West Coast
Issues over possible extension for smelly West Coast private landfill
Whether or not a private landfill should get more time to fix ongoing smell problems has been complicated by a WorkSafe shutdown and investigation, and advice is being sought, a West Coast council…
Resident shocked at council's 100 percent rates hike
Some households face an increase of 100 percent thanks to additional council levies.
'Some pretty crazy things are going on' as glaciers vanish
In the past 30 years, 200 glaciers in the Southern Alps have disappeared due to the "shocking" rise in ocean temperatures, a scientist says.
Road workers race to restore SH6 link to West Coast
There is concern that a bridge on the Haast Pass may have been damaged after thousands of cubic metres of debris from a slip washed onto it.
The polar explorers putting their 'hearts and souls' into hemp
Which hemp cultivars grow best on a Karamea dairy farm? With the goal of helping to reduce carbon emissions, Jake Gibbons and Kathy Blumm are finding out. Audio
Smaller councils face 'considerable difficulty' to meet audit deadline
Smaller councils are facing bigger audit costs and more difficulties after the government introduced new requirements, a West Coast council boss says.
New suspension bridge for Hokitika Gorge
A new suspension bridge will replace an old bridge in the lower Hokitika Gorge, after the government provided funding.
Franz Josef tourism businesses see summer rush on the horizon
Tourism operators in Franz Josef are confident summer will herald a boon for the region, which was hit hard by Covid-19 lockdowns.
Tourism operators in Franz Josef confident of summer bounce-back
Tourism operators in the South Island town of Franz Josef are confident the summer will herald a boon for the region, which was hit hard by Covid lockdowns. Last summer was a return to normal of… Video, Audio
Forest & Bird calls for better river management on West Coast
Councils need to rethink the way they manage waterways to reduce the risk of devastating floods, Forest & Bird is warning.
Kākā numbers skyrocket in annual Landsborough Valley bird count
Data shows eight native bird species have steadily increased in number since DOC started carrying out bird counts in South Westland's Landsborough Valley 25 years ago.
Long wait for plastic surgery on West Coast
The West Coast's plastic surgery waiting list is so long some patients are waiting about 11 months for a first specialist appointment and a similar time for surgery.
DOC mothballs Buller Denniston Experience tourist attraction
A Buller tourist attraction crippled by regulations that followed the Pike River Mine disaster has been permanently closed.
Missing, damaged beehives result in $120k loss for beekeepers
A man angered by bees "taking pollen off his flowers" and "nectar from his trees" cost two beekeepers about $120,000 after their beehives were damaged and went missing.
Backyard bananas in the Buller
A botanist on the West Coast wants locals to start planting growing edible perennials that are growing in his nursery and food forest. Audio
West Coast quarries essential - but at what cost
The future of the West Coast Regional Council's quarries remain under review.
West Coast council defamation case bill exceeds $15,000
A defamation case taken by West Coast Regional Councillor Frank Dooley against Buller Mayor Jamie Cleine has so far cost Buller ratepayers more than $15,000.
Aladdin's cave of country music memorabilia
There's no room left in Barry Skinner's music museum in Hector. "I've run out of wall space so I'm hanging off the roof now," says the dobro and lap-steel playing collector. Video, Audio
'Hit me' taunt made by former council chairperson
Former West Coast Regional Council chairperson Allan Birchfield taunted fellow councillor Frank Dooley saying, "hit me Frank" during an altercation in May.
'Grave concern': The highway at risk of slipping into the sea
The mayor says it's a lifeline for her region - but where State Highway 6 clings to a cliff, a slip falls away to the sea about 300 metres below.
