Coast Characters: Basil Climo

Basil Climo talks about life at Mokihinui and the camping ground.

Basil Climo talks about life at Mokihinui and the camping ground where the white bait season sustains the community owned grounds year after year.Mokihinui is the first of our look at what makes a small coastal settlement at the mouth of a river work on the Coast. How does the community survive and proposer ?How does business get its revenue ?A couple of common themes, the income during the whitebait season and that’s 2 weeks before as the stands are set up, the season itself and 2 weeks after as they are taken down makes up about 33% of the revenue streams. From Dec to the end of April with domestic tourism makes up another 33% and the rest comes when it comes and every one I have interviewed makes the statement that the last 33% is part of the cost of the unique life style we as Coasters treasure so much.Mokihinui takes us back to staff picnics and egg and spoon races where family was everything and our mates were solid and long term.Mokihinui is nestled under the western shoulder of Kahurangi National Park Mokihinui is a small coastal settlement on New Zealand’s West Coast in the South Island, about 40km north of Westport. It is situated between the sea and the foothills of the Glasgow Range and State Highway 67 passes through Mokihinui just before reaching its northern end on the other side of the Mokihinui river.The Mokihinui River is the West Coast’s third largest river which provides wonderful wilderness fishing for a large head of fish that can reach trophy size. This is one of the countries top wilderness rivers and has good fishing throughout its length though most popular are the two upper branches. Northern Buller is renowned for beautiful rugged coastline, shallow landfall, and spectacular bush clad mountains.The unique location provides access to Whitebaiting, Trout, Kahawai, and Herring fishing in the bordering river; and surfcasting for Rig and Snapper off the beach.The perfect place for Coasters to unwind. Light a beach bonfire, toast some marshmallows, and listen to the waves lapping at your doorstep and you can drop in to Pub ‘N’ Grub to enjoy the friendly country atmosphere, or takeaway and enjoy the outdoors at the nearby beach or picnic spot.

Posted by The Coasters Club on Tuesday, June 23, 2020