NZ West Coast

A look at the West Coast rain-forest, it's origins, ecology, and man's interaction with it. Beautiful colour photographs.

Hodder and Stoughton, Auckland, 1987. Softback. 92 pages. SECONDHAND

In 1846 Brunner and his Maori guides set off from Nelson and travelled down the Buller river and from its mouth down the coast to South Westland, an epic of early NZ exploration and travel. This is the first biography of Brunner and includes his own account of the great journey.

Nikau Press, Nelson, 2006. Hardback, no dust jacket as issued. 288 pages. NEW

The story of a pioneering folk hero. A colourful tale of adventure, discovery and survival in the most remote areas of the Southern Alps. Life of William James O'Leary 1865-1947. First published in 1996, this is the third edition.

Exisle Publishing Ltd., Auckland, 2012. Softback. 182 pages. SECONDHAND

Gerhard Mueller surveyed the West Coast during the gold rush and his letters to his wife in Invercargill written between 1865 and 1866 provide a glimpse into the isolation of the West Coast and the chaos of frontier society.

Pegasus Press, Christchurch, 1958. Hardback with dust-jacket. 238 pages. SECONDHAND

Gerhard Mueller surveyed the West Coast during the gold rush and his letters to his wife in Invercargill written between 1865 and 1866 provide a glimpse into the isolation of the West Coast and the chaos of frontier society. First published in 1958, this is a facsimile reprint.

Cadsonbury Publications, Christchurch, 2012. Softback. 237 pages. NEW

This very impressive and well illustrated book is still the best account of the West Coast gold rushes, as a whole. Philip Ross May was a West Coaster and a scholar with an international reputation. 1967 revised edition. THIS COPY has some pen notes to half-title and title page, and the dust jacket is a facsimile.

Pegasus Press, Christchurch, 1967. Hardback with dust jacket. 588 pages, illustrations. SECONDHAND

Origionally published in 1914 this is a new and expanded edition of the Diggers' Story, a collection of pioneer stories of the goldfields. Many previously unseen images have been included. A very interesting book.

Canterbury University Press, Christchurch, 2014. Softback. 191 pages. NEW

The most comprehensive history of the European occupation of the Buller district yet written from original material collected by the author who lived in the area all her life. First published in 1957, this is a facisimle reprint with a new index.

Cadsonbury Publications, Christchurch, 1999. Softback. 216 pages, with index. NEW

The Westport Golf Club opened in 1906 and this records the social history, membership and trophy winners. The club has been resident on various locations.

Concord Press Ltd., Christchurch, 2005. Softback. 132 pages. SECONDHAND

The book recalls the days when Hokitika was 'the most rising place on earth', enjoying unchallenged supremacy as the goldfields emporium, the sixth town in the Colony, and New Zealand's busiest port.

Pegasus Press, Christchurch, 1964. Softback with folds. 48 pages. SECONDHAND

A history of the original Hokitika State School, the period as 'Victoria' School, and finally the Hokitika District High School. Illustrated.

Guardian Print, 1953. Softback. 76 pages. SECONDHAND

Autobiography of a Hokitika notable. Henry served with 2NZEF in the middle east, and later in politics in Hokitika. His memoirs include local historical anecdotes as well as his experiences during the war. THIS COPY has presentation inscription from the author.

Silver Fox and Associates, Christchurch, 2001. Softback. 362 pages. 

An interesting illustrated history of Hokitika and district written to coincide with the British and Inter-Colonial Exhibition held there in 1923. This copy with a repaired dust jacket.

Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd., Christchurch, 1923. Hardback with no dust jacket. 187 pages. SECONDHAND

A facinating saga of the most rigorous and adventurous of the New Zealand gold fields. Touches briefly on the tragedies which stalked the early explorers and continues with stories of courage, panic, success, resource, failure, unbelievable privation and sacrifice, equal to the gold rushes anywhere.

A.H. & A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1959. Hardback with dust jacket. 223 pages. SECONDHAND

A well illustrated history of the great days of the Westland gold rushes, the people and the gold fields that developed from the Lyell in the north to Okarito in the south. First published in 1959, this is a facimile reprint.

Cadsonbury Publications, Christchurch, 2003. Softback. 223 pages. NEW

The author travelled throughout the region in the 1920s and 1930s collecting stories from those still living who remembered the great days of the gold rushes. She also writes of the construction of the Otira tunnel.

A.H. and A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1960. Hardback with dust jacket. 208 pages. SECONDHAND

Written in the form of a traveller's guide to the goldfields of the wild west coast and an examination of the bonanza of its glorious golden days, murder, mayhem and natural disasters.

A.H. and A.W. Reed Ltd., Wellington, 1975. Softback. 88 pages. SECONDHAND

A history of the various Maori and pioneer travelling routes along the coast of Westland from Farewell Spit to Milford Sound, and of some of the people who first used these routes.

Mark Pickering, Christchurch, 1993. Softback. 113 pages. SECONDHAND

Reminiscences of Westland from its settlement by gold-seekers and traders. These tales origionally appeared in the columns of the Grey River Argus. First published in book form in 1906, this is a facsimile reprint.

Cadsonbury Publications, Christchurch, 2010. Softback. 225 pages. NEW

A collection of good stories and hilarious anecdotes concerning the nature of West Coasters.

Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd., Christchurch, 1959. Hardback with dust jacket. 158 pages. SECONDHAND

Packed with anectdotes 17 years of life on the goldfields of Victoria, New Soth Wales and mostly the West Coast of New Zealand in the 1860s. First edition. THIS COPY has the text-block detaching from the boards, and the lower joint is partially split.

Edwards, Dunlop & Co., Melbourne, 1888. Cloth boards. 179 pages. SECONDHAND

After the exciting era of the West Coast alluvial gold rushes was over came the 'quartzmania' as men tried to wrest a fortune from the hard quartz reef of the Coast. This is the story of that mining effort. 

Pegasus Press, Christchurch, 1984. Hardback with dust jacket. 462 pages. SECONDHAND

A study of the history of the Irish on the coast who were initally attracted by the gold but many of whom stayed on to form a community with a distinctive character.

Otago University Press, Dunedin, 2007. Softback. 203 pages. NEW

A 1993 record of the development of Greymouth and district and some of the activities and achievements of its citizens, councils and community organisations. Published for the 125th Jubilee of the Grey District.

Greymouth Evening Star Co. Ltd., 1993. Softback. 160 pages. SECONDHAND

Memories of Rewanui Settlement, the Liverpool Coal Mines and the Rewanui Incline. Gives information on the railway, the mining industry and the community. Two folding maps at rear.

The Rewanui Preservation Society, Greymouth, 2000. Softback. 156 pages. SECONDHAND

The history of Kennedy Brothers of Greymouth. West Coast taxis and buses from 1912. Frank Kennedy was born in 1900, and spent 50 years driving for the firm.

Greymouth Evening Star, Greymouth (1980). Softback. 124 pages. SECONDHAND

A record of the Marist Brothers in Greymouth. 100 years of schooling and the contribution of students and former students to the community.

Marist Brothers Centennial Celebrations Committee, 1992. Softback. 140 pages. SECONDHAND

A collection of memories and stories of life in Greymouth between 1939 and 1965. Many photographs, excellent local history. THIS COPY has a minor watermark at foot of pages near the rear.

The Greymouth Evening Star, 1990. Card covers. 59 pages. SECONDHAND

Limestone geological formations and landscapes near Punakaiki on the West Coast captured in photographs. Text explains the Karst formations of the Paparoa Ranges.

Craig Potton, Nelson, 1987. Hardback with dust jacket. 118 pages. SECONDHAND

A good modern general history of the Buller District and of its colonisation by Europeans. Covers the gold rush era and its later phases as well as coal and coal mining. A chapter is devoted to each of the larger settlement and there are numerous interesting illustrations. 

Cadsonbury Publications, Christchurch, 2004. Softback. 224 pages. NEW

Describes the history of gold mining at Nelson Creek in Westland, the origins and fate of a once bustling gold rush town. Illustrated. First published in 1976 this is a facsimile reprint.

Cadsonbury Publications, Christchurch, 2009. Softback. 99 pages, illustrated. NEW

Short history of gold prospecting in the Nelson Creek area of Westland. Places about Nelson Creek, the Water Races, Chinese miners, dredges, schools and churches, farms and sawmills. With photographs and a map. This is a limited edition, number 135 of 500 copies. Signed by Peaches.

Self Published, 1976. Softback. 100 pages. SECONDHAND

A detailed history and survey of  gold mining in the Reefton area. Resource Information Report 15.

Energy and Resources Division, Ministry of Commerce, Wellington, 1993. Softback. 59 pages. SECONDHAND

A very comprehensive and detailed description of the hard rock mines in the Wesr Coast districts of Marlborough, Nelson and Westland, including maps and plans, written by an Inspector of Mines. First published in 1928, this is a facsimile reprint.

Cadsonbury Publications, Christchurch, 2003. Softback. 143 pages. NEW

Karamea District Centennial publication including the Karamea School Centennial. A wealth of information on settlement and industry in the district.

Buller Printing Company, (1975). Softback. 96 pages. SECONDHAND

Karamea District Centennial publication including the Karamea School Centennial. A wealth of information on settlement and industry in the district. First published in 1975.

Buller Printing Company, 1996. Softback. 96 pages. SECONDHAND

Famous for its dozens of hotels and its casino girls Charleston was New Zealand's classic gold mining town. Springing from nowhere in 1866, it rapidly grew into the bustling prosperous centre of the West Coast gold boom and just as swiftly collapsed when the gold was gone. Illustrations. First edition.

A.H. and A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1941. Hardback, no dust jacket. 231 pages. SECONDHAND

Famous for its dozens of hotels, one for every 150 people, and its Casino girls, Charleston was New Zealand's classis gold mining town. Springing from nowhere in 1866 it rapidly grew into a busy and prosperous centre and just as swiftly collapsed when the gold was gone. First published in 1941, this is a fascimile reprint.

Cadsonbury Publications, Christchurch, 2007. Softback. 250 pages. NEW

A story of a pioneering enterprise and a history of the area, it's timber mills and coal mines, tramways and associated engineering and todays tracks that mark this important industrial heritage.

NZ Railway ans Locomotive Society Inc., Wellington, 2012. Softback. 187 pages. NEW

Taken from the illustrated diary of William Smart, who began prospecting on the West Coast in 1862, before the 'rush'. Gives a good first hand account of life for Maori and Pakeha prospectors at the time.

Canterbury University Press, Christchurch, 2016. Softback. 157 pages. NEW

The history of the west coast gold rushes in the experience of one town, Ross, the most productive alluvial gold field in the country, unequalled in investment and technological development. Well illustrated text written by a goldfields scholar born in the town. A west coast classic.

Pegasus Press, Christchurch, 1970. Hardback with dust jacket. 104 pages. SECONDHAND

An interesting collection of six essays all written by ex coasters deal with key episodes in the political life of Westland, militancy was the common factor. Illustrated.

Whitcoulls Ltd., Christchurch, 1975. Hardback with dust jacket. 174 pages. SECONDHAND

In March 1868 a priest and a newspaper editor led a mock funeral into Hokitika cemetery to commemorate Fenian agitators hanged in Britain. This action provoked a strong reaction from the authorities and from loyalist miners. This is that history now part of west coast legend and romance.

Grantham House, Wellington. 1990. Softback. 178 pages. SECONDHAND.

A complete illustrated history of the remarkable technical achievement of winning coal from such an inhospitable landsape. Profusely illustrated with maps and photographs.

NZ Railway and Locomotive Society Inc., Wellington, 2008. Softback. 96 pages. NEW

An account of the fortunes of two families over three generations provides a window into life for a typical mining family at Burnetts Face, east of Westport, in the early 1900's. This copy signed by the author.

Buller Printing Ltd., Westport, 1994. Softback. 147 pages. SECONDHAND

The story of quartz mines and mining in the West Coast township of Waiuta by a long time resident. A story of drinking, gambling, fighting, loving above ground and slogging, swearing and sweating below. Illustrated. First published in 1962, this is a facsimle reprint with a new index.

Cadsonbury Publications, Christchurch, 2004. Softback. 166 pages, with index. NEW

A comprehensive history of the people and the gold mining at Waiuta on the South Island West Coast. This town lasted much longer than most other West Coast gold mining towns. Fully illustrated.

Friends of Waiuta Inc., Reefton, 1986. Softback. 135 pages. SECONDHAND

A collection of research notes concerning the West Coast coal mining settlement of Waiuta and it's people taken from the Grey River Argus. First published in 1986.

Friends of Waiuta, Reefton, 2001. Softback. 144 pages. SECONDHAND

An illustrated history to mark the centenary of commercial coal production from the Millerton-Stockton plateau on the West Coast of the South Island. Interesting and scarce.

Coal New Zealand, Christchurch, 1996. Softback. 162 pages. SECONDHAND

A collection of 99 well captioned photographs that illustrate the work and social life of the plateau communities from the 1890s to 1990s. Scarce.

Norman Crawshaw, Christchurch, 1996. Softback. 100 pages. SECONDHAND

A collection of 35 interesting essays on West Coast Buller District history and historical figures. Scarce.

Norman Crawshaw, Christchurch, 1997. Softback. 97 pages. SECONDHAND

Chronicles the early years of mining in Buller from the earliest days in the 1860s to the end of the nineteenth century when coal from the Buller was the basis of virtually all New Zealand's industrial and transport systems. Illustrated.

Norman Crawshaw, Westport, 1999. Softback. 116 pages. SECONDHAND

A comprehensive and well illustrated history of the mining and industrial activity of this famous West Coast area.

Bright Print, Greymouth, 2004. Softback. 194 pages, illustrations.  SECONDHAND

The Blackball strike of 1908 took place at the onset of a wave of industrial unrest in New Zealand associated with the formation of the "Red" Federation of Labour. This book addresses the local, national and international context of the eleven week strike.

Brian Wood, Greymouth, 2008. Softback. 230 pages. NEW

A complete illustrated history of the coal mine that operated north east of Greymouth on the West Coast for over 60 years, including details of the 1967 disaster that claimed the lives of 19 men. This copy signed by the author.

Grey Star James Print, Greymouth, 2006. Softback. 222 pages. SECONDHAND

The story of the first 40 years of the coal mining town and district, the first New Zealand state coal mine. Dedicated to the women of the area.

John Flood, Greymouth, 1996. Softback. 114 pages. SECONDHAND

This Jubilee publication includes notable Runanga sporting personalities, Runanga School, Co-Operative society, establishment of the settlement and politics in Westland.

Runanga Borough Council, 1986. Softback, 112 pages. SECONDHAND

Since the first electric power was used in Reefton in 1886 there have been a myriad of different power supplies functioning in Westland. This is a history of the power plants and the Power Boards.

The West Coast Electric Power Board, Greymouth, (1978). Softback. 60 pages. SECONDHAND

A good impressionistic account of a South Westland tour, a crossing of the Hasst Pass and the Matukituki, including a chapter on Captain Head's ascent of Mount Aspiring. Second edition 1916.

Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd., Christchurch, 1916. Hardback, no dust jacket. 219 pages, 48 plates and 2 maps. SECONDHAND

A concise regional history of the Haast from the remote early days of exploration and prospecting to the road builders and the engineering triumph of the road through the Haast Pass.

A.H. and A. W. Reed, Wellington, 1966. Hardback with dust jacket. 116 pages. SECONDHAND

A submission recommending that logging of state forests south of the Cook river, Westland should be halted. Maps.

Dept. of Conservation, Wellington, 1998. Softback. 87 pages. SECONDHAND

Tells the story of a remote area of South Westland and the settlement of Okuru. The Buchanan family struggle for survival after their move to Okuru in 1931.

Myra Fulton, Takaka, 2004. Softback. 320 pages. SECONDHAND

A lively and illustrated account of the author's experience of the annual muster of Hereford cattle run by the legendary David Gunn of the Holyford.

hodder and Stoughton Ltd., London, 1966. Hardback with dust jacket. 127 pages. SECONDHAND

A lively and personal narrative of pioneering settlement in remote South Westland, just north of Milford Sound. The author's father took his family to settle at Martins Bay in 1874 and she succeeds in conveying the reality of pioneering. Here is a story of hardship and endurance quite outside modern experience. First published in 1947. Dust jacket is rubbed and has tears and chips.

Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd., Christchurch, 1952. Hardback with dust jacket. 129 pages. SECONDHAND

A lively and personal narrative of pioneering settlement in remote South Westland, just north of Milford Sound. The author's father took his family to settle at Martins Bay in 1874 and she succeeds in conveying the reality of pioneering. Here is a story of hardship and endurance quite outside modern experience. First published in 1947. This is the revised third edition.

Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd., Christchurch, 1970. Hardback with dust jacket. 129 pages. SECONDHAND

Into the heart of the Waiatoto valley in the Haast district of South Westland, where the men and women pioneers, musterers, hunters and pilots have few peers for isolation, rugged geography and atrocious weather.

Longacre Press, Dunedin, 2009. Softback. 192 pages. SECONDHAND

Introduces the Maori and European history of the Haast district in South Westland, and shares the life stories of nine people who grew up there in the first half of the twentieth century. Illustrated.

University of Otago Press, Dunedin, 2001. Softback. 152 pages. SECONDHAND

An account of the creation of the road through the Haast Pass in South Westland. Includes Ministry of Works and Cummings Earthmoving participation. Illustrated with some photographs.

David Grantham, Waikanae, 2011. Softback with no dust jacket. 182 Pages. SECONDHAND

Lists the sawmills worked between Okarito and Jackson Bay, and gives a background history of milling on the Coast.

NZ Forest Service, Hokitika, 1986. Comb bound softback. 58 pages. SECONDHAND

A chronological account of the timber industry through the eyes of contemporary newspaper reporters, notably from the Grey River Argus. Includes information on the impact the world war and Depression had, as well as photographs.

NZ Forest Service, Hokitika, 1985. Comb bound softback. 106 pages. SECONDHAND

A survey of the sawmills of the Grey and Westland Counties. With history of the site, firms working and machinery used. Maps and photographs.

NZ Forest Service, Holitika, 1980. Mimeographed sheets staple bound. 157 pages. SECONDHAND

A history of Seaview Hospital, Hokitika and West Coast Mental Health Services 1872-1997. The staff, the buildings, the patients and the policies.

Seaview Hospital 125th Jubilee Committee, Hokitika, 1997. Softback. 128 pages. SECONDHAND

Omnibus edition combines 3 previously separate volumes. Historical and personal memories by various women from the Buller, Grey, Westland and South Westland area. Includes an index.

Westland Branch, National Council of Women, Greymouth, 1998. Softback. 352 pages. SECONDHAND

Tales of the pioneering days and families of Kokatahi and Kowhitirangi, dairy-farming districts south east of Hokitika. More details are given for the post 1935 years, including pen portraits of notables.

Helen Staniland, Nelson, 2011. Softback. 150 pages. SECONDHAND