The Buller Guide To Living Well - Buller District Council

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7 Relocation Support & Useful contacts 1 Housing, Living Essentials & Climate 2 Business, Jobs and opportunities 3 Education & Community Learning 4 Sports, Recreation, Entertainment 5 Health and Wellbeing 6 Culture, The Arts, Heritage 0 10 great reasons Intro Click on our interactive menu and links throughout to go directly to the section you would like to see. * The Happiness of New Zealand Report – UMR Research 2012 THE BULLER GUIDE TO LIVING WELL Come join us in “New Zealand’s Happiest Place”* Easy lifestyle and quality of life We’re kid-safe and family focused A strong sense of community and caring Good pay, good jobs and investment opportunities World-renowned scenery Get a great house on an average wage Getting to work, school or play takes just minutes An unbeatable range of sport and recreation Great retail, support services and cafes Great transport links to main centres Top 10 reasons why people move here

Transcript of The Buller Guide To Living Well - Buller District Council

Page 1: The Buller Guide To Living Well - Buller District Council

7 Relocation Support & Useful contacts

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Housing,Living Essentials& Climate

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Business, Jobs and opportunities

3

Education & Community Learning

4

Sports, Recreation, Entertainment

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Health and Wellbeing

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Culture, The Arts, Heritage

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10 great reasonsIntro

Click on our interactive menu and links throughout to go directly to the section you would like to see.

* The Happiness of New Zealand Report – UMR Research 2012

The Buller Guide To livinG Well

Come join us in “New Zealand’s

Happiest Place”*

• Easylifestyleandqualityoflife• We’rekid-safeandfamilyfocused• Astrongsenseofcommunityandcaring• Goodpay,goodjobsandinvestmentopportunities• World-renownedscenery• Getagreathouseonanaveragewage• Gettingtowork,schoolorplaytakesjustminutes• Anunbeatablerangeofsportandrecreation• Greatretail,supportservicesandcafes• Greattransportlinkstomaincentres

Top 10 reasons why people move here

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Business, Jobs and opportunities

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Education & Community Learning

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Sports, Recreation, Entertainment

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Health and Wellbeing

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Culture, The Arts, Heritage

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10 great reasonsIntro

Click on our interactive menu and links throughout to go directly to the section you would like to see.

The Buller district covers just less than 8600 square kilometers with 84% in conservation land and National Park. All of this wonderful play area for a population of around 10,000 people!

Choose your town – or go country

Renowned for their pioneering spirit and friendly hospitality, each of our towns is true to its roots:

A Million DollAr lifestylePictures speak much louder than words so click on this amazing video for a taste of Buller. http://www.buller.co.nz

SPACE & freedomReefton – gateway to the Buller from the Lewis Pass route from Christchurch - born from gold in the 1860’s and now a modern goldmining town with a wonderfully preserved heritage main street. Entry way to the magnificent Victoria Conservation Park.

Westport – our biggest little town of around 5,500 with all mod cons. The service centre for the Buller sited at the mouth of the Buller River. The Buller seaside settlements of - Waimangaroa, Granity, Ngakawau and Hector – nestled between the forested high plateau and the Tasman Sea. These areas provide entry to the new Denniston Mine Experience, Charming Creek Walkway and New Zealand’s largest open cast coal mine – Stockton. The areas of Charleston, Carters Beach, Tauranga Bay and Cape Foulwind also surround Westport.

Punakaiki – a tourism centre right in the middle of the Paparoa National Park on the famous Coast Road. Tiny in population and size with huge visitor numbers to the main attraction the spectacular Pancake Rocks and Blowholes and so many other beautiful areas to explore by horseback, walking or kayaking

Karamea – rich in dairy and horticulture with an amazing microclimate. Gateway to the Heaphy and Wangapeka Tracks, Kahurangi National Park, the Oparara Basin, Oparara Arches and the world heritage Honeycomb Caves.

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10 great reasonsIntro

Click on our interactive menu and links throughout to go directly to the section you would like to see.

We have a robust regional economy built on the extractive industries of

gold and coal mining, agriculture, horticulture, tourism, fishing, forestry

and cement manufacturing. We also have a strong sporting heritage,

and a growing arts scene.

Our Economy in Brief

HOUSEHOld INCOME – way higher than the

national average2013 figures from the Ministry of Business,

Innovation and Employment show our average West Coast household income is now $86,000

(national average $80,600).

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Our regular rainfall is something we can count on and critical for economic growth - Champagne for the rainforest.

Moderate Climate with few frosts

Our climate is similar to Nelson and Golden Bay – moderate to warm (normal range of around 9 – 25 Celsius).

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Education & Community Learning

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Sports, Recreation, Entertainment

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10 great reasonsIntro

Click on our interactive menu and links throughout to go directly to the section you would like to see.

People and HistoryEarly Maori arrived here by canoe around 950 A.D. but the population was small and mostly coastal. The routes you travel today by car were all old Maori trade routes.

The Maori name for the Buller is Kawatiri – which means “swift and deep” referring to our mighty Buller River flow-ing swiftly and deeply through the rocky gorge. ‘Buller’ is named after a British politician Charles Buller – a director of the New Zealand Company which was formed to set up the colony of New Zealand.

The rest of New Zealand call us - “Coasters”. Early Coasters came mainly from Ireland, Scotland and England to mine gold, coal, or break in the land. To survive they had to pull together…and that ‘togetherness’ still exists today. Coasters work hard and play hard with a strong sense of family, com-munity and a huge sense of humour.

There are excellent passenger and freight services by road, rail, air and sea linking Buller with all major markets – including daily commuter flights from Westport to Wellington and with huge visitor numbers to the main attraction the spectacular Pancake Rocks and Blowholes.

Westport to Nelson 2.5 hours

Westport to Christchurch 4 hours

Westport to Greymouth 1.5 hours

Westport to Picton 4.5 hours

Westport to Wellington by air 45 minutes

Travel Times To oTher cenTres:

Transport links

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7 Relocation Support & Useful contacts

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Business, Jobs and opportunities

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Education & Community Learning

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Health and Wellbeing

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Culture, The Arts, Heritage

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10 great reasonsIntro

Click on our interactive menu and links throughout to go directly to the section you would like to see.

A recent Fairfax Media home loan affordability survey, done by interest.co.nz, shows the weekly mortgage repayment on a median-priced Auckland home would swallow up 97 per cent of the median net pay packet of people aged 30 to 34.

But not in Buller where the average house price is around the $219,000 mark (QV May 2013). This is one third of the price of Auckland properties and half that of the national average.

In Nelson prices have steadily risen with the average 2013 house price around $391,000. Just think what you could do with the thousands you would save by buying in Buller. And of course Christchurch and the surrounding Selwyn area is also a heated market – with average house prices there from $458,000.

This means that Buller people have a much higher rate of home ownership than in most places – and there’s a great range from quaint early settler cottages by the sea to brand new four and five bedroom homes in new subdivisions.

To see the range of properties available here visit:

Buller Real Estate www.propertybrokers.co.nz

Landmark Real Estate www.bullerhomes.co.nz

Harcourt’s Real Estate www.harcourts.co.nz

Rents range from around $160 (studio) to $400 plus for a new 4- bedroom furnished quality home. Compare these with other places. Follow these links to the great market rental data on the Ministry of Business and Innovation’s site.

www.dbh.govt.nz/sector-information

living EssentialsBy making the move to Buller, you will keep more of what you earn and lower your stress levels – so what are you waiting for?

Housing – Spend less and get more!

“Even if you win the rat race you’re still a rat”

Lily Tomlin

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Education & Community Learning

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Sports, Recreation, Entertainment

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Health and Wellbeing

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Culture, The Arts, Heritage

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10 great reasonsIntro

Click on our interactive menu and links throughout to go directly to the section you would like to see.

Parking at $280 to $400 a month (based on Auckland CBD charges)Even in places like Nelson hourly parking fees are around $1.60 and there are no parking buildings so over a month you can expect at least $30 a week on extra parking expense ($120 a month). It all adds up. In Christchurch as the rebuild expands, parking is increasing – currently $3.10 an hour or a $7 all day fee in Council car parks.

In Buller we have no parking costs not even in the town centres, you get more for your money when buying a home, land or business and our rental prices also give great value for money. Other costs not required in Buller unless you live ‘out country’ are: Daily commuting costs and monstrous fuel bills.Nor do you need to keep up with the rat race – why not? There isn’t one! Giving you the opportunity to live well in Buller and spend that saved money on living life, socialising, entertainment, holidays, family, fun and friends.Westport has everything except the complications of city life

Born from the self-sufficiency of isolation, modern day Buller is now digitally connected to the rest of the world through fast broadband and internet. With New Coast families coming to live here, Buller has invested in its future –upgrading essential infrastructure and developing

superb recreational and cultural facilities as part of business/community partnerships. Living ‘out country’ can mean anything from a 10 – 20 minute drive from Charleston, Tauranga Bay or Carters Beach or a slightly longer drive from North of Westport. These areas that surround Westport provide a fantastic lifestyle - wherever you make your home the commute is a stunning drive with breathtaking scenery and sunsets with no traffic jams unlike city life!

Shopping and Everyday ServicesWestport’s busy CBD provides a wide range of retail shopping and services. All the essentials are here with two modern supermarkets, post office, pharmacy, service stations, and a great range of individual retailers specialising in everything from Asian imports to fashion, furniture and appliances.

Buller has seven different banks and building societies based in Westport to assist with mortgages and lending including all the big names in banking. A full range of trade services are also available in Buller and Coast-wide and if there’s a specialism missing visiting tradesfolk from Nelson and Christchurch also provide services.

Keep all the money you used to spend on

city living costs

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PERCENT OF EMPLOYED PEOPLE25%

20%

15%

10%

5%

0%MACHINERYOPERATORS

& DRIVERS

LABOURERSSALES WORKERS

CLERICAL & ADMINISTRATIVE

WORKERS

COMMUNITY & PERSONAL

SERVICE WORKERS

TECHNICIANS & TRADES WORKERS

PROFESSIONALSMANAGERS

ALL OF NEW ZEALAND

BULLER DISTRICT

OCCUPATION, 2006: All New Zealand and Buller District

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10 great reasonsIntro

Click on our interactive menu and links throughout to go directly to the section you would like to see.

Buller and its Council have made the top ten for economic performance in Berl’s regional rankings report for the past five years…and made number 1 in 2011.

Buller district topped four of the nine ranking indicators. It had the highest employment and business unit growth in 2011; and the best employment and GDP growth over the past five years of all districts.

Job growth here in the last ten years has been a good percentage point ahead of the national average and unemployment way below the national average.

The spectrum of jobs available here is clearly shown on this graph:

Business, Jobs and Opportunities

Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006

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Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006

MAIN INDUSTRIES FOR EMPLOYMENT, 2006: All New Zealand and Buller District

PERCENT OF EMPLOYED PEOPLE

TRANSPORT, POSTAL & WAREHOUSING

EDUCATION & TRAINING

CONSTRUCTION

HEALTH CARE & SOCIAL ASSISTANCE

MINING

MANUFACTURING

ACCOMMODATION & FOOD SERVICES

RETAIL TRADE

AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY & FISHING

0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16% 18%

BULLER DISTRICT

ALL OF NEW ZEALAND

7 Relocation Support & Useful contacts

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Education & Community Learning

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Culture, The Arts, Heritage

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10 great reasonsIntro

Click on our interactive menu and links throughout to go directly to the section you would like to see.

The Main Industries our jobs come fromAlthough farming, forestry and fishing are large employers here, we have more retail, accommodation and food services jobs available than most places. And that makes sense with the huge growth we’re seeing in tourism with over a million international visitors alone visiting the Coast each year – and that doesn’t count nomadic kiwis coming for a breather.

Our main money earners for our economy are dairy and minerals and it’s the high prices for these two items that have kept us relatively stable throughout the recession.

We’re hungry for your skillsSuffice to say we’re always looking for clever, hardworking folk to live, work and play here. Unemployment here is low, and so is our population so you can really make a difference.

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10 great reasonsIntro

Click on our interactive menu and links throughout to go directly to the section you would like to see.

One of Development West Coast’s core functions is to offer business support. The team at DWC are continuously developing and expanding the Business Toolbox which provides access to a range of services. Including business mentoring, networking opportunities, training and development.

It also partners with a number of organisations, including New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and New Zealand Institute of Management Southern. Partnering with these organisations provides additional support opportunities to our businesses through enabling access to a greater range of information, support and funding. These courses are run Coast-wide.

www.dwc.org.nz

The best jobs are those you create yourselfIt’s so easy to be your own boss here – simply find a gap in the market, come up with an idea and then there’s all the help in the world to get you started.

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Many of our new entrepreneurs have created wonderful new tourism ventures using the incredible landscapes and history we have here to tell stories or let people get closer to nature and its power.

Some have developed new services like coffee importing, roasting and blending; sandblasting and protective coating application to sports energy foods. Others are working to develop new horticulture ventures – cranberries, hydroponic growing, organic sand-fly repellents, and micro-power generation.

The best jobs are the ones you create yourself – start your own business in Buller

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10 great reasonsIntro

Click on our interactive menu and links throughout to go directly to the section you would like to see.

Industry Training New Zealand is an NZQA registered and accredited provider with 35 operational staff and specialist trainers on the Coast and is based in Westport. It runs an extensive range of specialist industry training courses for a wide range of workplaces throughout New Zealand.

www.industrytraining.co.nz

Tai Poutini Polytechnic (TPP) is a large tertiary provider on the West Coast. Their tutors are all experts in their field, have excellent industry connections and are passionate about teaching. They are serious about education and want you to learn the skills you need to succeed.

TPP offer a wide range of practical programmes, with a focus on vocational education and applied skills. All TPP programmes have NZQA approval and are designed to give you a strong foundation in your chosen career.

Areas of study available from Westport include: Engineering, Science, Early Childhood Education, Business, Hospitality and Tourism to name a few.

In addition to its campus in Westport, TPP has campuses in Greymouth, Reefton, Christchurch, Wanaka and Auckland, and offers industry training throughout NZ.

www.tpp.ac.nz

For our important dairy and agriculture industries the West Coast Farm Training Scheme and the Agriculture ITO provide valuable support and training.

The Westport Deep Sea Fishing School is a specialist NZQA registered private training establishment teaching vessel operations and seafood processing skills. The school is based in Westport and offers a residential program that is suited to the development of skills needed by the fishing industry.

www.deepsea.co.nz

Training for Business and Trades

There are heaps of courses, some special ‘schools’ for those special skills we need for our mines, our outdoor adventure tourism and our hard stone carving.

Planning AheadAlthough mining is set to continue and expand over the next 30 to 40 years, it will not be here for ever.

The Buller District Council is developing a 2050 strategy in partnership with the community to shape Buller’s future with a focus on sustainable employment post-mining.

Good, affordable commercial and industrial land available for business or industry start-ups is zoned and ready for development – and the Department of Conservation keen to assist in the development of concessions for innovative use of the national park and conservation land that covers over 80 percent of Buller.

Council has an Economic development and Marketing Officer.

The Officer provides business support and practical help for new businesses including communicating training courses available, networking opportunities and providing material such as this district profile and researching and facilitating new economic development opportunities in Buller.

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Education & Community Learning

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Health and Wellbeing

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Culture, The Arts, Heritage

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10 great reasonsIntro

Click on our interactive menu and links throughout to go directly to the section you would like to see.

Pre-SchoolsMore than seven pre-school and early learning centres providing safe, quality learning environments for littlies from Karamea in the North through to Reefton. Westport has two top class new facilities built in the last couple of years – one of which is right next to the Solid Energy Recreation Centre.

You are spoilt for choice in Westport with three child care centres, Kindergarten and Playcentre. There are also Playcentres in Reefton and Karamea. There is also a full programme in Westport every week of fantastic things for mums with babies and young children to get out and about meet and mingle for example movement to music.

Primary and Secondary SchoolsEight Primary Schools provide caring creative learning throughout the region; and three secondary schools (in Westport, Reefton, and Karamea) cater for our Buller secondary school students. Buller High School being the largest secondary school facility based in Westport. For more information and news from Buller High click here

buller.kiwischools.com

Both Reefton and Karamea are composite schools catering for intermediate and high school age students. Karamea offsets the isolation of its location by ensuring many trips away in the school vehicle and a good library and internet facilities for students.

Community learning SupportPart of having a caring community is making sure everyone has the chance to learn and upgrade their opportunities, especially in isolated areas. In Buller we have several very special educational providers who do this.

The Buller Rural Education Activities Programme (REAP) is a ‘Not For Profit’ organisation, that started in 1981, with a main office based in Westport. Their function is to provide special learning opportunities and community support uniquely tailored to the needs of people living here. All their programmes are run to ensure that people who live in small communities and rural areas have access to first class learning opportunities and support while learning.

For more detail about the wonderful programmes they run from film workshops for young people, to Te Reo Maori, and home visiting programmes for house-bound or lonely oldies, visit their website

www.bullerreap.co.nz

Adult and Community Education ProgrammeTai Poutini has a good Adult and Community Education Programme and also run the useful STAR programmes. These help young people move more easily and successfully from high school study to tertiary study.

www.tpp.ac.nz

Education There is a wide range of educational facilities in Buller

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Education & Community Learning

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Culture, The Arts, Heritage

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10 great reasonsIntro

Click on our interactive menu and links throughout to go directly to the section you would like to see.

Hailed as the envy of the country in the 2009 Nelson Marlborough Architecture Awards – public category, it is simply magnificent! “Have fun, stay healthy, live life” is what they’re all about. Take a look!

Sports & Recreation

The Solid Energy Centre is council owned and operated, it is community rather than solely profit focused. Accessible for older folk the hydrotherapy pool is hugely beneficial, there really is something here for everyone.

learn to Swim @ the Solid Energy CentreEach term our Learn to Swim programme kicks into action, with close to 200 children and adults participating. Our qualified instructors know exactly how to motivate your kids to learn, have fun and be safe in the water as well as teach adults who want to enjoy the many health benefits that come with swimming. Enquire at reception or check out our website for all the details.

The Centre attracts many tournaments and smaller conferences bringing revenue into the district and houses a Sports and Recreation Adviser for local clubs and programmes.

The Solid Energy Centre has a two court stadium, hydrotherapy pool, children’s pool, lap pool, two squash courts, multipurpose room, Hockey turf and meeting room with lots of classes to have fun and keep fit for all ages and abilities.

www.solidenergycentre.co.nz

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10 great reasonsIntro

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Thriving Sports Clubs, Quirky Pubs and Award-winning Cafes

Buller has a massive range of sports and recreational clubs and a full range of service clubs such as Rotary, Lions, and Freemasons along with the RSA in Reefton, Westport and Karamea, and top class Chartered Clubs such as the Club Buller in Westport. In many rural areas the Golf Clubs and Volunteer Fire Brigades also serve as licenced social and networking centres for local communities where everything from local talent quests to big funerals are held.

West Coast Pubs are legendary and Buller is rich in them. They are true social centres with strong social clubs, family events, and good homely local food and accommodation.

Buller has the best and most award-winning cafes on the Coast with even rural communities well served with great food and fun in stunning locations. As our community becomes more and more culturally diverse, we are seeing a rise in interesting foods being available in our supermarkets and restaurants with more ethnic restaurants also opening.

Check them out on

www.buller.co.nz/show/activities/cafes-restaurants-bars

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10 great reasonsIntro

Click on our interactive menu and links throughout to go directly to the section you would like to see.

The denniston Experience

Three of Buller’s newest and most exciting attractions are built around its past. Each of these is unique, true to its roots and cannot be experienced anywhere else. Two of them have been developed by New Coasters – entrepreneurial folk from ‘away’ who’ve fallen in love with the area and harnessed that passion for its past to the present. We reckon the more ‘virtual’ life becomes the more precious REAL experiences will be.

Buller’s Past leads to new world class visitor experiences

The Old Ghost RoadThe Old Ghost Road - part of the New Zealand Cycle Trail - is an epic 80km cycling and tramping trail through some of the most diverse and awe-inspiring natural and cultural heritage in New Zealand. Day trips or multi-day adventures await you! Information and hut bookings available at

www.oldghostroad.org.nz

An interactive experience where you get into real mining gear, tag in for your shift and board a narrow-gauge train to do the job the boss assigns you underground. It recreates what life was like for many of our pioneers. It uses the oldest of the historic Denniston Mines 2,000 ft up on the bleak, mist-laden high plateau at Denniston, to recreate life at the coalface 130 years ago. There is also a phone app which links points on the Plateau to the best-selling books by Jenny Patrick about this heritage high spot (Denniston Rose and Heart of Coal).

www.denniston.co.nz

The new Coaltown MuseumBrand new and purpose-built on Westport’s main street, Coaltown is an industrial Museum dedicated to telling the stories of the pioneers that battled our rugged environment in search of a better life.

New Visitor Centre and Information Centre - Westport I-SiteEntry into the new Coaltown Museum is through the brand new Westport I-site which also houses the local AA services.These two projects are another community/business partnership led by the Buller District Council which is very much focused on making Buller a great place to live work and play.

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10 great reasonsIntro

Click on our interactive menu and links throughout to go directly to the section you would like to see.

Buller is a mecca for many things in the great outdoors especially short walks, tramping and mountain biking. Other popular pursuits include kayaking, white water rafting, surfing, fishing, exploring our deserted beaches, experiencing the local heritage and enjoying the eco / nature experiences. No matter what outdoor pursuit takes your fancy you are spoilt for choice in Buller. With the Heaphy Track, Charming Creek Walkway, the Old Ghost Road, Denniston, The Buller River, Victoria Forest Park, The Seal Colony, Kahuranghi and Paparoa National Parks and The Oparara to name but a few. Find out more from the department of conservation.

The Great OutdoorsOver 84% of Buller land is national park and conservation land. Making it not only wild and beautiful but packed with activities to enjoy!

www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation

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10 great reasonsIntro

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Entertainment & Events

The NBS Theatre This state of the art film and performance complex is Buller’s newest community/business partnership project. It is incredible. Take a look!

www.nbstheatre.co.nz

Buller folk get to see the latest film releases at the same time Aucklanders do and at much better prices! The small art-house theatre in the complex caters for less mainstream interests from opera, to art and foreign film – it’s also the home of the new and active Westport Film Club.

Best of all its giving Buller locals old and young an outstanding venue to feature and grow local talent of all kinds and the chance to perform in front of sold out, admiring audiences.

Regular live shows from theatre and live drama, to ballet and symphony are featured throughout the year.

There is almost always an event in Buller with some of the most popular being The Buller Gorge Marathon, The Best of The West, Westport Performing Arts Competition to name but a few.

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10 great reasonsIntro

Click on our interactive menu and links throughout to go directly to the section you would like to see.

Health and WellbeingPlanning for the futureWith plans to redevelop Grey Base Hospital in Greymouth and two new Integrated Family Health Centres planned in Greymouth and Westport, health services here are on the up.

A key goal in the West Coast District Health Board’s plan for the future is the new Integrated Family Health Centre (IFHC) for Buller which will bring together various health professionals. The IFHC will save time on referrals and help get the right services delivered to patients in a seamless way. The integrated team will also include Maori health workers.

Buller Health services cover the area from Punakaiki in the south to Karamea in the north, and Inangahua Junction in the east with rural clinics in all outlying areas. Rural Clinics such as the new one in Ngakawau in Northern Buller are staffed by highly qualified rural nurses, supported by visiting doctors and health specialists.

Specialist services for Buller patients are provided by scheduled clinics through Buller Hospital Outpatients Department and from Grey Base Hospital, which is 100 km away.

In Reefton there are also medical services available with rural nurse specialists and a part time practice nurse. The hospital is equipped with beds for assessment and observation, GP admissions, palliative care and aged residential care beds for elderly. The medical centre provides all general practice services, including emergency care Monday to Friday and they hold weekend emergency clinics.

Innovative record sharing introducedA new electronic Share for Care system was introduced to the Coast last year to improve the way health care is provided. This allows all health professionals involved in a person’s care to access an electronic summary of key parts of a patient’s general practice health records.

Telehealth improves access to specialist careThe West Coast DHB introduced telehealth about three years ago, which uses video conferencing technologies to deliver health-related services and information.

This technology supports clinical collaboration with the West Coast DHB and other DHBs - particularly Canterbury to enhance local care skills, to improve access for patients living remotely and to facilitate flexibility for the health workforce and the development of health care networks.

Telehealth connects Buller clinicians to specialists in Christchurch and other parts of the country. The specialists are able to support local clinicians and families and advise on how best to care for patients with more complex health needs. The roll out of this technology has proven very successful.

Health ServicesMedical and SurgicalBuller Health provides a range of medical services including: 24 hour emergency, and acute medical treatment at Buller Hospital in Westport. Surgical and breast-screening buses frequently visit Buller providing convenient, local access to minor surgery and mammograms. Major surgery is done in Greymouth, Christchurch, or occasionally Nelson.

Maori Health Care servicesThese are provided through Poutini Waiora where Maori health specialists deliver culturally appropriate service to our local Maori community. Whanau support, rural nurse specialists, mental health, community health workers and an outreach immunisation service are some of the health services provided by this Trust based in Westport. district and Community Nurses A team of dedicated district and community nurses provide a wide range of support and services for newborns to older persons across the West Coast. Rural Nurse SpecialistsRural Nurse Specialists also have a component of their work dedicated to the role of providing Public Health in the communities they work in rurally and remotely. Other servicesA full range of other health care from mental health, to youth health issues, radiology, sexual and dietary health, social workers, and diagnostic services all operate through Buller Health and the West Coast District Health Board.

Elderly care and palliative careThe DHB provides some eldercare services for Buller through the Dunsford Ward and a 27-bed residential home called Kynnersley. Another provider of residential care is the O’Conor Trust, which is independent of the DHB.

www.oconorhome.co.nz

New partnership with Nurse MaudeThe telehealth pilot has worked so well that it is now being expanded into palliative care through a new partnership between Nurse Maude, an in-home care provider, in Christchurch and the West Coast. This partnership will also offer increased staffing for palliative care on the Coast, along with world class input, support and training for carers.

Expect a full range of other community service providers from Plunket, Citizen’s Advice Bureau, the Budgeting Service and the Salvation Army; through to Family Start and even a dedicated Women’s drop-in Centre run by the Potikohua Trust.

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Housing,Living Essentials& Climate

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Business, Jobs and opportunities

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Education & Community Learning

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Sports, Recreation, Entertainment

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Health and Wellbeing

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Culture, The Arts, Heritage

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10 great reasonsIntro

Click on our interactive menu and links throughout to go directly to the section you would like to see.

Culture, Heritage, and Support for New Coasters“A people without the knowledge of their past history,

origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” MARCUS GARVEy

Wonderful storiesBuller’s wonderful stories of the past are told and displayed in a network of museums and living history walking trails through the region, and through some fantastic new experiences developed by tourism business operators and volunteers. Each one reflects its past and present and the people who shaped it. There are so many we can’t cover them all but here’s a great link to get a taste

www.buller.co.nz/show/activities/heritage-experiences

The Art SceneThe creative arts flourish here – but in a shy West Coast way.

Many artists from well-known to emerging work here. Artists working with oils, to water colour, to textile arts, and crafts. Then there’s the talented furniture and wood artisans working with our red beech, kahikatea, and rimu. Timber’s in the blood here and treasured. Quilting is big too with knitting and home crafts popular.

Most artists and crafters display their work at cooperative galleries in Punakaiki, Westport, Granity and Karamea but some are open at their own galleries along the way.

Check them out here

www.bullerarts.org.nz/

Sculptors, jewellers, ceramic artists and some of the best hard stone and jade carvers in the world work here – no surprise as one of the top hard carving courses in the country is taught here.

Buller library Services Buller has a fantastic library service on offer – far more than just books. No matter if you want to enjoy the latest Bestsellers, picture books for the kids, or research a topic; the library is easy to use, engaging and enjoyable. It also provides a wide range of services most New Zealand public libraries nowadays make available including computer access, scanning facilities and free internet or Wifi services. The library is a great place to meet and bring the children as well. Holiday activities and reading programmes are very popular with kids of all ages. The district library is located in Westport and a branch library in Reefton. Library membership is free to all residents. As a library member you can access the whole collection. A 24/7 online service is available to browse the catalogue, renew or request a book. If you find expiry dates an inconvenience, use the virtual library and download e-books or audio-books or even research full-text-databases. This helps save trees and is a great alternative if you can’t travel to town. To get a taste of our library, check out the latest library news or visit their Facebook page….

www.bullerdc.govt.nz/libary

www.facebook.com/Buller-District-Library

West Coast Kete There are so many stories to tell to capture the true spirit of our place. The West Coast Kete –is for groups and individuals who want to digitally preserve stories, photos, memories and other living histories on a safe and accessible website. The “kete” – a maori word used for a woven flax basket – is a free service. You can even use it to keep safe irreplaceable materials you have collected. It is important that we don’t lose the stories of our people. Look up the memories of Denniston mining and other early settlers locations. Listen to some of the old folks interviewed and find images of unique heritage sites in our region. The West Coast Kete is a joined project between West Coast libraries and National Library to preserve the historical and current memories to be shared with all New Zealanders. Be part of it!

ketewestcoast.peoplesnetworknz.info

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Culture, The Arts, Heritage

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10 great reasonsIntro

Click on our interactive menu and links throughout to go directly to the section you would like to see.

The New Coasters contact offers migrant support and advice.

There’s an email network, a monthly newsletter, and several get togethers a month including coffee mornings and social events like pot luck dinners, movie nights, group walks, crafting etc.

www.newcomers.co.nz

New Coasters come from around the world and from all over New Zealand

Currently we have people from 30 different countries living in the Buller. The biggest groups of migrants are from The Philippines, South Africa and India. We have people from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Chile, Czech Republic, Cambodia, Fiji, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, The Netherlands, Nepal, Norway, Russia, Scotland, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, Ukraine, USA and Zimbabwe. We love ‘em all.

Media – we have our own opinions!There’s no Rupert Murdoch influence here. We still have our own voice with one of New Zealand’s last remaining privately owned daily newspaper and radio network giving Buller people a mix of national and local news, views and information uniquely tailored to them.

Relocation SupportMore and more New Coasters are coming to live in Buller and we are becoming less ‘European’ and more diverse culturally and ethnically. Two of our recent imports now run the following help groups for recent arrivals. New Coasters is an award winning Coast Wide organisation with bases in Westport and Greymouth.

The Newcomers NetworkThis is a social network group for all those new to Westport & surrounds who wish to share their experiences and meet new people

The Settling-in Programme

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10 great reasonsIntro

Click on our interactive menu and links throughout to go directly to the section you would like to see.

USEfUl lINKS:

Start NowInvest in yourself & your futureContact Buller’s Economic Development and Marketing Officer:

your Entrée to all the essential information and services you need to:check us outmake a move

find a jobdevelop a new idea

build or buy a businessinvest in the region

Relocation Resources and Information

Buller Information Centreswww.buller.co.nz/show/collections

Buller district Council www.bullerdc.govt.nz

Buller Real Estate www.propertybrokers.co.nz

Harcourt’s West Coast www.harcourts.co.nz

landmark Real Estate www.Bullerhomes.co.nz

New Coasters Newcomers Networkwww.newcomers.co.nz

Buller Events www.bullerdc.govt.nz

Recreation, Sport & Entertainment

Buller Top of The West Coast www.buller.co.nz

The Solid Energy Centre Westport www.solidenergycentre.co.nz

NBS Theatre www.nbstheatre.co.nz

Industry Training New Zealand www.industrytraining.co.nz

Produced by Buller District Council

Education and Training

Buller district Economic development

and Marketing Officewww.bullerdc.govt.nz

Buller High School buller.kiwischools.com

Tai Pountini Polytechnic www.tpp.ac.nz

Buller Reap www.bullerreap.co.nz

development West Coast www.dwc.org.nz

youth learning www.youthscene.co.nz

Westport deep Sea fishing School www.deepsea.co.nz

Buller’s Great OutdoorsThe Old Ghost Road

www.oldghostroad.org.nz

department of Conservation www.doc.govt.nz