Haast residents are lobbying the Government to bring cellphone reception to the area faster than scheduled.

The West Coast settlement isn't expected to have mobile coverage until 2022, and Westland Mayor Bruce Smith said it's not good enough.

There is currently a 244 kilometre black spot from Lake Hawea to Fox Glacier.

Locals say getting medical attention for those injured in road accidents is tough when you can't call an ambulance.

Police and local businesses also say they can't afford to wait for four more years.

Westland District Mayor Bruce Smith told Nadine Higgins reception is critical for towns like Haast to thrive.

"It's got the St John, it''s got civil defence, it's got police, all the services are there and you can't pick up a cell phone. It's bizarre."

He said crashes happen on a daily basis, and people have to travel up to an hour-and-a-half to get phone reception.

"There are a number of deaths that occur on our roads, probably 1 million tourists coming visiting each year, Haast's just absolutely critical," he told Newstalk ZB earlier.

He said extending coverage to Haast should be a top priority.

"There is an accident at least every day between Hokitika and Haast. Someone has got to drive an hour or and hour-and-a-half to get cellphone reception."

Haast Bed & Breakfast owner Neroli Nolan said communication infrastructure projects in the region need to be brought forward.

"People cannot believe that we don't have mobile coverage here. I've been in remote parts of Asia and there's mobile coverage everywhere."

LISTEN TO BRUCE SMITH TALK TO NADINE HIGGINS ABOVE