| Ruatapu | |
| Population As Of: | 2006 |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | New Zealand |
| Subdivision Type1: | Region |
| Subdivision Name1: | West Coast |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Westland District |
| Seat Type: | Electorates |
| Seat: | West Coast-Tasman Te Tai Tonga |
| Timezone: | NZST |
| Utc Offset: | +12 |
| Timezone Dst: | NZDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | +13 |
| Postal Code Type: | Postcode |
| Postal Code: | 7883 |
| Area Code: | 03 |
| Pushpin Map: | New Zealand West Coast |
| Coordinates: | -42.8058°N 170.8889°W |
| Blank Name: | Local iwi |
| Blank Info: | Ngāi Tahu |
Ruatapu is a small town in the Westland District in the West Coast region of the South Island of New Zealand. The town's name stems from Ruatapu, a figure in Māori mythology. The town is located on a narrow strip of land between the Tasman Sea and Lake Mahinapua, a shallow lake that was originally a coastal lagoon. runs through Ruatapu, connecting it to the nearby towns of Hokitika and Ross. The town's economy is based upon agriculture, as well as a large sawmill, operated by Westco Lagan, which mills Radiata Pine for further processing in Christchurch.[1]
On 9 November 1906, the Midland railway line, running from Greymouth to Hokitika, extended a branch line to Ruatapu. Ruatapu acted as the terminus of the railway until 1 April 1909, when it was opened to Ross, and became known as the Ross Branch. Passenger services ceased on 9 October 1972 and the line closed to all traffic on 24 November 1980. Some of the track bed near Ruatapu can now be driven.[2]
Joseph Butler bought 28000acres of rimu, matai and kahikatea bush, between Ruatapu and Ross, for £28,000 in 1907. With his brother William, he formed Butler Brothers Ltd, with the Kauri Timber Co as a major shareholder. A large steam-powered sawmill worked from 1911.[3] A large storm in October 1915 ripped the roof off the sawmill, demolished a hut, and shifted another house from its foundations.[4] An electric-powered mill was built in 1955 after the original had burnt down in 1952 and was rebuilt again after another fire in the early 1980s.
Fletcher Holdings took over the mill in 1961, sold it to Henderson & Pollard Ltd in 1979 and they became part of Carter Holt Harvey in 1987. In 1988 the mill was sold to Westco Lagan Ltd.
Tramways ran up to 20km (10miles) south from the mill until replaced by logging trucks in 1960.