Business case studies

For Vaughn and his young family, the decision to swap city living in Hamilton for a new life on the West Coast was all about balance — family, lifestyle, and doing work that matters.

When Jackie Lee and Nate Christy stumbled across a West Coast orchard listed on Trade Me, they weren’t exactly looking to uproot their lives—but the opportunity proved too good to pass up.

When Phoebe Walker swapped the classroom for a coastal flower field, she found a way to keep her creativity blooming—while building a lifestyle that works for her family.

For Kelly Lee and Ash Baillie, the move from corporate life in Scotland to running a small-batch coffee roasting business in Greymouth wasn’t just a career change—it was a homecoming, and the start of a long-held dream.

For Matt and Tammy Newton, a shift from Taranaki to the West Coast marked the beginning of a new chapter—not just for their family, but for their business, Precision Helicopters.

Beauty therapist discovers a new sense of community and business growth on the West Coast.

New Zealand pop and country artist Jody Direen has found a home and new business opportunities on the West Coast.

Dave and Lisa the pair behind Te Aka Treehouse in Nelson Creek on the South Island’s West Coast, their passion became a project and then a reality after being inspired to build a treehouse from seeing different treehouse projects around the world.

A former army chef says his passion for West Coast ingredients has inspired him to open a food cart overlooking Cobden Beach.

Linda Grace and her wife Penny relocated from Picton to Barrytown, where they have set up two new businesses.

Two years ago, Ely Stuart decided to leave behind the hustle and bustle of Queenstown and return to the West Coast.

Bruno Kowalczewski is as busy as he wants to be on the Coast, proving that there are plenty of opportunities for all sorts of skills.

Kate's story is one of adventure, self-discovery, and ultimately, entrepreneurship. Originally from rural Dorset in southwest England, Kate took a career break in her mid-twenties and embarked on a journey that would lead her to the West Coast of New Zealand.

Meet Claire, a woman who found her paradise on the West Coast of New Zealand. Claire is the proud owner of Drifting Sands, a beautiful beachfront property in Hokitika.

Caroline, the owner of Ginger Rose, shares her experience of starting a small business on the West Coast and the overwhelming support from the local community.

Chakkapong and Rujira visited Hokitika on a road trip in 2018 and fell in love with the town. They are now adding to the West Coast food scene with their restaurant Korath Thai Cuisine.

Your Farm, a new boutique milk business, is helping bring the clink of glass bottles back to the West Coast and has plans to make other local produce available to the community direct from the farm as well.

Emily Miazga is an expat Canadian and former clinical dietitian who is now living in Westport running her own business - Em’s Power Cookies.

The West Coast has a rich history of attracting innovative people, and the New Zealand Institute for Minerals to Materials Research is continuing to draw trail-blazers here.

From making games for global entertainment companies to supporting the COVID-19 economic recovery, a lot is happening in the sunny West Coast town of Kawatiri Westport.

Reefton is attracting a new generation of residents and entrepreneurs with a wealth of business ideas.

Cindy and Gavin left Auckland and have built a life and a successful tourism venture in Hokitika.

Andy and Jolene have swapped high-pressure Government jobs for the Coast life.

Andrea has built a soap empire from the comfort of her lifestyle block in Hokitika.

Patsy Bass from Reefton Distilling Co. discusses starting a business and living on the West Coast.

Joseph went from running a successful sandwich shop in Denver to setting up shop in Hokitika.

The West Coast has always attracted pioneering people – from Māori trading pounamu to those who flocked here during the goldrush days.

From Israel to Westport, Anat and Rami Edwy have found their home and inspiration on the West Coast.

Advances in digital technologies and an inspiring backyard are making the West Coast a hub for creative artisans.