Runanga

Runanga is a small town on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is located ten kilometres to the northwest of Greymouth, to the north of the Grey River. Barrytown is 21 kilometres further north. State Highway 6 runs through the town. The population of Runanga and its surrounds, including the separate settlement of Rapahoe to the north-west, was 1,221 in the 2006 Census, a decrease of 84 from 2001. 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 Maori for meeting place. Coal mining is still the main employer of the town. As with most other towns, Runanga had its fair share of clubs and societies....