
Transport
Private car is the best transport option for life on the West Coast. The roads in this part of New Zealand are generally very quiet and the scenery is second to none.
Aside from intercity buses, the West Coast's isolation means that public transport across the region is somewhat limited. Nevertheless the West Coast is home to one of the most picturesque and popular bus routes in New Zealand, the service that runs between Christchurch and Greymouth via the spectacular Southern Alps.
Intercity buses also link Greymouth to Nelson and the Fox and Franz Joseph Glaciers.
One of the most popular ways to travel to from Greymouth to Christchurch is via the TranzAlpine train to Greymouth, a Kiwi classic which crosses the Canterbury Plains, climbs the Southern Alps to Arthur's Pass before descending to the West Coast.
Population
The West Coast region is lightly populated with a total population of approximately 35,000.
Greymouth is the region's largest town with just over 10,000 people. Other main towns in the region include Westport (population 6,000) and Hokitika (population 3,000).
In terms of ethnicity, compared with the rest of New Zealand there are very few Maori and Pacific Islanders living on the West Coast of the South Island.
Climate
The West Coast has a light-wind climate that is characterised by high rainfall and few extremes of temperature.
Most places along the coast experience an average of approximately 1,850 hours of sunshine per year. Mean annual rainfall levels increase the further south you go, from approximately 2,200mm in Buller to 6,500mm in Fiordland and considerably more in the Southern Alps.
During winter months the West Coast's temperatures are relatively mild compared to other parts of the South Island. Winter weather is generally very settled, with crisp mornings, blue skies and snow on the mountain tops.
The summers are mild in the southern reaches of the West Coast and get warmer towards the north. Afternoon summertime temperatures are often around the 20 degrees celsius mark, but seldom rise above 25 degrees. February is normally the warmest and most settled month of the year.
Geography
The West Coast region reaches from Kahurangi Point in the north to Awarua Point in the south, a distance of 360 miles. To the west is the Tasman Sea and to the east is the Southern Alps.
Much of the land is rugged, although there are coastal plains around where much of the population resides.
The West Coast region boasts five of New Zealand's fourteen national parks - Kahurangi, Paparoa, Arthur's Pass, Westland, Mt Aspiring - along with the South West New Zealand World Heritage Area.
It is home to a number of New Zealand's most spectacular natural features including mountains, glaciers, lowland rainforests, beaches and rivers. Particularly scenic areas include the Haast Pass, Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki and the Heaphy Track.
The West Coast offers a great variety of unique alpine flora, temperate coastal forests, diverse wetlands and much more. Many parts of the region also serve to remind us what New Zealand was like before humans arrived here.
Cost of Living
The cost of living on the West Coast is considerably lower than other parts of New Zealand, largely because the region's house prices are lower than in most other parts of the country.
A study conducted in 2002 by Business and Economic Research Ltd illustrated that a single earner on $40,000 p.a. in an average suburban house on the West Coast is likely to be better off than a person in the same situation in many other parts of New Zealand.
For example the report showed that after tax and mortgage, the person living on the West Coast would still have $24,700 in their pocket, compared with a $3,900 in Auckland or $10,800 in Wellington.
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