Westport, New Zealand

Westport
Kawatiri (Māori)
Map
Coordinates: 41°45′29″S 171°36′8″E / 41.75806°S 171.60222°E / -41.75806; 171.60222
CountryNew Zealand
RegionWest Coast
DistrictBuller District
WardWestport
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityBuller District Council
 • Regional councilWest Coast Regional Council
 • Mayor of BullerJamie Cleine
 • West Coast-Tasman MPMaureen Pugh
 • Te Tai Tonga MPTākuta Ferris
Area
 • Total11.53 km2 (4.45 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2024)[2]
 • Total4,680
 • Density410/km2 (1,100/sq mi)

Westport (Māori: Kawatiri) is a town in the West Coast region of the South Island of New Zealand. Established in 1861, it is the oldest European settlement on the West Coast.[3] Originally named Buller,[4] it is on the right bank and at the mouth of the Buller River, close by the prominent headland of Cape Foulwind. It is connected via State Highway 6 with Greymouth, 100 kilometres (62 mi) to the south, and with Nelson 222 kilometres (138 mi) in the northeast, via the Buller Gorge. The population of the Westport urban area was 4,680 as of June 2024. The Buller District had a population of 10,500.

  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. ^ "Municipal Chambers (Former)". Heritage New Zealand.
  4. ^ Nathan, Simon. "West Coast places – Westport". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 29 August 2020.