Westland District Council — Property Due Diligence Guide
Westland District Council governs the southern part of the West Coast, with a population of approximately 8,500. The main town is Hokitika, a historic gold mining town known for its greenstone (pounamu) carving and wild Tasman Sea coastline. The district stretches from Kumara in the north to Haast in the south, encompassing Franz Josef and Fox Glacier townships.
Quick Facts
Useful Links
How to Order a LIM Report
Contact Westland District Council directly to order a LIM. Standard processing takes 10 working days.
Westland LIMs cover building consents, resource consents, rates, zoning, flood risk, and contaminated land. Many properties in the district are near rivers and are subject to flood risk. The LIM will also show any relevant heritage or conservation overlays.
For properties in Franz Josef and Fox Glacier townships, pay attention to any natural hazard overlays related to glacial and alluvial fan flooding.
District Plan Zones
Westland's District Plan includes:
- Residential Zone: Town residential in Hokitika, Franz Josef, Fox Glacier, and other settlements
- Rural Zone: Farming and rural land
- Commercial/Tourist Zone: Tourism-related zones around glacier townships
- Conservation Zone: Extensive areas managed for conservation values
Development pressure is low, and planning rules are generally less restrictive than in urban centres.
Natural Hazards
Westland's natural hazard profile is significant:
- Flooding: River flooding is a major hazard, particularly in the Hokitika, Whataroa, and glacier river catchments. Franz Josef has experienced significant flooding events.
- Alpine Fault: The Alpine Fault runs directly through parts of the district. A major rupture would cause severe damage.
- Glacial hazards: Glacier townships face risks from glacier lake outburst floods and alluvial fan flooding.
- Coastal erosion: The Tasman Sea coastline is actively eroding in many areas.
- Land instability: Steep terrain and high rainfall create significant slip risk.
Building Consent & Code Compliance
Building consent is processed by Westland District Council. Standard processing targets 20 working days.
Building in Westland requires robust design for extreme rainfall (some areas receive over 5,000mm annually), seismic risk, and remote locations. Properties in glacier townships face additional natural hazard considerations that affect building design.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I know about buying property in Franz Josef or Fox Glacier?
Glacier township properties are heavily influenced by tourism and natural hazard risk. Both townships face flooding risks from glacier-fed rivers and alluvial fans. Climate change is causing glacier retreat, altering flood patterns. Check the LIM carefully for hazard overlays and consider the seasonal nature of the tourism economy.
How remote is property in the Westland district?
Westland is one of New Zealand's most remote and sparsely populated districts. Many areas are hours from the nearest hospital or major services. Road access can be cut by floods or landslips, sometimes for extended periods. Factor in isolation when considering property in the district.
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