Kumara, New Zealand

Kumara is a town on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is located south of Greymouth, close to the western end of State Highway 73, which leads across Arthur's Pass to Christchurch. The Taramakau River flows past to the north.The population was 309 in the 2013 Census, a decrease of 6 from 2006.The name may come from the Māori language Kohe mara, which is the blossom of the tātarāmoa, or bush lawyer.The Coast to Coast annual multisport race starts at Kumara Beach.HistoryKumara was founded and became one of the country's chief gold mining centres following the discovery of gold at Dillmanstown, about 2mi to the south-east, in 1876. The tramline from Greymouth to Paroa was extended to Kumara the following year. The population was 4,220 in October 1877. The town became a borough in 1877. Kumara Hospital was operating by 1881 and continued into the twentieth century. In 1882, the Kumara volunteer fire brigade was formed.Kumara was the home town of prominent politician Richard Seddon, who was elected mayor of the town in 1877, and served as Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1893 until his death in 1906.