Westport history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Westport begins long before the arrival of Europeans. The indigenous Māori people called this area Kawatiri, which translates as "deep and swift river". For the Māori, this region was a vital stopover for transporting valuable greenstone (pounamu) and a significant fishing ground.

European settlement emerged in 1861, becoming a direct consequence of the start of the gold rush on the West Coast. The town received its modern name in honour of the Irish town of Westport (County Mayo), the birthplace of one of the province's first administrators.

Key Factors of Establishment

The transformation of a temporary prospectors' camp into a fully-fledged town was driven by several factors:

• Geography and Port: Its location at the mouth of the Buller River made Westport the natural maritime gateway to the region. With the Southern Alps isolating the coast from the rest of the island, the port became a vital artery.
• Natural Resources: The initial impulse for development was provided by gold found in river deposits. However, long-term stability was ensured by vast deposits of high-quality coal on the nearby plateaus.
• Engineering Solutions: Exporting resources required complex infrastructure, which stimulated the construction of railways and port facilities in difficult marshy terrain.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

By the end of the 19th century, Westport's economy had shifted from precious metal mining to the coal industry. This shaped the town's distinct character: it was home to miners, dock workers, and engineers. Life in a remote region with a harsh, wet climate demanded incredible endurance and mutual support from the settlers.

The cultural environment of early Westport was distinguished by pragmatism and solidarity. The town quickly acquired the necessary attributes of civilisation: hotels, banks, and trading warehouses, serving not only locals but also the numerous ships calling at the harbour for coal.

Major Development Milestones

• Pre-1860 — The territory, known to the Māori as Kawatiri, served as an important point for greenstone sourcing and seasonal hunting.
• 1861 — Arrival of the first European gold prospectors and the founding of a settlement at the mouth of the Buller River, marking the beginning of the town.
• 1873 — Westport was officially granted Borough status and formed its first town council.
• 1879 — Launch of the famous Denniston Incline system, allowing for the efficient transport of coal from the high plateau.
• 1884 — Opening of the railway line connecting Westport's port with the region's main coal fields.
• 1888 — Completion of the eastern and western breakwaters, making the harbour safer for large vessels to enter.
• 1929 — A severe earthquake in Murchison caused damage to the town's architecture, but the port continued its operations.
• 1958 — Opening of a large cement plant, which became one of the town's mainstay enterprises for half a century.
• 1968 — The Inangahua earthquake caused damage to utilities, leading to a subsequent modernisation of the urban infrastructure.
• 2013 — Opening of the renovated Coaltown Museum, preserving the history of the region's industrial heritage.
• 2016 — Closure of the Holcim cement plant, marking the reorientation of the town's economy towards tourism and the service sector.
• 2020 — Start of active construction of the Kawatiri Coastal Trail, becoming a new attraction for travellers.

Stages of the Town's Formation and Transformation

• Gold Rush (1860s).
  Significance: Became the main catalyst for the founding of Westport. The massive influx of prospectors turned a temporary camp at the river mouth into a bustling trading centre, laying the foundations for the initial urban layout.
• Transition to Coal Industry (Late 19th Century).
  Significance: Ensured long-term economic stability after gold reserves were depleted. The development of deposits on the Denniston and Stockton plateaus shaped the town's rugged industrial appearance and the specific working lifestyle of the population.
• Construction of Port Breakwaters.
  Significance: Solved the critical problem of navigation in the turbulent mouth of the Buller River. Creating a protected harbour allowed for the uninterrupted export of resources, making the town the key transport hub of the West Coast.
• Development of the Railway Network.
  Significance: Integrating the port with remote coal mines across difficult terrain stimulated engineering innovations and simplified logistics, definitively securing Westport's status as the industrial capital of the region.
• Launch of Cement Production (1958).
  Significance: Diversified the local economy in the mid-20th century. The plant became a major employer, supporting jobs and the development of social infrastructure for over 50 years.
• Architectural Renewal After Earthquakes (1929 and 1968).
  Significance: Natural disasters forced a rebuilding of the town centre. Old brick buildings were replaced by lighter and more seismically resilient structures, changing the visual style of the streets (for example, the Art Deco style).
• Modern Tourism Transformation (21st Century).
  Significance: Following the closure of the cement plant and the reduction in coal mining, the town successfully reoriented towards the service sector, utilising its rich industrial heritage and nature as primary economic assets.

Urban Development and Layout

The architectural appearance of Westport was shaped by two powerful forces: the requirements of industrial logistics and harsh natural conditions. The town features a grid layout classic to colonial New Zealand, with wide straight streets. The main artery, Palmerston Street, was designed to be wide enough for cargo teams heading to the port or coal mines to turn around.

A feature of the development is low density and a dominance of low-rise buildings. This is dictated by the region's high seismic activity: following destructive earthquakes in the 20th century, the town was rebuilt with a focus on safety and structural stability.

Architectural Styles and Historical Eras

In Westport, you will not find pompous Baroque or medieval Gothic styles. The town's architecture is a chronicle of pragmatism, interspersed with periods of forced renewal.

• Colonial Style and Victorian Era (Late 19th — Early 20th Century).
  Early structures were built predominantly from local timber (rimu, matai). These were simple, functional buildings with verandas and gable roofs. Wood was accessible and, as discovered later, safer during earthquakes than brick. Separate residential cottages and historic venues of that era have survived to this day.
• Art Deco and Stripped Classical (1930s — 1940s).
  After the powerful 1929 earthquake destroyed many brick buildings of the Victorian era, the town centre was partially rebuilt. Geometric shapes, rounded corners, and stepped facades of the Art Deco style and Spanish Mission style came into fashion. These buildings, often constructed from reinforced concrete, gave Westport a distinctive mid-20th-century look, reminiscent (in miniature) of the city of Napier.
• Utilitarian Modernism (Second Half of the 20th Century).
  The development of cement production and port infrastructure introduced elements of industrial style to the town. Public and administrative buildings of this period are characterised by simplicity of form, the use of concrete and glass, and an emphasis on function rather than decor.

Landmark Buildings and Architectural Highlights

Although Westport is a small town, there are several objects here that form its visual identity:

• NBS Theatre (formerly St James Theatre). A striking example of Art Deco style on Palmerston Street. The building stands out with its geometric facade and is the town's cultural hub, retaining the spirit of the 1930s following restoration.
• Town Clock Tower. A modern landmark erected to replace the historic post office tower, which was demolished due to the risk of collapse after earthquakes. It symbolises the town's resilience and serves as a main orientation point in the centre.
• Council Buildings. A complex of administrative structures reflecting the transition from classical forms to more modern and seismically resilient solutions.
• Railway and Port Infrastructure. Old port facilities and railway tracks along the Buller River create a unique industrial landscape, reminding visitors of the region's "coal" past.

Political Figures and Leaders

• Harry Holland — Politician and Labour Party Leader.
  Although not born in Westport, Holland was the Member of Parliament for the Buller electorate from 1918 to 1933. He became a symbol of the labour movement in this mining region. The town's memorial library is named in his honour, and a monument stands in the centre, commemorating his contribution to the protection of workers' rights.
• Jerry Skinner — Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand.
  A distinguished statesman who represented the interests of Westport and the surrounding areas in parliament for nearly 20 years (1943–1962). As Minister of Rehabilitation after World War II, he played a key role in the development of the region's infrastructure and agriculture.
• Damien O'Connor — Minister of Agriculture and Trade.
  A Westport native who began his career in the local tourism and engineering industries. Having become an influential politician at the national level, he continues to actively lobby for the interests of the West Coast, fostering the economic development of his home region.
• Paddy Webb — Minister of Mines.
  In the 1930s and 1940s, he was the MP for the local electorate. His work was crucial for Westport as a coal centre: Webb initiated many reforms that improved working conditions for miners and modernised resource extraction.

Sportspeople and Cultural Figures

• Peter Hooper — Writer, Poet, and Educator.
  Author of renowned New Zealand novels such as "Time and the Forest". Hooper taught at the local Buller High School for many years. His work is permeated with a love for the rugged nature of the West Coast, and he is considered one of the region's primary literary voices.
• Ben Blair — Professional Rugby Player.
  Born in Westport, he achieved the heights of national sport, becoming a player for the legendary All Blacks team. His success serves as inspiration for young athletes from small provincial towns.
• Anna Harrison — Netball and Volleyball National Team Player.
  A native of the town who had a brilliant career in the Silver Ferns national team. She is known for her versatility and high achievements in both netball and beach volleyball on the international stage.