Karamea is a town on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is the northernmost settlement of any real size on the West Coast, and is located 96 kilometres (60 mi) northeast by road from Westport. Apart from a narrow coastal strip, the town of Karamea and its local area are completely surrounded to the south, east and north by Kahurangi National Park.
Market Cross, Karamea, and the Ōtūmahana Estuary
Former Karamea Co-operative Dairy factory
Aerial view of Karamea in 1951 (Karamea River in centre)
Te Maia Kahurangi, depicting Te Maia riding on the back of a hōkioi that he had raised
The West Coast is a region of New Zealand on the west coast of the South Island. It is administered by the West Coast Regional Council, and is known co-officially as Te Tai Poutini. It comprises the territorial authorities of Buller District, Grey District and Westland District. The principal towns are Westport, Greymouth and Hokitika. The region, one of the more remote areas of the country, is also the most sparsely populated. With a population of just 32,900 people, the West Coast is the least populous region in New Zealand. The population in the region grew by 0.4% over the year to July 2023.
Pancake Rocks, Punakaiki
Dillmanstown, a gold mining town
Fox Glacier, a popular visitor destination on the West Coast
Knights Point, typical rugged coastline of the West Coast