Haast, West Coast Map

About Haast, West Coast

Haast is a locality in the West Coast Region of New Zealand. It is a small community with a population of 279. It sits at an elevation of around 22 m above sea level. It lies approximately 235 km south-west of Greymouth, the regional capital. Haast is located at 43.8833°S, 169.0500°E. It observes New Zealand Time (NZST/NZDT). Statistics New Zealand classifies the area as a rural settlement.

Haast sits in a landscape where the land and water wrestle for dominance, a place where the dense, emerald blanket of native bush spills down towards the wide, grey sweep of the Haast River. It lies 184.9 km west-north-west of Timaru (from Timaru: bearing 287°T), and is situated 91.2 km north of Wanaka. The air here carries the damp, earthy scent of the ngahere, punctuated by the briny tang that drifts inland from the coast, a constant reminder of the proximity to the Tasman Sea, though the direct reach of Jackson Bay/Okahu is a considerable distance south. Rolling hills, cloaked in a rich tapestry of green, rise behind the settlement, their slopes often softened by mist that clings to the higher reaches, hinting at the formidable Marks Range that lies to the east. The Tawharekiri Lakes, a quiet mirror to the sky, lie a short distance away, their still waters a stark contrast to the powerful flow of the Haast River as it carves its path towards the sea, carrying with it the sediment and stories of the hinterland.

This is a place shaped by the raw, untamed forces of nature, a history etched into the very land by the pioneers who dared to settle here. The economy of Haast has long been tied to the bounty of the sea and the earth; fishing fleets, though smaller now than in days past, still venture out, their catches a vital contribution. Forestry, too, has played its part, the dense bush yielding timber for building and industry, while the fertile plains offer opportunities for farming. Tourism has become increasingly significant, drawing travellers eager to experience the wild beauty, to walk the Haast Paringa Track or marvel at the glacial grandeur of Lindsay Glacier and the dramatic plunge of Strata Falls. The spirit of Haast is one of resilience, a quiet determination to thrive in a challenging yet profoundly beautiful corner of the country, a place where the rhythm of life is dictated by the changing seasons and the enduring power of the natural world.

About This Haast Map Page

This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Haast, West Coast, New Zealand — switch between views using the small square in the bottom left-hand corner of the map. Coordinates: -43.88333, 169.05. Live weather conditions with current observations and a 7-day forecast are powered by Open-Meteo. Real-time New Zealand and world news feeds keep the page current, while an editorial description provides background on Haast.

Haast sits within the West Coast Region. Location data is drawn from the GeoNames geographical database and verified by coordinates, ensuring the correct Haast is identified even where the name is shared across multiple New Zealand localities.