Westland Tai Poutini National Park was established in 1960. It covers an area of nearly 130,000 ha that ranges from high mountainous terrain in the Southern Alps to remote shoreline of the west coast.
The park is famous for its diverse landscapes. Along the Tasman Sea, the park has a rich and dense rainforest that surrounds freshwater lakes, rivers and wetlands. Altitude rises quickly and turns the coastal lagoons into drier tussock lands, snow fields and glaciated mountain tops.
It is the National Park of strong and constant glacial power. Ancient ice sheets are still shaping the landscape today by moving debris and carving deep into the valleys. The meltwater creates many waterways and is fundamental for a rich and contrasting coastal vegetation. The area is originally home to the people of the iwi (tribe) Ngāi Tahu, who appreciate Westland Tai Poutini for its resources and spiritual value.