Editing West Coast Region (section)

== Flora and fauna ==
The region has the only New Zealand nesting place of the [[eastern great egret|kōtuku (white heron)]], at the [[Waitangiroto Nature Reserve]], visited by tours from the small farming township of [[Whataroa]]. This rare bird appears on the $2 coin.<ref>[http://www.rbnz.govt.nz/currency/money/0101459.html New Zealand Coinage Specifications] (from the [[Reserve Bank of New Zealand]] website. Accessed 2008-03-26.)</ref>

Over 80% of West Coast land is administered by the Department of Conservation, much of this being in National Parks.  These include from north to south, parts of Kahurangi NP, Paparoa NP, parts of Arthurs Pass NP, Westland NP, parts of Aspiring NP plus the South Westland World Heritage Area.  Each of these parks have flora and fauna common to all areas, as well as species, like kiwi, particular to those areas.