Kumara, New Zealand

Kumara
Sign beside SH 73 on the outskirts of Kumara
Sign beside SH 73 on the outskirts of Kumara
Map
Coordinates: 42°37′52″S 171°11′13″E / 42.63111°S 171.18694°E / -42.63111; 171.18694
CountryNew Zealand
RegionWest Coast
DistrictWestland District
WardNorthern
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial authorityWestland District Council
 • Regional councilWest Coast Regional Council
 • Mayor of WestlandHelen Lash
 • West Coast-Tasman MPMaureen Pugh
 • Te Tai Tonga MPTākuta Ferris
Area
 • Total2.69 km2 (1.04 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2024)[2]
 • Total310
 • Density120/km2 (300/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)
Postcode
7832
Area code03
Local iwiNgāi Tahu

Kumara is a town on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is located 30 kilometres (19 mi) south of Greymouth, close to the western end of State Highway 73, which leads across Arthur's Pass to Christchurch. The Taramakau River flows past to the north.[3][4]

The population was 285 in the 2018 census, a decrease of 24 (7.76%) from 2013.

The name may come from the Māori language Kohe mara, which is the blossom of the tātarāmoa, or bush lawyer.[5]

The Coast to Coast annual multisport race starts at Kumara Beach.[6]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Area was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  3. ^ Peter Dowling, ed. (2004). Reed New Zealand Atlas. Reed Books. map 69. ISBN 0-7900-0952-8.
  4. ^ Roger Smith, GeographX (2005). The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand. Robbie Burton. map 156. ISBN 1-877333-20-4.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference ENZ1966 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "Race profile: Speight's Coast to Coast". Coast to Coast. 2014. Archived from the original on 13 January 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2015.