Coast Characters


Bill Henderson – a quiet gentleman

Bill is a young 86-year-old who has had the most amazing life so far. He still lives at Arahura on the West Coast in the family home.

A miner, greenstone hunter, deer hunter and a whitebaiting legend, Bill joined the Navy in his younger days and served in both Korea and Malaysia. Later, he left the Navy and went back mining, got bored and joined the Army.

He married Miriam, the love of his life and ran the Greyhound Hotel. His pounamu and gold chasing days are largely over now and Bill is content with his life in Arahura surrounded by family. But you can still find him on a Friday at the RSA in Hokitika.

Bill Henderson has friendships that go back decades and lots of them; they are the mark of this quiet gentleman:



Bill Henderson – a quiet gentleman