The birth of custom NZ map coasters and placemats
West Coasters was conceived over evening drinks in an old house near Outward Bound in Anakiwa, Marlborough Sounds.
Adventure race athlete and Godzone winner Dan Moore said to his bestie, Clare, as they were poring over maps planning their next mission into the hills, "What would be SO cool would be to have coasters and placemats of your favourite places. Then you can remember them every day." And so it began, and 15 years later the business is still evolving. Materials and design have improved and maps come and gone.
Adventure race athlete and Godzone winner Dan Moore said to his bestie, Clare, as they were poring over maps planning their next mission into the hills, "What would be SO cool would be to have coasters and placemats of your favourite places. Then you can remember them every day." And so it began, and 15 years later the business is still evolving. Materials and design have improved and maps come and gone.
The captain at the West Coaster's helm
Long-term friend and mat-maker, Odette, captains the helm, working from her sunny caravan just south of Motueka. She is surrounded by hundreds of maps - the maps West Coasters upcycle are old and used. Think 1970s and '80s, inch to the mile, 1:50,000s, 1:250,000s topographical maps and the old National Park and State Forest maps. Think Lands and Survey days, NZMS 260 series maps - maps showing original rivers that are now lakes/dams, roads still unsealed and glaciers mapped in their more advanced states. Original AA maps, nautical charts, aviation maps, vintage, retro, and one of a kind maps. The caravan also houses brand new maps from LINZ's topographical map series Topo50. Odette also uses your maps - transform your map instead! And donate us all your old maps you won't use ever again. Every map upcycled into coasters and/or placemats are legally adapted under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence.
Happy memories of good times
Hundreds of people in New Zealand are now reminiscing about their past adventures. All over a cuppa tea or a special dinner with invited guests. Some people are groaning as they have to listen to yet another story from the good ol' days.
These unique custom map coasters and placemats invoke fun memories of good times.
Did your family always spend the summer holidays at a certain beach or holiday bach? Do you have special memories from hiking one of NZ's tracks in our wonderful national parks or a certain section of the Te Araroa Trail? Or do you ever wonder what to do with all your old maps that are presently hidden away in a box? Do you have an old map sitting in your bach collecting dust? Bring your special maps or special memories alive by converting your maps into map coasters and/or placemats. Relive those happy days and share your old stories over a beer or wine every time you use your custom map coasters and placemats. They make AWESOME personalised NZ gifts for friends and family too. Gift vouchers are also available.
These unique custom map coasters and placemats invoke fun memories of good times.
Did your family always spend the summer holidays at a certain beach or holiday bach? Do you have special memories from hiking one of NZ's tracks in our wonderful national parks or a certain section of the Te Araroa Trail? Or do you ever wonder what to do with all your old maps that are presently hidden away in a box? Do you have an old map sitting in your bach collecting dust? Bring your special maps or special memories alive by converting your maps into map coasters and/or placemats. Relive those happy days and share your old stories over a beer or wine every time you use your custom map coasters and placemats. They make AWESOME personalised NZ gifts for friends and family too. Gift vouchers are also available.
Testimonials
West Coasters were really quick to respond to my messages, they answered all of my questions and were really friendly and helpful. Their coasters made a really special birthday present, representing the Whanganui River, a place really close to our hearts. The coasters are really beautiful and a real talking piece around our table - thanks so much for helping us out West Coasters. - Rebecca.
They (Fiordland National Park coaster and placemat set) are amazing, I love them and I know my friend will be super stoked so thank you so much. - Rosie
Thank you so much for the placemats and coaster sets. They were absolutely loved by all parties that were gifted them. Completely blown away by the thoughtfulness and effort that went into making them. I can't get over how wonderfully they turned out. They are just the best :) Very big smiles all around! - Trent
Unbelievable! Very very happy! He's just opened them and we are about to use them for his birthday dinner. So pleased! - Jenny
I got two custom sets of coasters covering areas from my latest adventures from the West Coasters. Odette contacted me quickly and mapped out the perfect areas to be covered. They are exactly what I wanted, great quality picture and coaster - I have already had fantastic feedback from friends! - Cati
I ordered two coasters with maps from Karamea and I am so so happy with them. They are beautifully made and will make such a unique and perfect gift for my brother who I share wonderful memories of holidays on the east coast. It's also an eco friendly gift and I love that. Thanks so very much Odette. - Sue
Highly recommend, amazing product, prompt and will be very much cherished, thank you ***** - Kirsten
Thanks heaps for my placemat's of my Dad's birthplace. They look amazing. - Tash
Thanks from a 'HAPPY birthday CUSTOMER!' My awesome wife surprised me with this unique present. These 4 placemats are from places that are special to us including where we got engaged! Thanks West Coasters! - James
The placemats are beautiful, and better than I could have wished for. The kids loved piecing it back together. Your 70s map matches our 70s bach perfectly. - Vaughan
We have used our placemats and coasters daily for over 13 months now and they are as good as the day we got them. They've obviously been lovingly handcrafted to a high standard and are lasting extremely well. They are durable, easy to wipe clean, can cope with the kid's spills and we love playing geography games with them. Such a good investment! - Andrew
West Coasters produces amazing quality coasters and placemats. We have purchased three sets from them over the last few years, and each time have been delighted with the end result. Our visitors can't help but try to put the maps together and conversations always flows about them. We wouldn't (and don't) hesitate to recommend them to others. - Katherine
We love our coasters and placemats. Each time we use them it reminds us of a different tramp we have done and inspires us to do more. - The Brown family
Highly recommend. Excellent service and product. Purchased a set of both placemats and coasters for the old man - prominent points on the Dusky Track. It's now one of his prized possessions. Every time we have a drink or meal a map comes out and a chance to tell another story. Highly recommend. I'll be getting some sets for myself too! - Eamonn
Absolutely fantastic coasters and placemats of the area on West Coast where my dad grew up. He loved them! Immediately started pointing out individual houses (glad we did the key on a coaster!) and telling stories of who lived there. Pointed out the river track where his father and grandfather moved cattle before the days of trucks, and where they used to go to the lakes and even where the school bus route went! Such a great investment for our family history - not just a cool Father's Day present. Fantastic service and correspondence with West Coasters. Highly recommend!! - Andrea
They (Fiordland National Park coaster and placemat set) are amazing, I love them and I know my friend will be super stoked so thank you so much. - Rosie
Thank you so much for the placemats and coaster sets. They were absolutely loved by all parties that were gifted them. Completely blown away by the thoughtfulness and effort that went into making them. I can't get over how wonderfully they turned out. They are just the best :) Very big smiles all around! - Trent
Unbelievable! Very very happy! He's just opened them and we are about to use them for his birthday dinner. So pleased! - Jenny
I got two custom sets of coasters covering areas from my latest adventures from the West Coasters. Odette contacted me quickly and mapped out the perfect areas to be covered. They are exactly what I wanted, great quality picture and coaster - I have already had fantastic feedback from friends! - Cati
I ordered two coasters with maps from Karamea and I am so so happy with them. They are beautifully made and will make such a unique and perfect gift for my brother who I share wonderful memories of holidays on the east coast. It's also an eco friendly gift and I love that. Thanks so very much Odette. - Sue
Highly recommend, amazing product, prompt and will be very much cherished, thank you ***** - Kirsten
Thanks heaps for my placemat's of my Dad's birthplace. They look amazing. - Tash
Thanks from a 'HAPPY birthday CUSTOMER!' My awesome wife surprised me with this unique present. These 4 placemats are from places that are special to us including where we got engaged! Thanks West Coasters! - James
The placemats are beautiful, and better than I could have wished for. The kids loved piecing it back together. Your 70s map matches our 70s bach perfectly. - Vaughan
We have used our placemats and coasters daily for over 13 months now and they are as good as the day we got them. They've obviously been lovingly handcrafted to a high standard and are lasting extremely well. They are durable, easy to wipe clean, can cope with the kid's spills and we love playing geography games with them. Such a good investment! - Andrew
West Coasters produces amazing quality coasters and placemats. We have purchased three sets from them over the last few years, and each time have been delighted with the end result. Our visitors can't help but try to put the maps together and conversations always flows about them. We wouldn't (and don't) hesitate to recommend them to others. - Katherine
We love our coasters and placemats. Each time we use them it reminds us of a different tramp we have done and inspires us to do more. - The Brown family
Highly recommend. Excellent service and product. Purchased a set of both placemats and coasters for the old man - prominent points on the Dusky Track. It's now one of his prized possessions. Every time we have a drink or meal a map comes out and a chance to tell another story. Highly recommend. I'll be getting some sets for myself too! - Eamonn
Absolutely fantastic coasters and placemats of the area on West Coast where my dad grew up. He loved them! Immediately started pointing out individual houses (glad we did the key on a coaster!) and telling stories of who lived there. Pointed out the river track where his father and grandfather moved cattle before the days of trucks, and where they used to go to the lakes and even where the school bus route went! Such a great investment for our family history - not just a cool Father's Day present. Fantastic service and correspondence with West Coasters. Highly recommend!! - Andrea