From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It has been suggested that Greymouth tornado be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)

Greymouth is the largest town in the West Coast region on the South Island of New Zealand, and the seat of the Grey District Council. Its population of 13,221 accounts for 42% of the West Coast's inhabitants.^{[citation needed]} The town is expected to grow by 1.5% per year for the coming decade.^[1]

Contents 1 Location 2 History 3 Economy 4 See also 5 References 6 External links

The town is located at the mouth of the Grey River, on a narrow coastal plains close to the foot of the Southern Alps. In clear weather, Aoraki/Mount Cook can be clearly seen to the south from near the town. The mouth of the river divides the town into three areas: Blaketown, close to the river's mouth on the south bank; Karoro, to the southeast, separated from Blaketown by a series of small lakes; and Cobden, formerly a separate town, on the river's north bank.

It is on State Highway 6, which connects it with Hokitika in the south and Westport in the north. It also stands at the terminus of State Highway 7, which runs through Dobson and Reefton, eventually reaching north Canterbury and Christchurch via Lewis Pass. The town is also the western terminus of the Midland line from Christchurch. Large coal trains often operate from Greymouth on this line to Christchurch. The famous TranzAlpine train also terminates and begins in Greymouth.

Māori had lived in Greymouth for considerable time before European settlement, and called the area Mawhera (for 'wide spread river mouth',^[2] still an alternative name for the Grey River). The first European to visit the site of what is now Greymouth was Thomas Brunner in 1846. Brunner discovered coal in the Grey valley, and several places in the region (notably the town of Brunner and Lake Brunner) bear his name. Brunner himself named the Grey River after prominent 19th century New Zealand politician Sir George Grey.^[3] Together with gold, coal mining was a major impetus in the town's early European history.^[2]

From 1853 until the abolition of provinces in 1876, Greymouth was a part of the Nelson Province.

Greymouth has a history of coal and gold mining. When the mining industry started to decline, forestry became a new staple industry. Fishing has long been important to the town, despite the fact that the entrance to the Grey River has two notoriously dangerous sandbars - an inner and outer bar.

The town's major industries include fishing, mining, forestry, and ecotourism, the latter two of these industries holding an uneasy relationship with each other. The Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki, 45 km to the north are a popular local tourist attraction, while many also pass through on the route to or from the glaciers to the south.

Greymouth is also known for its Pounamu ("Greenstone", a form of Jade) carving industry which goes back to Māori origins.^[2] The town also has a local brewery, Montheiths, which produces beer since 1868,^[3] now sold countrywide.

The planned opening of the Pike River mine in early 2008 will spur new investment into upgrading port facilities at the town.^[4] Without the development, a closure of the port had been mooted, and hopes are now that the coal barges travelling to and from reshipment facilities in Taranaki can also carry containerised cargo to the town. The opening of the new mine, as well as the planned Spring Creek mine, has been called the biggest investment happening in the area for a hundred years.^[5]

• Greymouth tornado
• List of regions in New Zealand
• Territorial Authorities of New Zealand.

1. ^ Key assumptions... (from the 'Long Term Community Outcomes Plan: 2006-2016', amended June 2007)
2. ^ ^{a b c} Greymouth (from Tourism New Zealand, the official New Zealand tourism agency)
3. ^ ^{a b} Greymouth / Blackball (from the Tourism West Coast website)
4. ^ How the West was won:Pike River on track - New Zealand Construction News, Volume 2, Issues 3, July 2007
5. ^ Pike River coal mine goes ahead on DOC land - New Zealand Herald, Sunday 14 January 2007

• The district council's website
• Greymouth Street Map

Coordinates: 42°28′S, 171°12′E

v • d • e The TranzAlpine passenger train stops (Midland line)
Christchurch • Rolleston • Darfield • Springfield • Cass • Arthur's Pass • Otira • Jacksons • Moana • Brunner • Greymouth