Westport, NZ

13/06/2026

Massive congratulations to Westport Municipal brass band who are the Champion band in the Nelson Marlborough West Coast Brass band competition!!!!! winning the Hymn Test and March! And champion over all band in the hymn and Nathan Keoghan winning the Champion Musical Director! The last time it was achieved was 1986!!!

12/06/2026

Would you like to get involved in this new business and landowners association? 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼

We're seeking expressions of interest for three roles: Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.

These are volunteer roles, working in conjunction with the committee to help turn a shared vision for the Westport area into visible change.

If you are interested in growing business in Westport, working with our wider community, and driving positive change, we would love to hear from you.

Head here for details and to submit an EOI:

https://www.westportenterprise.nz/news

We also encourage everyone in the business community to register for our launch on July 23. We would love to see you there.

https://www.westportenterprise.nz/register

(photo by Don & Ali Parish Photography - NZ)

11/06/2026

Looking for work, training opportunities, or a career change?

Development West Coast is hosting a West Coast Mining Information Session in Westport this month, bringing together employers, industry leaders, training providers, and the community.

The session is designed to help people learn about current and future job opportunities, training pathways, and projects happening across the region.

📅 Tuesday 23 June 2026
🕔 5.00pm – 7.00pm
📍 NBS Theatre, 105 Palmerston Street, Westport

For more information or to register, check out the webpage: https://westcoast.co.nz/events/west-coast-mining-information-session/

Development West Coast is the regional economic development agency for the West Coast, supporting initiatives that help create opportunities, skills, and jobs across the region.

11/06/2026

✨ Light Up Main Street, Westport! ✨

Take a stroll around town as our community lights up Main Street for the Annual Appeal Fundraiser 💡❤️
Local businesses have created some incredible displays and you get to pick your favourite! 👀✨

🗳️ Simply pop a coin into your favourite collection box to vote before the 26th of June!

Huge thanks to all the amazing businesses in the comments below bringing the sparkle 🌟👇

11/06/2026

This is great news! ✈️

🎉 Good news for regional connectivity 🎉

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that our scheduled service between Westport and Wellington has officially been extended until August 24th. We know how vital direct air links are for keeping the Westport community connected to the capital which is why our twice-weekly flights will continue to operate every Monday and Friday. This extension is made possible thanks to a temporary support from Development West Coast (DWC) to maintain network continuity while longer-term government funding options are being actively considered. While this support gives us fantastic certainty for the winter, it is a short-term measure. For essential regional routes like this to remain viable in the long term, they rely heavily on consistent backing and active use from the community. A massive thank you to DWC, and all our incredible passengers for your ongoing support 💛

Let’s keep our regions connected! Head over to originair.co.nz to view the schedule and lock in your winter travel between Westport and Wellington!

09/06/2026

It’s important that we all have our say. Make your submission 👉🏼 https://haveyoursay.westcoastcouncils.co.nz/

Okay, I know... Another submission! Bear with me.
The last time New Zealand went through local government reform this significant was 1989. That restructuring affected 850 bodies across the country. Communities didn't get a vote. It just happened.
This time is different - the West Coast councils are running a community conversation before any proposal goes to Government. What people say here actually shapes what goes forward. That's not nothing! In fact.. it's an opportunity that many of you will recognise.

Right now they're asking: One council for the whole Coast? A Grey-Westland merger with Buller in a separate arrangement? Or something else entirely?

That third option is very interesting interesting... because it's WIDE open. They're explicitly asking whether there's a better idea they haven't thought of yet. If you've ever sat in a meeting and thought "this system is broken and here's what would actually work" - write that down and submit it.

I've been involved in enough consultation processes to know feedback gets read. It informs what goes forward. The people designing this genuinely don't know what the community will say until the community says it.
No one understands Buller's reality better than the people living it. This is a rare window to say so on the record.

I'll find the consultation page and add the link to the comments ..

09/06/2026

These are cool! 💚💚💚

Show your love of Buller with these cool bumper stickers or badges! 💚 Pick yours up from Heritage Jewellers in Westport (one per person, please).

09/06/2026

Let's talk about the OGs of Westport Early Learning Centre – Marilyn Smith and Lorraine Ranger!

Marilyn has been part of our centre family for an incredible 37 years (on and off), while Lorraine has dedicated 25 years to supporting our tamariki. These two friendly and familiar faces have welcomed and cared for generations of children over the years.

Both Marilyn and Lorraine love their roles as Teacher Aides. Whether they're helping children learn new skills, offering a comforting hand, sharing a story, or celebrating milestones, the joy they get from supporting tamariki shines through every day.

We are incredibly grateful for the experience, kindness, and dedication they bring to our centre.

Thank you, Marilyn and Lorraine, for the difference you make in the lives of so many children and whānau. ❤️

08/06/2026

SUPER EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THE HEADLINE SPEAKERS FOR THIS YEARS BULLER YOUTH FESTIVAL!! 😍
Louisdavis and Guy Ryan! 🤩🤩🤩
Looking forward to hearing them speak to around 400 youth from along the coast. If you are a high school aged taiohi on the coast and want to come, talk to your school or email [email protected] for more info.
It all wouldn't be possible without the incredible support of
Buller Resilience Trust
West Coast Community Trust
Electro Service Limited
Buller High School
EPIC Kawatiri Westport
Youth Voice Kawatiri Council
Buller District Council

and all the incredible workshops hosts, venues and awesome people out there making it happen.

Workshop lists currently being finalised and will be out soon! 🥳

05/06/2026

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

🧱 Pay It Forward – Support the O'Conor Home 🧱

We're proud to be supporting the O'Conor Home's fundraising campaign for a new 25-bed extension.

Bricks are available for $10 each.

We also understand that times are tough for many people right now. That's why we're paying it forward with a $500 contribution.

If you'd like to support the O'Conor Home but can't quite stretch to the full $10 for a brick, simply make a donation of any amount and we'll top it up from our $500 fund until it's exhausted.

We believe it's better to give something than nothing at all, and every contribution helps make a difference.

Together, let's build something special for our community—one brick at a time.