Westland District Council Area

The total project cost will be around $323,375 and to date the Department of Conservation has invested in excess of $215,000 and the Okarito Community Association has contributed $30,000 towards this project.  Donovan’s Store is the oldest known building on the West Coast and is of local, regional and national significance.  The store is a survivor of a building type and style representative of gold-rush towns.  The project is yet to commence. 

The Theatre is a Category 2 Historic Building constructed in the 1930’s (early art deco) and is listed in the Westland District Plan Schedule for Historic Building Sites. The building is not completely original as various modifications have been made over the decades, but many original features do remain, including the art deco frontage and interior cladding of the auditorium.  As a result of its Category 2 historic building classification, the organisation has had to prepare a Conservation Plan for the Theatre to ensure it maintains its current appearance and suggests ways to repair and restore the building without losing its historic values.  Any future modifications to the building will need to be consistent with this Conservation Plan. Stage 1 of this project is complete and the theatre reopened in October 2009.

Restoration of Regent Theatre (Stage 2): $570,000
This project is the continuation of the restoration and upgrade of the Hokitika Regent Theatre as outlined in stage 1 above.

Relocation of the Visitor Information Centre: $296,952
This project has resulted in the Hokitika Visitor Information Centre and i-SITE being upgraded and relocated into the ground floor area of the Westland District Council building.  The total cost of this project was $456,850.  This location adjacent to the main entrance to Hokitika has increased use of the i-SITE and associated facilities and provides a greater level of return from commissioned sales and other activity.  The new i-SITE formally opened for business in December 2009.

Hokitika Gorge Development: $82,014
This project provided a new car park and toilet facility at the Hokitika Gorge in association with a new track facility constructed by the Department of Conservation.  The new facilities were officially opened in March 2010.