Stockton is a former settlement in the northwestern
South Island
The South Island ( , 'the waters of Pounamu, Greenstone') is the largest of the three major islands of New Zealand by surface area, the others being the smaller but more populous North Island and Stewart Island. It is bordered to the north by ...
of
New Zealand
New Zealand () is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and List of islands of New Zealand, over 600 smaller islands. It is the List of isla ...
in the
West Coast region
The West Coast () is a region of New Zealand on the west coast of the South Island. It is administered by the West Coast Regional Council, and is known co-officially as Te Tai Poutini. It comprises the territorial authorities of Buller Distri ...
. It is located in the
Papahaua Ranges about 30 kilometres linear distance north east from
Westport.
Stockton is best known for the
Stockton Mine
Stockton Mine, on the Stockton Coal Field, is New Zealand's largest opencast mining operation. The entrance to the mine is at the former settlement of Stockton.
Extent
The coal field is situated between 5 and 10 kilometres linear distance ...
operated by
Solid Energy
Solid Energy was the largest coal mining company in New Zealand and is a state owned enterprise of the New Zealand Government.
The company was formed from the former government department State Coal Mines. It was then established as a state ow ...
. This mine had the first electric railway in New Zealand, from 1908 to 1953, when it was replaced by an aerial cableway.
References
External links
Solid Energy- Stockton mine page
{{Buller District
Buller District
Mining communities in New Zealand
Ghost towns in the West Coast Region