Off the Top of My Head 

By Paul Murray 

The idyllic rural community of Karamea in the Buller District at the the top of the West Coast, is possibly the most remote on Mainland New Zealand in terms of its proximity to another town. Westport (Pop.6,000), the Capital of the Buller, is well over an hour’s drive away.

Recent media about Karamea and discussions of upcoming local events have highlighted the critical role tourism plays in supporting our region’s businesses and services. Remote towns like Karamea face unique challenges that set them apart from more populated areas, and the services they offer rely on a lifeline from visitors to their region.  

In New Zealand, many small towns, just like Karamea, hinge economic survival on their environmental assets, natural beauty, and outdoor attractions. These places, blessed with breathtaking landscapes, depend on the success of their communities to harness and promote their natural resources while simultaneously preserving the quality of life, privacy, and well-being of their residents.  

Karamea is no different, and tourism is the linchpin holding our community together. Travellers are drawn to Karamea to explore our iconic semi-tropical rainforests, the enchanting Kahurangi National Park, and the awe-inspiring Ōpārara Basin, along with our many other attractions. They come here to partake in outdoor activities and soak in our tranquil environment, briefly immersing themselves in our high quality of life.  

While our history has seen us relying on extractive industries like forestry and mining, the present and future place greater emphasis on environmental stewardship rather than exploitation. Climate change is often in the limelight, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle. Now, the spotlight is on personal wellness, reduced reliance on exploitation, and a stronger connection to nature. Sustainability and regeneration of our natural environment and resources are paramount. The Karamea Community Plan powerfully underscored how vital our natural environment is to our community and how much we treasure our unique wonderland.  

Our road access and maintenance depend on usage, and while the dairy industry plays an important role, tourism is equally vital. Access to our region hinges on having industries like agriculture and tourism, one producing marketable products locally and the other bringing income into the community through the money spent by visitors. Our population alone cannot justify essential services like the fuel station and supermarket, or nice-to-have businesses such as cafes, restaurants, and bars. The tourism and agricultural sectors are necessary to support local businesses and the services and facilities we, as residents, hold dear.  

The tourism industry is the lifeblood of Karamea, diversifying our local economy, creating job opportunities, and keeping people employed in roles that cater to our visitors. By carefully managing, developing, and preserving our natural assets, we can chart a path toward prosperity that benefits the businesses that form the backbone of our community and provide the essential services and facilities we all rely on.  

So, thank you to Juliette and Jason and their crew for providing such an excellent supermarket, thanks Vinnie for your fabulous café and delicious food and beverages, and thank you to the medical staff who do an incredible job of keeping our community healthy. Thank you to the Karamea Village and Little Wanganui pubs and the Last Resort, thanks to Tony and Sandy at Karamea Hardware for the amazing array of products you stock, thank you to Lena for keeping us all trim and tidy, the Information Centre for the fuel service, farm supplies, books and gifts, to Tony and Fifi for the refillery, to Rebecca at the Co-Op, the Higgs family and Karamea Tomatoes for freight and transport services, the magnificent Karamea Area School staff and teachers, Lee and Stu looking after our amazing Karamea Pulse Energy Centre. and our policeman, Alan Kees, thanks for keeping the peace. To the volunteers, fire, ambulance, sports coaches. fund raisers, quiz and raffle organisers, art exhibition helpers, winter-school teachers, the dedicated market stallers, youth group mentors, radio station DJs,…all the people who make our community fabulous.

Thanks also to Jessie Creedmore for working tirelessly to improve our lot and to Sanae Murray and the Pop-Up Gallery team for the fantastic exhibitions, the teachers and staff at Karamea Area School, the volunteers who run the tremendous Karamea Library and Museum, the swimming pool committee, golf club, helicopter services, airport management and the many other people working behind the scenes to keep Karamea awesome. However, it’s essential to remember that many of these services and facilities owe their viability to the support of tourism and the visitors who come to our region. In the delicate balance of sustaining our community, tourism is the indispensable partner.