Westport has been going through a difficult time lately, with the closure of the Holcim cement plant that for decades shipped its products to Onehunga Wharf in Auckland, the closure of the local Dunsford Ward rest home and hospital, and the downsizing of mining operations at nearby Stockton. But that didn't prepare me for the onslaught of for sale notices - locals are voting with their feet. Trouble is, with this many properties Westport must be a buyer's market. In two other similarly-sized towns of just under 4000 population, the number of houses for sale is a mere handful: Balclutha has nine, while Whangamata has 11. By comparison, Westport has 91 (see below from Homes).
In a town this small that glut of properties could destabilise the regional economy. Tourism is unlikely to be the region's saviour in the short term. But the local council could take a proactive stance to encourage new blood to replace those wanting to leave. It would be a perfect destination for young families wishing to establish an online startup or mail order business, as long as the physical accessibility factor isn't an issue. It would be an ideal spot for a big city single-income family to get onto the property ladder. And if the Government is minded, new migrants fleeing the instability of the outside world could be encouraged to consider life on the Coast instead of the traditional big city. See also:
Blog: Finding Eva Morganti, 3 April 2020
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