Issue #5

14 July 2020

Inspiring stories, real news and the hard questions

Well Coasters, it’s our fifth Coasters Weekly and I must say, our first four issues have been very well received.

This weekly news and information hub is something the Coasters Club has been envisioning for some time and it is a joy to have it up and running now.

The other attractive feature of Coasters Weekly is of course the Coasters Pass. Every Tuesday a limited number of Coasters’ Passes are made available to our readers to purchase. The Pass is one way we can encourage you to come home to the Coast – even for a short sojourn.

This week our Coaster’s Pass offers a two-night stay at the Nelson Creek Hotel for two with some meals included. You can check out the deal in this edition of Coasters Weekly and you can purchase your Coaster’s Pass here. Or check out the Coaster’s Club website: www.thecoastersclub.co.nz

The Nelson Creek Hotel is located close to Waiuta, Reefton and Greymouth. But more important than its location, is the fact that it offers a genuine Coast hotel experience with two brilliant hosts. I know you will love it.

Our weather guru, Mark Crompton, has issued an alert for a seven- day fine weather spell and it started yesterday. It the perfect time to head for the Coast.

If you are already part of the Coaster’s Club you will automatically be subscribed to Coaster’s Weekly. You will receive an email each week with your link to each weekly edition.

New subscribers can sign up to Coaster’s Weekly here.

Thanks again for your on-going support.

Bruce Smith

Bruce talks about the Coaster’s Weekly and updates some good news for The West Coast here:

Inspiring stories, real news and the hard questions

Mining: The life blood of the West Coast’s economy

Meet Peter Haddock, a Coast miner

When we talk about mining being the life blood of the Coast’s economy, we are not joking.

Peter Haddock works his own gold claim way up the top of Kapitea Creek. Peter started mining in 1983 and is considered an expert on alluvial gold operations.

We took the opportunity to gauge his thoughts on the place of mining on the Coast and catch him at work on his claim.

Mining: the life blood of the West Coast’s economy

Resuscitation & Resurrection

Coasters, the mining sector can grow back to 1987 levels with just a few small changes.

In 1987 there were 137 claims the size of Peter Haddock’s operating on the Coast, all employing four to eight men who were all well paid. Today we have just 30 such operations.

We have government officials scrambling trying to figure out how to resuscitate the West Coast economy. So far, all they seem to have succeeded in doing with their ideas is burden our infrastructure and our small rating base for little economic benefit. But what about the viability of our oldest and most productive, highest paid industry? Mining. An industry that has been the back bone of New Zealand’s economy generally, and the West Coast’s specifically, since 1864.

In 2018 alluvial gold operations brought in $41 million to the West Coast. 2020 could produce three times that amount. Resurrection of our mining industry is a must.

Have a look here at one of Peter Haddock’s gold mining operations with a six- foot floating screen at work.

Mining: the life blood of the West Coast’s economy

Mining’s contribution to the West Coast’s economic wealth

Around New Zealand there are around 4,193 people employed directly in the minerals sector (excluding quarries).

These are high-paying jobs earning more than $101,400 on average – almost twice the national average wage of $58,900. Many of these jobs support a family and a household in regions and communities that often don’t have the job opportunities that are found in our cities.

Regional development: In areas such as the West Coast, Coromandel and Taranaki, mining plays a substantial role in underpinning regional economies. For example, on the West Coast, a 2010 study by BERL calculated 40% of regional GDP is earned directly and indirectly from mining, mainly gold and coal. Because of the high incomes associated with the mining industry, regions that can exploit their natural resources have relatively high household incomes for a very small footprint – no other land use earns nearly as much per hectare. The high household incomes on the West Coast come from a mining footprint of 14km2, compared to the region’s total area of 23,000km2.

But even though it is such a small footprint, restoring the land after mining is of paramount importance. We take a look at how restoration is tackled on one West Coast mining operation:

Mining’s economic contribution is concentrated in a handful of places in New Zealand. Nationally, its contribution is important, but it is the vital lifeblood, in terms of employment, for some Districts – namely Buller, Hauraki, Waitomo and Waitaki . For example, in the Buller District on the West Coast (the region most dependent on mining in New Zealand) mining and exploration directly employs 339 people – this is 8.12% of its total workforce.

Mining: the life blood of the West Coast’s economy

A youth perspective

We talk to Breagan, a young miner working at Kapitea Creek.

His story is a fine example of the opportunities available for young people in the mining industry.

Mining: the life blood of the West Coast’s economy

Development of the Blackwater gold deposit

Mark Le Messurier from Tasman mining is signing an agreement with Oceana Gold for the future development of the higher grade Blackwater gold deposit near Reefton.

This deposit was continuously mined successfully from 1908 to 1951 and produced approximately 700,000 ounces of gold at a rate of 16 grams of gold per ton of excavation,

Underground gold mining is completely different to underground coal mining. Gold is mined from hard rock and there are no gases present, so eliminating the risk of explosions.

The preliminary economic assessment by Oceana Gold in 2014 on the Blackwater, concluded the project was technically and economically viable and would produce 570,000 ounces during the 10 year mine life recovering 50 to 60000 ounces each year.

More than 18 million dollars has been spent on exploration at Blackwater to date.

The next part of the project involves the decline development and the underground drilling phase. This would see around 30 direct jobs created.

Determining the economic viability of the mine will take approximately four years. A positive outcome would be a significant boost to the economy of the Buller and Grey Districts and to the West Coast as a whole. It would create around 100 direct jobs over 10 years.

Let’s have a look at a five-foot, land-based screen in operation on the West Coast. Note how this mining operation on harvested forest land restores the land ready for the next planting of trees.

Development of the Blackwater gold deposit

Nelson Creek – a genuine West Coast experience

In the last issue of The Coaster’s Weekly we profiled Nelson Creek; this week we give you the opportunity to experience this wonderful location for yourself.

The Nelson Creek is central to Waiuta, Reefton and Greymouth. And the Nelson Creek Hotel offer you a genuine West Coast hotel experience.

The Coasters Pass consists of:

Two nights accommodation for two in the Nelson Creek Hotel.
Breakfast and the Evening meal for two on both nights of your stay.

The cost of this weeks Coasters Pass – Nelson Creek is $256.

Purchase your Pass here

The Coasters Pass is only available over a 24 hour period between 5.00pm each Tuesday through to 5.00pm on Wednesday.
There are a limited number of passes on offer each week so it is first come, first served.
The Coasters Pass can be used at any time within 90 days of purchase. It’s an individual transferable pass.
Once the booking dates for accommodation, attractions and restaurants are confirmed they can’t be changed

Making the most of Nelson Creek

Check out The Nelson Creek Hotel here:

Nelson Creek Hotel

I get to meet Jackie and Neville the owners of the Nelson Creek Hotel and they have agreed to be in one of our Coasters pass offers.A major life style change would scare most people but these guys are loving it and the pub is the centre point for the community.Take a look at the numbers on the pool ladder it would make many town hotel envious.

Posted by The Coasters Club on Sunday, June 28, 2020

St Patricks Church is a must see during your stay:

NELSON CREEK: St PATRICKS CHURCH:

WHAT A FIND AT NELSON CREEK St PATRICKS CHURCH:Nelson Creek was earlier known as Hatters Terrace. The church is believed to have been built in 1872 or 1875, but was possibly built as early as 1865 by Paddy Coll. The 1892 Parish return says: St Patricks Hatters Terrace, built in 1875.In 2006 it was no longer in use as a Catholic church but remained on site as a community church.

Posted by The Coasters Club on Sunday, June 28, 2020

The Domain – a camping area where memories are made:

Nelson Creek Domain a camping area like we all remember

The Nelson Creek Domain a camping area like we all remember and worth considering when you come home Coasters. Its brilliant.

Posted by The Coasters Club on Sunday, June 28, 2020

No rural area in New Zealand is complete without its community hall:

Nelson Creek community center.

While exploring at Nelson Creek i see the door to the community hall open.In i go for a look and see who was there !The Boss and she gave me the offical look around which was great.Good luck with the project.

Posted by The Coasters Club on Sunday, June 28, 2020

FEATURE: Williams Hotel

Williams Hotels: West Coast hospitality and then some!

The business is 100% New Zealand owned and operated and looks to integrate kiwi style with international standards.

Tony Williams is the current owner and managing director and has over 30 years of experience in hospitality. Tony is supported by his sons who hold both domestic and international, commercial and finance experience. Tony is also supported by a staff of 150 who work tirelessly to deliver a warm and personal stay.

Williams Hotels: West Coast hospitality and then some!

Coast Characters

John Cowan – with a tale to tell

Coast Characters

Kerry Eggling – a Coaster through and through

Coast Property

Buying in Buller

From Property Brokers in Westport, Garry Howard discusses the property market in the Buller.

Garry Howard property Brokers Buller

I catch up with Garry Howard from Property Brokers in the mighty Buller.Would you like to own a street ? Garry explains.1 Larsen Street Cape Foulwind Westport.

Posted by The Coasters Club on Sunday, May 24, 2020

Buller has much to offer and these clips below give you a little insight into the variety of businesses making a go of it in the District.

Blueberries, Little Wanganui:

Restored machinery, Karamea:

The Last Resort, Karamea:

FEATURE: Aratuna Freighters Ltd

From the Coast to the South Island and beyond

Andrew Havill and his wife Monique, part-owners of Aratuna Freighters, have plenty to celebrate in this 34th year of the company’s operation.

Andrew and Monique Havill hold the reins these days while Durham and Lorraine, who founded the company in 1985 along with son Andrew, remain committed to the company.

Today, Aratuna’s trucks can be seen all over the South Island and even in the North Island.

This week Andrew Havill talks about the relationship between Aratuna and Ballance Agri-Nutrients – a New Zealand, farmer-owned co-operative that provides its customers with the means to productively manage their land.

Hear Andrew in the video clip here:

Off the beaten track

Waiuta – ghosts from ages past

Waiuta was a booming gold mining town for 45 years, with a population of 600, a post office, police station, hospital, school, sports ground, and several churches.

But when the mine shaft collapsed in 1951, the mine closed down and people moved to find work elsewhere. The town – located 17 kilometres off State Highway 7 between Greymouth and Reefton – became a ghost town virtually overnight.

But Waiuta might not be a ghost town forever because plans are under way to revive this historic West Coast icon.

Coasters, a must to see is the Waiuta town ship. In this first clip some Coasters from Greymouth, who are regulars at Waiuta, tell their story of this amazing little place:

Waiuta an undiscovered secret on the Coast

Waiuta is an undiscovered secret on the Coast and i went to find out how they keep the history and the place so tidy.Bumped into some Coasters from Greymouth who are regulars at Waiuta.Let them tell the story.

Posted by The Coasters Club on Sunday, June 28, 2020

Take a look around this old ghost town before the ghosts are no more:

Waiuta might not be a ghost town forever.

Coasters a must to see is the Waiuta town ship.Plans are under way to revive an old West Coast ghost town.Waiuta was a booming gold mining town for 45 years, with a population of 600, a post office, police station, hospital, school, sports ground, and several churches. But when the mine shaft collapsed in 1951, the mine closed down and people moved to find work elsewhere. The town – located 17 kilometres off State Highway 7 between Greymouth and Reefton – became a ghost town virtually overnight.

Posted by The Coasters Club on Sunday, June 28, 2020

The historic Waiuta Lodge is ideal for school groups and provides a great base for your family to explore the historic relics of a time past:

Waiuta Lodge Coasters the real deal.

Waiuta Lodge Coasters the real deal.This historic lodge is ideal for school groups and provides a great base for your family to explore the historic relics of a time past … Located in Waiuta area in the West Coast region … Email: rvcinfo@xtra.co.nz.

Posted by The Coasters Club on Sunday, June 28, 2020

Chat around the Fire

Judith Collins – pulling no punches

Coasters, it’s a real pleasure to discuss with Judith Collins the release of her new book “Pull no punches”

Judith is always welcome on the Coast and her husband David spends so much time here he is a Coaster. Judith Collins is a mum, comes from a hard working family back ground, has an extensive legal and business background and she is able to tell it as it is without any malice what so ever.

“Judith is so much like so many Coasters we admire.”

What is very clear is that the media profile of Judith Collins is nothing like the real person I know or the person in the book.
You can buy the book at Take Note in Hokitika, phone 03 755 8167, Paper Plus in Greymouth, phone 03 768 5175
and at all good book sellers around the country. The first edition has already sold out around the country but the second is on its way so get your phone order in soon.

Have a listen to our discussion here:

Judith Collins-The Coasters Club

Coasters it’s a real pleasure to discuss with Judith Collins the release of her new book “Pull no punches”Judith is always welcome on the Coast and her husband David spends so much time here he is a Coaster.Judith Collins is a mum, comes from a hard working family back ground,has an extensive legal and business background and she is able to tell it as it is without any malice what so ever. Judith is so much like so many Coasters we admire.What is very clear is that the media profile of Judith Collins is nothing like the real person I know or the person in the book.You can buy the book at Take Note in Hokitika and they had it in stock phone 03-7558167Paper Plus in Greymouth had the book in stock phone 03-7685175And all good book sellers around the country have the book and its firdt edition sold out around the country yesterday. Judith CollinsMaureen Pugh MP

Posted by The Coasters Club on Thursday, July 2, 2020

What’s happening on the Coast

Greymouth’s Mighty Mud Challenge
Sunday July 26, 2020
Click here for all information and registrations.

Greymouth Motorcycle Street Race
Sunday October 25, 2020
Click here for all information and registrations.

Agfest 2020
Friday 13 November, 2020
Click here for all information and registrations.

Ride the Wilderness
Saturday 14 November 2020
Click here for all information and registrations.

Buller Marathon, Half Marathon and Walk
Saturday 13 February 2021
Click here for all information and registrations.

Hokitika Wild Foods Festival
March the 13th 2021
Click here for all information and tickets

For inclusion on these pages please submit your information here: https://coastersweekly.buzzit.co.nz/