The Punakaiki Progressive Association (PPA) is a bunch of locals from around the wider area who get together to do things for the good of our community. This ranges from running social activities so people can connect with each other, through to working bees to keep pests and weeds at bay and fundraising to support community initiatives.
We’ve listed information about current services/initiatives in the area which may be of use for current residents and for anyone who might be pondering Punakaiki as a place to live.
Education
Barrytown School is 16km south of Punakaiki. There’s a school bus which picks up in Punakaiki each morning and drops off in the afternoon.
There is a bus for secondary students who go to school in Greymouth secondary schools. This also picks up and drops off in Punakaiki and along the Coast Rd each day.
Emergency management
There are volunteer Emergency Management groups in Punakaiki, Fox River, Charleston and Barrytown. Each has a plan for what do should there be an AF8 (magnitude 8 earthquake on the Alpine Fault) or other natural disaster. New volunteers welcome.
Groceries and fuel
The nearest supermarkets, service stations and shops are at Westport and Greymouth. From Labour Weekend through to Easter the Fox River Market runs every Sunday with stalls which include locally grown fruit and vegetables and different food and coffee options. In winter there’s a market at Charleston Hall once a month on a Sunday. Barrytown has a monthly market on Saturdays.
Medical
There are medical, dental, physiotherapy and optometry services in Westport (55km to north).
Te Nikau Regional Hospital in Greymouth (46km to south) has an Emergency Department and there are other medical, dental, physiotherapy and optometry services in the town as well.
Penguin fence
Kororā/little blue penguins are present on many beaches. In the past the coastal stretch of highway from Fox River to Meybille Bay had a very high rate of penguin deaths.
The West Coast Penguin Trust and local supporters put in penguin fences there, and Punakaiki south, which has made a huge difference.
Working bees are held occasionally for maintenance or if a section of fence has been damaged and needs urgent repair.
Petrel patrol
The only breeding ground of the Westland petrel (tāiko) is just south of Punakaiki. Fledglings leave the colony from mid-November to mid-January. Street lights and traffic lights can confuse them when they take their first flight so some end up stranded on the ground in danger from cars and dogs. Local volunteers patrol the area from Punakaiki to the colony every night during the time the fledglings are leaving to rescue those grounded.
Predator free initiatives
Many locals have rodent and possum traps around their homes. In addition, there are traplines maintained by volunteers in the Truman Track/Hartmount Place area, Dolomite Point and Seal Island.
Rubbish and recycling
There is a weekly rubbish collection for properties from White Horse Hill through to the Punakaiki River and a fortnightly recycling collection for the same area. Buller District Council contracts Smart Environmental to provide this service.
South of the Punakaiki River recycling and rubbish collection is run by Grey District Council.
Transport
Intercity buses to Nelson and Fox Glacier stop in Punakaiki daily.
The East West Shuttle runs from Westport to Christchurch International Airport daily and picks up and drops off in Punakaiki and many other places en route.
Want to get an idea of the road conditions through Punakaiki? Check out the the NZTA Waka Kotahi traffic camera at Dolomite Point [view from Pancake Rocks side of SH6].
Water supply
Properties from Hartmount Place in Te Miko through to where SH6 rises to the Pancake Rocks can be connected to the Punakaiki water supply. This is maintained by Buller District Council.