Runanga, New Zealand

Runanga
Carroll Street
Carroll Street
Map
Coordinates: 42°24′2″S 171°15′5″E / 42.40056°S 171.25139°E / -42.40056; 171.25139
CountryNew Zealand
RegionWest Coast
DistrictGrey District
WardNorthern
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial authorityGrey District Council
 • Regional councilWest Coast Regional Council
 • Mayor of GreyTania Gibson
 • West Coast-Tasman MPMaureen Pugh
 • Te Tai Tonga MPTākuta Ferris
Area
 • Total
4.51 km2 (1.74 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2024)[2]
 • Total
1,270
 • Density280/km2 (730/sq mi)
Local iwiNgāi Tahu

Runanga is a small town on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is located eight kilometres to the northeast of Greymouth, to the north of the Grey River. Barrytown is 21 kilometres (13 mi) further north. State Highway 6 and the Rapahoe Branch railway run through the town.[3][4] Runanga was formerly a railway junction, with the steep Rewanui Branch diverging from the Rapahoe line until closure in 1985.

The town's origins can be traced back to European colonisation in the late 19th century, when large numbers of settlers came to work the local coal fields. The town's name is Māori for "meeting place".[5] Coal mining is still the main employer of the town.

  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 148. ISBN 1-877333-20-4.
  5. ^ "Runanga". Encyclopedia of New Zealand (1966).