Development West Coast

The closure of Stockton Mine could have significant consequences for Westport, Buller and the wider West Coast economy, including the loss of hundreds of jobs, a new report finds.

West Coast region’s future ‘on a knife edge’ if coal mine does not expand The closure of Bathurst’s Stockton Mine could have significant consequences for Westport, Buller and the wider West Coast economy, including the loss of hundreds of jobs, a new report says.

Development West Coast has released its Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2026, marking 25 years of investing in the West Coast and highlighting another significant year of investment and activity across the region.

To mark the milestone, DWC chair Sam MacDonald announced a new $5 million investment package for the West Coast

The one-off package includes $1 million for community projects in each of the Buller, Grey and Westland districts, an additional $1 million for the West Coast Community Trust over five years, and $1 million towards a workforce development initiative aimed at helping build the skills and workforce needed to support growth and unlock new economic opportunities across the West Coast.

DWC marks 25 years with new $5 million investment package Development West Coast (DWC) has released its Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2026, marking 25 years of investing in the West Coast and highlighting another significant year of investment and activity across the region.

𝐖𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐋𝐲𝐧𝐝𝐚, 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐙𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝, 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭!

As the leading voice for inbound tourism operators in New Zealand, Lynda works closely with industry, government, and international partners to strengthen the country's visitor economy and support export-ready tourism businesses. At the hui, she'll share the latest international market insights and forecasts.

Lynda will also lead the TECNZ Inbound Panel: Forecasts & Insights, hearing from international tourism sector ITOs who promote, brochure, and include the West Coast on NZ itineraries, with discussion on the challenges, barriers, and opportunities facing West Coast tourism businesses.

Analysis from Infometrics looks at what the potential closure of Stockton Mine could mean for Westport, Buller and the wider West Coast.

We encourage people to read the report and understand the findings for themselves 👇

Independent report highlights potential impacts of Stockton Mine closure An independent economic assessment has found the closure of Bathurst’s Stockton Mine could have significant consequences for Westport, Buller and the wider West Coast economy, including the loss of hundreds of jobs and potential impacts on 11 per cent of Westport households.

𝐒𝐚𝐲 𝐤𝐢𝐚 𝐨𝐫𝐚 𝐭𝐨 𝐊𝐲𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐊𝐢𝐰𝐢, 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭!

One of New Zealand's leading storytellers and content creators, Kyle has spent more than 15 years authentically inspiring people to explore, starting with a simple idea: replace tourism brochures with short videos shared online, right as social media was taking off. He's since worked with global brands including GoPro, PADI, Ford, and Jayco, creating adventure, nature, and travel content that connects audiences with places in a genuine way.

Kyle will be presenting on Supercharging Storytelling Through Content Creation, exploring how technology, creativity, and authentic human connection can help tourism businesses reach new audiences and inspire future visitors.

𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗞𝗶𝘄𝗶 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁
“We are living the dream, literally living the Kiwi dream … Got a massive garden, got fruit trees and all that sort of jazz. Big back area for the dogs and the kids, and they’ve got a giant fort to climb, trampoline, all that sort of stuff.”


🏔️🌿🌊

______
Mister Chops Westport Enterprise Network Westport, NZ

‘A piece of paradise’: The area with $300k houses that can buy you a very different life And the $200-a-week mortgage that allowed this chef to set up his own business.

𝐖𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐬 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬

Duncan Cotterill is one of New Zealand's leading law firms, with offices in Auckland, Wellington, Blenheim, Nelson, Christchurch and Queenstown. As a full-service firm, they are among the largest legal service providers in the South Island. Their enterprising spirit underpins strong relationships with West Coasters, including individuals, small businesses and large organisations. Their clients understand the value of aligning with like-minded partners.

Duncan Cotterill shares a commitment to resourcefulness and relationship-building, which supports their clients' success. 'Enterprising' is one of the firm's core values, and they are proud to sponsor the Large Enterprise Award. This award recognises West Coast businesses that demonstrate innovation, leadership within and beyond their organisations, and a clear, forward-looking vision.

𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐩!

Rush returned to New Zealand to work with Tourism New Zealand on the country's recovery and growth, leading the strategy and evolution of TNZ's consumer and trade customer experience. He is also currently driving the adoption of AI across TNZ's Global Marketing division.

Rush will be presenting on Discover What's Next for New Zealand Tourism, offering an exclusive look at TNZ's FY27 strategic priorities and how travellers are using AI to research and plan their NZ holidays.