Exploring Hokitika
Hokitika, the most southerly significant town on New Zealand's West Coast, serves as a gateway to the region's natural wonders. The town is associated with an interesting Māori history, being central to the pounamu trade, and featured in the gold rush of the 1860s. Today, it has an attractive centre and vibrant arts scene, including the conversion of large amounts of driftwood once seen on its beach into unique beach driftwood sculptures.
A Wild Coastal Gateway
Hokitika sits where the Hokitika River meets the Tasman Sea, on a stretch of coast known for powerful surf, shifting river mouths and beaches strewn with driftwood. Behind the town, the foothills of the Southern Alps rise sharply, and inland valleys lead towards pounamu (greenstone) sources in the Arahura River. This combination of ocean, mountains and river routes has long made Hokitika an access point into the heart of the West Coast.
Māori Travel and the Meaning of Hokitika
For centuries before gold arrived, Ngāi Tahu moved through the Hokitika valley on their way to collect pounamu from the Arahura. The name Hokitika derives from a phrase meaning “to return directly”, referring to the direct route inland toward pounamu sources and the need to return safely back to the coast. Pounamu carvers continue to work in the town today.
A Frontier Built on Gold
In 1864, Hokitika changed overnight when nearby gold discoveries triggered a rush of miners from around the world. Within a year, the quiet settlement had become New Zealand’s busiest port, crowded with ships waiting to cross the dangerous river bar. Makeshift banks, hotels and saloons appeared almost as fast as fortunes were won and lost in the goldfields around Kaniere and Ross.
The boom was short, but it defined the town’s character: resourceful, independent and shaped by the wild coast. After the rush faded, Hokitika settled into a quieter life built around fishing, forestry and, more recently, tourism.
Local Attractions and Events
Hokitika provides a range of services for visitors, including cafes and restaurants. The town's beach, once ignored despite being right next to the town, is now a focal point, with its driftwood used for large-scale beach art. A trail runs between the beach and the town, providing a natural sense of coastal integration.
Each March, Hokitika also hosts the popular Wild Food Festival, attracting food lovers from near and far.
How to Get There
Hokitika is located on State Highway 6, south of the intersection with State Highway 73, which takes you across Arthur's Pass towards Christchurch. Glacier Country, in the form of the small towns of Fox and Franz Josef, is to the south, and Greymouth is to the north.
While in Hokitika, explore the rural hinterland and discover the stunning Hokitika Gorge. From there, head to Dorothy Falls and Lake Kaniere. There is also an easy way to spot glowworms, with a grotto on the side of he highway at the north end of the town. To learn more about the gold rush of the 1860s, you can visit nearby Kumara to the north and Ross to the south.
