For the Coast, accepting refugees could be a win-win, because the region would gain from the extra Government resources needed to support them.
Asked whether refugees might take jobs already in short supply, Mr O'Connor said very few refugees would be work ready.
"But over time we hope we can find positions for them. Two hundred people is a relatively small number.
"But what these people would do, in coming to our region, is provide opportunity through support systems - through education that will be required, and numbers in the schools would be increased as well."
Refugees would also help Coasters appreciate what they had and identify opportunities, he said.
He did not see the Coast as merely a transit point for refugees looking to settle in New Zealand.
"I have no doubt that those people will, as many people do, fall in love with the Coast and stay on."
The Coast was already home to more than 40 different nationalities, Mr O'Connor said. Immigrants were working in many Coast industries, including agriculture, tourism and mining.
He is writing to the three Coast mayors, seeking their support.
Buller Mayor Garry Howard said the plight of the refugees was "quite horrifying" and he did not oppose the Coast offering to take some. But the right services had to be in place first, he said.
Westland Mayor Mike Havill agreed. He said good intentions weren't enough.
"It's very well people getting placed but if they spend the rest of their lives feeling displaced that's not very good. They need to be able to integrate within a community and I think that's where the work's got to go."
Many of the Government agencies providing such support were downsizing on the Coast, Mr Havill said.
"So who picks that up? Who's going to run the training programmes leading to employment? Who's going to provide the housing?"
He acknowledged refugees coming to the Coast could result in more Government funding for the region, but said he wanted to see what was proposed first.
Grey Mayor Tony Kokshoorn said New Zealand should increase its refugee intake and the Coast should be doing its bit.
"This is part of the caring society and the good reputation the Coast has, as a friendly place. If we can help these people, albeit a temporary thing, let's get in behind and see what we can do."
Government support for the refugees would boost the Coast's economy, Mr Kokshoorn said.
He wasn't worried about refugees finding jobs here. Jobs followed people, he said.
"If you had a greater population here on the West Coast you'll have more demand for goods and services which will, in turn, employ more people."
"That's been the problem here on the West Coast for a long time - we've had a forever decreasing population and when you have a decreasing population we export our kids."
Economic benefit would not be the only advantage to the Coast.
"Let's face it, if we can help people that have been forced out of their countries through sheer violence it would make us feel better and I think we'd be a better place for it."
Mr Kokshoorn doubts the region would be asked to take 200 refugees, but said it could accommodate that many.
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