West Coast

The Westland Mineral Sands barge ran aground near Westport in a storm and was refloated six days later.

A state of emergency was declared on Saturday, with Franz Josef experiencing its wettest 24 hours in more than four decades.

With the main tourist route to Fox Glacier closed, a lodge owner has seen more than half of her bookings for one day disappear. Audio

Businesses say tourists can't reach them as the highway connecting West Coast communities is closed north of Haast, after severe weather.

It comes as officials continue to assess the damage from Saturday's heavy rain.

A nationwide campaign to have horse riders officially recognised as vulnerable road users has been offered some support.

Books with animals wearing clothes were once forbidden, but Winnie-the-Pooh was allowed because "he was so kind to his friends".

A fire at a funeral home in Greymouth has been put out.

The West Coast regional transport committee has been forced to withdraw its draft regional speed management plan, after Transport Minister Simeon Brown signed a new rule that overrides it.

Allan Birchfield has been censured since last year but can still attend council meetings, LGNZ principle advisor says.

Leo Lozano had gone to Buller Hospital complaining of stomach pain, but was sent home. He died hours later.

Local principals expressed dismay about the change, unsure how it would work or what it would mean for staff.

Only two people have complained about the service, but a patient advocate says others are reluctant to trust it.

The former West Coast Regional Council chair has made a point of trying to attend meetings he is banned from, claiming a right to be there as an elected councillor.

An 84-year-old was sent home from hospital without diagnosis, before dialling 111 and waiting hours.

Ratepayers who pay for flood protection in the Harihari district are nervously awaiting a consultants' report on revamping the stopbank system.

Two men operating a large cannabis growing operation in a huge underground bunker have been jailed.

Buller District Mayor Jamie Cleine says ratepayers have paid out $20,000 for a defamation suit - but the true cost is much higher.

The Buller District Council has reached an agreement with Nelson-based Originair, which will start services from 3 January.

Claims by Buller Mayor Jamie Cleine that Westport accountant Frank Dooley assaulted former deputy mayor Sharon Roche are untrue and defamatory, Dooley's lawyer says.