About
the park.
Westland Industrial Heritage Park is a working museum with a variety of exhibitions, experiences and ongoing projects on offer. The Park is 100% run by a team of dedicated volunteers, who are passionate restoring Westland's industrial past to running condition for public display. The result is a vibrant and dynamic family tourist attraction, situated in Hokitika.
The WIHP was established in 1999 following the demise of the Westland Farm and Vintage Machinery Club that operated in the 1980s. The Westland District Council made the current site of the Park within the Hokitika Aerodrome Reserve available to house both Council historic assets originally collected by the Westland County, plus a number of items from the Hokitika Museum and the Farm and Vintage Machinery Club.
Since then, the Park has evolved to become a bustling heritage centre with exhibitions covering Big Engines, a Livery, Fire Museum, Creative Heritage Hub, Tracks and Wheels, a thriving Bush Railway, and an outdoor recreation experience.
The park’s vision
for the future
The purpose of Westland Industrial Heritage Park is to protect, teach, preserve and research the industrial heritage of Westland. We aim to provide a quality visitor experience where people can visit and learn, including a diverse range of exhibitions, attractions and social opportunities for the benefit of the park and our community. We intend to continue to grow, adding exhibitions and experiences along the way, building stronger links between the Park and the Westland community for the benefit of our members and our district.
There are several ways you can be involved with the Park, no matter where in the world you are based, and no matter what skills you have. Find out how you can volunteer, become a member, become a supporter or donate.
How to get involved
A miniature railway for the kids to ride through our biodiversity area, a heavy machinery display featuring sound and lights, historical items from Westland’s industrial past, and much more. Find out what’s on offer at Westland Industrial Heritage Park.