Nestled between the Tasman Sea and Southern Alps, Te Tai Poutini is a place blessed with natural beauty and an abundance of breath-taking sights.
Among the most renown taonga (treasures) in this catchment are Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere (Franz Josef Glacier), Te Moeka o Tuawe (Fox Glacier) and Arahura River, each with a history as captivating as its scenery.
The region’s name, Te Tai Poutini, is inspired by the legend of Poutini – the kaitiaki (guardian) of pounamu (greenstone). It is said that the taniwha (water spirit) swims up and down the West Coast of the South Island protecting both the people and mauri (life force) of pounamu.
While we can’t promise an encounter with a taniwha during your visit, we can assure you that imagery you’ve seen don’t do our taonga justice. Come experience the magic for yourself.
By clicking on the red icons in the map above, you can see the exact location of each Māori experience listed within this region.
You are also able to get directions to each experience by clicking ‘Get Directions’ after selecting a Māori experience on the map.
Major Cities & Towns
Greymouth, Westport, Hokitika, Runanga, Reefton, Dobson, Fox Glacier, Franz Josef, Karamea, Carters Beach.