Runanga, New Zealand
Town in the South Island of New Zealand / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Runanga, New Zealand?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
Runanga is a small town on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is located eight kilometres to the northeast of Greymouth, to the north of the Grey River. Barrytown is 21 kilometres (13 mi) further north. State Highway 6 and the Rapahoe Branch railway run through the town.[3][4] Runanga was formerly a railway junction, with the steep Rewanui Branch diverging from the Rapahoe line until closure in 1985.
Runanga | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 42°24′2″S 171°15′5″E | |
Country | New Zealand |
Region | West Coast |
District | Grey District |
Ward | Northern |
Electorates | |
Government | |
• Territorial authority | Grey District Council |
• Regional council | West Coast Regional Council |
• Mayor of Grey | Tania Gibson |
• West Coast-Tasman MP | Maureen Pugh |
• Te Tai Tonga MP | Tākuta Ferris |
Area | |
• Total | 4.51 km2 (1.74 sq mi) |
Population (June 2023)[2] | |
• Total | 1,230 |
• Density | 270/km2 (710/sq mi) |
Local iwi | Ngāi Tahu |
The town's origins can be traced back to European colonisation in the late 19th century, when large numbers of settlers came to work the local coal fields. The town's name is Māori for "meeting place".[5] Coal mining is still the main employer of the town.