Hokitika is a historic town in the West Coast region of NZ’s South Island. Close to the mouth of the Hokitika River, this character-filled town is 40 kilometres south of Greymouth.

Historic Hokitika was first settled in 1860, after the discovery of gold on the West Coast. It is a place to appreciate the fascinating history of the West Coast. Visit to hear about the ship wrecks, gold miners and pounamu hunters.

The town was an important river port. And many ships came to grief on the notorious ‘Hokitika Bar’ – a sandbar that shifts with every tide.

Nowadays Hokitika is known as a Cool Little Town. There are some lovely old buildings on the town’s historic walk. You’ll also notice galleries specialising in pounamu jewellery and art works. And Hokitika’s iconic event is the Wildfoods Festival, held at the end of summer each year.

The Arahura River, entering the sea just north of Hokitika, is a traditional source of pounamu (greenstone). Gold jewellers, wood turners and potters provide other souvenir opportunities.