Ruatapu is a small town in the Westland District in the West Coast region of the South Island of New Zealand.
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.
[2] Joseph Butler bought 28,000 acres (11,000 ha) of rimu, matai and kahikatea bush, between Ruatapu and Ross, for £28,000 in 1907.
[3] A large storm in October 1915 ripped the roof off the sawmill, demolished a hut, and shifted another house from its foundations.
[3] 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.