West Coast
Reefton roads revamp kicks wheelchair accessibility to the kerb
Getting around Reefton used to be relatively easy for wheelchair-user Lisa Neil, but that changed after works on the main street and state highways.
Mayor warns Franz Josef businesses close to 'falling over'
Westland Mayor Bruce Smith has appealed to the government to release funds for flood protection work at Franz Josef Glacier before the town dies through tourism starvation.
New ghost town warning as Franz waits for flood funds
The West Coast is on the verge of gaining at least one new ghost town unless the government comes through with promised life-support for Franz Josef Glacier, a councillor for the region says.
Council investigating after rock work sabotaged
The West Coast Regional Council is taking a closer look at the row over the Ross lake, where someone has been dismantling a weir built by volunteers to control the lake levels.
Concerns over 'rural generalists' as doctors
In recent weeks, various medics and their union have aired their views on the use of 'rural generalists', a new breed of doctor increasingly being employed on the West Coast.
Slip closes SH6 at Fox River on West Coast
A slip has closed the main highway on the South Island's West Coast, north of the Fox River bridge, near White Horse creek.
Crashing petrels moving south as lights dimmed in Punakaiki
The mystery of why native Westland petrel fledglings keep crash-landing on the West Coast continues, after new LED street lights through Punakaiki were switched off to try to help them during their…
Pike River mine re-entry team reaches Rocsil Plug near end of drift
The work to re-enter the Pike River mine has reached a significant step, with the workers last night reaching the Rocsil Plug near the end of the drift.
New chief executive for Canterbury and West Coast district health boards
The embattled Canterbury District Health Board and the West Coast District Health board have a new chief executive.
West Coast Conservation board at loggerheads over new Conservation Minister
A claim the new Minister of Conservation is an "activist" who will put iwi interests ahead of the environment has been rubbished by a Māori leader.
Dairy farmers fined and warned over effluents breaches
With the dairy season at its peak, farmers breaching their resource consents have appeared on the West Coast Regional Council's black list for the first time in months.
West Coast council bails out of 1080 pellet factory
The West Coast Regional Council has cut its losses and sold its share in a Canterbury-based pesticide factory.
DOC to help pay for mapping of West Coast's significant natural areas
The Department of Conservation has agreed to help with the cost of identifying significant natural areas on public conservation land.
New environmental rules: 'Rates increases of 100pc will be unavoidable'
A West Coast regional councillor is calling on Development West Coast to stump up and cover costs that are about to land on ratepayers because of the government's new environmental policies.
Departing surgeon says DHB not giving West Coasters the care they deserve
An American surgeon working in Greymouth has resigned, saying the people of the West Coast deserve better than a hospital essentially run by GPs.
How dirty is NZ coal? Mining lobby faces conservationists
Coal plays a small part in greenhouse gas emissions in New Zealand, Minerals West Coast manager Patrick Phelps told West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board this month.
29 lives lost: The Pike River mine disaster
A commemorative service has been held at Parliament to mark 10 years since the Pike River Mine tragedy. Audio
Pike River mine tragedy remembered 10 years on
Friends and family have started gathering in Atarau, north of Greymouth, to mark the 10 year anniversary of the Pike River mine disaster.
On this day in 2010, 29 men went to work at the mine, only to… Audio
Pike River mine explosion: Families remember loved ones 10 years on
There will be a minute of silence in the afternoon at the same time the explosion happened, followed by a roll call, where the names of the men will be yelled down into the mine. Audio
Damage to mechanic's oil drum indicates deliberate fire, inquest told
An investigator says the drum found at the burned-down workshop of Franz Josef mechanic Clive Raymond Jenkins suggests the fire was started deliberately.