Runanga, New Zealand
Runanga | |
|---|---|
Carroll Street | |
| Coordinates: 42°24′2″S 171°15′5″E / 42.40056°S 171.25139°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 2024) | |
• Total | 1,200 |
| • Density | 270/km2 (690/sq mi) |
| Local iwi | Ngāi Tahu |
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. Runanga was formerly a railway junction, with the steep Rewanui Branch diverging from the Rapahoe line until closure in 1985.
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". Coal mining is still the main employer of the town.