Hokitika, New Zealand

Hokitika is a township on the West Coast of New Zealand, 40 kilometres (25 Miles) south of Greymouth, and close to the mouth of the Hokitika River.

Founded on gold mining in 1864, it was a centre of the West Coast goldrush. By late 1866 it was one of the country's most populous centres. It became the capital of the short-lived Westland province in 1873.

The population has declined greatly since that time, and now only a little over 4500 people live in the town. The major industries of gold, coal, and forestry have all dwindled over the last century, but a growing ecotourism industry has grown up and the town is starting to show signs of recovery. It has become a major tourist stop on the West Coast's main highway route, with carving of greenstone an important local industry. It is also gaining a reputation for its annual famous for its wild food festival.