Stories by Samantha Gee

Rain forecast for Thursday cannot come soon enough for drought-stricken South Island farmers.

The plastics will be recycled and used to make fence posts.

A proposal to develop a new facility combining Nelson's library and civic centre with a community hub has been suggested to help revitalise the city centre, at a cost of $90 million.

New data shows Nelson's economic performance was the worst of any region in New Zealand in the last year.

The West Coast Regional Council says it is committed to resolving issues with the Taylorville Resource Park after the private landfill was found to be leaching contaminants into nearby land.

Montford Corporation Limited was fined $55,250 for modifying or damaging land near the Wairau Bar - one of the most significant archaeological sites in Aotearoa.

Farmers are a resilient bunch, but the conditions they're facing are out of the ordinary, the Agriculture Minister says.

As Māori in Nelson await a decision in the dispute, work is underway to reconnect with thousands of descendants of the original 300 customary landowners.

The Ministry of Education invested $24.5 million into a project to co-locate two schools in Blenheim - before it was scrapped over ballooning costs.

After a month of careful hand-rearing and sardine smoothies, another set of fluttering shearwater chicks have been transferred to Wharariki / Farewell Spit.

The father of the girl, who had a sexual relationship with a man she met at a skating rink, has spoken of his devastation at not being able to protect his daughter.

Stephen Graeme Burton was lambasted as a "coward" in court by the late builder's son.

Mark Sullivan became an unexpected air ambulance patient after a plane crash and says without the service, his experience would have been "horrific".

Large swarms of krill have been spotted floating off the Kaikōura coastline, with seabirds and fish feasting on the crustaceans.

It is hoped a forestry fire in Tasman's Lee Valley will be contained by the end of the day, with evacuated residents able to return home. Audio

The temporary Interislander ferry terminal in Picton could become a permanent fixture as KiwiRail winds up its work on the port redevelopment in the seaside town.

Nearly 1000 fur seals have died along the Kaikōura coastline in the past five months - scientists say it is a result of warmer sea temperatures and depleted fish stocks.

The long-delayed Waimea Dam in the Tasman District is not finished nor full, but local residents and growers are likely to need water from it in the dry months ahead.

The central Marlborough Sounds is home to a team of rural firefighters who do not have a fire truck or even a station.

The council notices require the earthquake-prone buildings to be strengthened or replaced by November 2028.

The camp is fully booked until mid-February and the local store is bracing to sell tens of thousands of icecreams.

The family of a man killed while cycling to Christchurch for his first grandchild's baby shower hopes his death serves as a reminder of the dangers of drink driving.

The Tasman District Council is warning people to be aware of nesting kārearea / falcons, which have been attacking unsuspecting walkers and mountain bikers in the Richmond Hills.

It will be another decade before Nelson Hospital's redevelopment is complete, with the facility already operating at capacity.

The mechanical device initially left staff stumped after being donated with a box of medical equipment.