Since the 1969 election, the number of electorates in the South Island was fixed at 25, with continued faster population growth in the North Island leading to an increase in the number of general electorates.
[2] Together with increased urbanisation in Christchurch and Nelson, the changes proved very disruptive to existing electorates.
[5] Population centres of the original West Coast electorate were Haast, Whataroa, Hari Hari, Ross, Hokitika, Kumara, Greymouth, Moana, Punakaiki, Reefton, Inangahua, Westport, and Karamea.
Due to the electorate being home to Blackball, the birthplace of the Labour Party, there was surprise at National's victory in 1990.
Labour leader Mike Moore referred to the electorate as "Jerusalem" and was determined to recapture it.