Breaking News

Minerals Conference Cancelled

Michael Phelps, Manager of Minerals West Coast, gives his views on the cancellation of the minerals conference in Hamilton.

It’s common sense and an outstanding presentation.

Life on the Coast

A Whitebaiting Story

Is this iconic West Coast pursuit under threat?

Whitebait and the West Coast are nearly synonymous. During the season you can’t drive far on the Coast without coming across road-side stalls, tea rooms, take-away bars and restaurants with a whitebait sandwich or a whitebait patty to sell.

And to partake of the delicacy is almost a rite of passage; a sure sign that you have touched on a true West Coast experience.

Whitebaiting has come under the official spotlight in recent times with talk that the fishery needs to be rested, protected and given a chance to recuperate; the premise being that it is in danger of being irreparably damaged under the current regulations. So the rules and regulations look likely to be changed and these changes will no doubt affect the livelihood of some. The catches on the Coast are legendry and questions as to the sustainability of the catch, are being asked.

Whatever the final outcome of these changes maybe, there will be an impact and we will have to adapt to the new rules.

In the meantime, Coaster’s Weekly brings you some video footage of this iconic West Coast pursuit. It captures the magnitude of this fishing spectacle and lets you see just how important the activity is to the economic and social well-being of the Coast. Our footage is mostly from the 2019 season.

South Westland Mecca

South Westland is the hunting and fishing mecca of the South Island. Other whitebaiters in the far corner of the Coast believe the whitebaiting is as good this year as most other years, despite what politicians say. Check out this fabulous mecca here:

A whitebaiting adventure

Six weeks whitebaiting on the West Coast with mates, sound like the perfect dream. But dreams do come true, as this clip from  2019 reveals:

And five days of wind and rain is not enough to deter keen enthusiasts from getting out with their nets in Haast. The weather is forgotten as soon as the whitebait become more cooperative:

When the call rings up and down the river and along the coast, “They are running, they are running,” you can be sure the pilgrimage to the Coast’s rivers takes on an almost religious fervor. When they run, they run, as this clip shows.

What the whitebaiters themselves are saying

The 2019 AGM of the West Coast Whitebaiters Association took place at the Hokitika RSA.

A full house were treated to a a brilliant presentation by Mike Hickford, a scientist who for the last 15 years has specialised in whitebait habitat.

A couple of bottom line facts are outlined by Mike:

• The West Coast is the ONLY area with rivers closed to protect the species.
• There is NO evidence to confirm a reduction in the species – only the knowledge that there are more white baiters for the same amount of bait.
• White bait DO NOT return to the river they were spawned in.
• There is evidence that the grassed sides of rivers, with trees, provides the best habitat for breeding.

Catch up with AGM here and listen to what Mike Hickford has to say:

Coasters Pass

The Waiho Hot Tubs & Bella Vista Package

The Waiho Hot Tubs in Franz Josef have now opened to the public. Adam, from Bella Vista, is the owner and he has an opening deal to promote the hot tubs.

Hot deal: $180 for a couple for one night. And you can stay an extra night for a just $100 more.

Here’s what you get:

• One night in a mountain view unit at the Bella Vista in Franz Josef
• A session for you both in a private Waiho hot tub set in native bush just a couple of minutes walk from your accommodation.

The video shows it all:

Call Adam on 03-752009, ask for the Coaster’s club deal and enjoy!

Coaster’s Club Top Video Posts

This week’s top posts from the Coaster’s Club

Our most popular posts this week include the Westland High School’s Burlesque Show and our talk with farmer/contractor Leighton Campbell.

Burlesque at its very best

The Westland High School end of year awards were held at Shantytown in 2018. The new art- dance teacher asked students to choose form a variety of dance/musical styles. Burlesque was the genre chosen by the students – a genre which is described as a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works. This was amazing folks, it was good when we first posted it and it continues to receive many views – a top post for the Coasters Club.

Achieving in farming

We first posted this clip in November 2017 but it has continued to receive many views and its message is as relevant now as it was then.

Farming is an important part of our economic diversity on the Coast.

And agricultural contractors like Leighton Campbell work long hours, and are governed by the weather.

Dairy contributed more than $200 million to the West Coast’s GDP in 2016 and when you see young achievers like Leighton in the industry, we can say it is in good hands.

Many thanks Leighton Campbell for taking the time to let Coasters know what’s going on.

Aratuna Freighter’s Update

Aratuna Freighters – a competitive road service throughout the South Island

Aratuna Freighters operate a large configuration of Iveco and Hino trucks and trailers throughout the South Island.

The management and staff take great pride in their company, the whole team working together to see that the freight is delivered on time. They are proud of their consistent commitment and service to their customers, always  offering competitive prices. The company’s Head Office is in Greymouth and the Rural Office is based in Hokitika.

Aratuna Freighters has a comprehensive freight and courier service that covers the whole of the South Island.

Here’s what the service and schedule looks like:

General freight overnight to Christchurch – five days a week (Monday to Friday)

General freight to South Westland – four days a week service

Worldwide & Nationwide freight on-forwarding – being the West Coast Branch of Mainfreight we are able to offer this service

Courier Service – ARAMEX Courier Service 5 Days a week.

Bulk Fuel Distribution Service – our BP fuel distribution offers a reliable service of bulk fuel deliveries to farmers, miners and contractors throughout the West Coast including Westport and Karamea areas.

Home heating delivery service – a small truck home heating delivery service for Greymouth and Hokitika Areas.

Refrigerated and frozen freight service – Greymouth to Christchurch & South Westland with a Nationwide on forwarding service available.

Stock Transportation – our service offers reliable, humane cartage of stock to farms or meat works daily

Farming freight requirements – we offer South Island-wide cartage of hay, bulk fertilizer and timber for all farming requirements.

Container swing lifts and hiab services – a West Coast-wide service for all hiab and swing lift container requirements. We can arrange a nationwide forwarding service for containers also.

Wanted now!

Would you like a change ? Come and join the movement to the Coast.

Class five drivers and mechanics are needed to become part of the team at Aratuna Freighters. Call us 0800 756 666

Aratuna Freighters look forward to having the opportunity to quote for all Coast transportation needs. For a quote on freight, fuel or other services they provide, please call their toll-free number 0800 756 666. If you have a rural enquiry, please call the Hokitika team on 03 756 8012.

Meet Bob Williamson - an Aratuna Freighters driver.

We catch up with Bob Williamson and talk about his amazing driving life.

20 years on the road with Aratuna Freighters. He recently received a special award for his outstanding service to the company.

Coast History

Blacks Point Museum – with Peter Lawn

In this 2011 interview with Jackie Gurden, Peter Lawn takes us on a walk through the Blacks Point Museum near Reefton.

Chat around the Fire

Dicey Davidson talks about his life on Revell Street

Revell Street in Hokitika is a buzzing part of the town and it’s a street full of famous food.

It is home to a great pizza place with Fat Pippies, a Chinese restaurant, an Indian restaurant, a sandwich bar – Stumpers, plus the Ocean view restaurant and a cheese shop. Add to that impressive list The Stone Oven Bakery and you have the whole range of dining options covered.

Stone Oven Bakery is a family owned and operated business. Dicey Davidson established it in 1982 has earned a fine reputation as a baker of delicious pastries, pies, sausage rolls, sandwiches, coffees and desserts to locals. Some ‘locals’ have officially gained loyal clientele status.

Dicey is a Coaster feeding Coasters. We catch up with him for a ‘chat around the fire’:

Bruce Smith

What’s happening on the Coast?

WAI presents Hopetown Brown
Tuesday 13 October, 2020, 7.30pm.
Old Lodge Theatre, $20.
Book tickets at Hokitika’s Regent Theatre or online here

Greymouth Motorcycle Street Race
Sunday October 25, 2020
Follow the link for all information and registrations.

WAI presents Anthonie Tonnon – Rail Land
Wednesday 11 November, 2020, 7.30pm.
Old Lodge Theatre, $20.
Book tickets at Hokitika’s Regent Theatre or online here

AgFest 2020
Friday 13 and Saturday 14 November, 2020
Follow the link for all information and registrations.

Ride the Wilderness
Saturday 14 November 2020
Follow the link for all information and registrations.

Horse racing
Westport Trots
Saturday 26 and Monday 28 December, 2020
Reefton Trots
Wednesday 30 December, 2020.
Kumara Races
Saturday 9 January, 2021.
Follow the link for all information.

Buller Marathon, Half Marathon and Walk
Saturday 13 February 2021.
Follow the link for all information and registrations.

Hokitika Wild Foods Festival
Saturday 13 March, 2021.
Follow the link for all information and tickets.

South Island Ute Muster
Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 July, 2021
For information on the 2021 South Island Ute Muster email admin@thecoastersclub.co.nz

For inclusion on these pages please email details of your event and website link to: admin@thecoastersclub.co.nz