Westland Tai Poutini National Park is a protected area on the western coast of New Zealand's South Island. It was created in 1960 as Westland National Park to celebrate the 100th anniversary of European settlement in the Westland District. The park covers 1,320 square kilometers (330,000 acres) of mountainous land and forests. It shares a border with Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park along the Main Divide of the Southern Alps and includes many glaciers, such as Fox / Te Moeka o Tuawe and Franz Josef / Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere glaciers.

The towns of Fox Glacier and Franz Josef / Waiau are the main populated areas within the park. Remnants of old gold mining towns can also be found along the coast. The park allows hunting for red deer, chamois, and tahr, with helicopters helping hunters reach difficult, mountainous regions. The Copland Track runs upstream from the Karangarua River bridge. Visitors can see mountain views along the trail and find hot springs near Welcome Flat Hut.

History

Ngāi Tahu people historically traveled in the Westland coastal areas to collect pounamu. Their settlements were located along the coast, with larger villages at Maitahi and Makāwhio, and a pā at Ōkārito. The Ngāi Tahu were familiar with the inland areas now within the park and knew the landmarks well. Many local Māori mountain climbers were remembered for guiding European explorers.

European settlers began expanding into the area in the mid-1860s, partly because of the desire for coal and gold. This led to the West Coast gold rush. Alluvial gold was found in beaches and waterways, which were mined. This caused settlements at Gillespies Beach, Ōkārito, Three Mile Beach, and Five Mile Beach to be created or expanded. Interest in gold decreased after about a decade, but European visitors continued to explore the area’s scenic views. As access improved, tourism and hospitality businesses grew quickly.

Many registered archaeological and historic sites are located in the park, but few are from before European arrival. This lack of representation is noted in the park’s management, though existing Māori wāhi tapu (sacred sites) are not shared publicly.

The park has grown over time by adding nearby forest reserves and conservation land. Ōkārito and Waikukupa State Forests were added in 1982, followed by the upper Karangarua Valley in 1983. North Ōkārito and Saltwater State Forests were added in 2002, and over 4,400 hectares (11,000 acres) of other land scattered throughout the park were added in 2010.

Geography

Westland Tai Poutini National Park covers 1,320 square kilometers (510 square miles) only on the western side of the South Island's main divide, making it New Zealand's fifth largest national park. The park includes many different environments, from high alpine tundra near the park's border with Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park to coastal wetlands around Ōkārito Lagoon. This creates a wide range of elevations within the park, which rises from sea level up to 3,498 meters (11,476 feet) at Mount Tasman. The mountains cause a lot of rainfall in the park because winds from the west push moist air upward, leading to the thick temperate rainforests found throughout the area.

Ecology

Coastal wetlands are good homes for wading bird species. Lake Māpōurika is where the endangered Kāmana / Pūteketeke live, and Ōkārito Lagoon is known for having kōtuku. Kea can be found in many areas of the park. The only group of Okarito kiwi (rowi) lives in the lowland forests of the park.