West Coast
'Lots of tears' as Pike River families enter mine drift
Pike River families have laid flowers and taken small rocks as mementoes as they visit the seal to the mine for the first time.
Pike River families to go 170 metres into mine drift
The Pike River families are set to go 170 metres into the mine drift - further than they have previously been able to go since the disaster. Audio
Ploughing to the top
National ploughing champion Bob Merhtens hails from Timaru. He's recently returned from the 'United States where he's been doing what he loves best...
Audio
Family of girl swept into river speak of 'incomprehensible' time
The family of a nine-year-old girl swept into a West Coast river say they are in shock and grief over their precious only child.
Student Volunteer Army heads to West Coast
The Student Volunteer Army will be planting flax along the Fox River, cleaning beaches, repairing tracks, cleaning a community centre - and more.
Rugby talk with a West Coast farmer
Dairy farmer and rugby coach Blair Mirfin chats to Cosmo Kentish-Barnes about club rugby on the Coast and who'll do well in Japan. Audio
Chemical spill could have exposed Hokitika cyclists to harmful substance
Warning after an industrial chemical spill onto a public cycleway in Hokitika.
Canterbury, West Coast initiatives to get PGF boost
A driver mentoring initiative for young parents, migrants, at risk youths and youths without parental support is getting a $2m boost.
Westland Milk promises better after non-competitive payout
Westland Milk has delivered its farmer suppliers a milk payout it admits is not competitive, but says its new owners will do better.
Power company at odds with environment minister
South Island power company Westpower says the government's decision to stop it building a hydro power scheme on the West Coast is a victory for minority environmental interests over common sense. Audio
Rejected Hydro-electric scheme 'undermined area's intrinsic values'
Plans to build a hydro-electric power scheme on a West Coast river have been declined.
Road to Fox Glacier will not reopen, engineers say
The road to Fox Glacier cannot be reopened, after a landslide swept through in February, engineers say.
'Disappointment' as rātā trees bowled for new stop bank
Four large rātā trees, thought to be about 300 years old, were bowled over on Tuesday to make way for a new flood stop bank.
$2.8m to protect Fox River
Westland District Council could be lumped with a $2.8 million bill and "significant consent applications" to fully protect the Fox River from future rubbish spills.
Huge waves expected to batter West Coast
West Coasters have been told to light the fire and stay home as storm conditions and king tides start to pound the coast … with the worst yet to come. Mayor Bruce Smith spoke to Alex Perrottet. Video, Audio
Toxic dump fears as strong swells expected to lash West Coast
A severe weather forecast for the South Island's West Coast has raised fears that an old toxic waste dump could burst. Video, Audio
West Coast swells could breach old dump site
The mayor of Buller District says swells up to 10m this weekend could breach an old coal mining dump filled with asbestos and industrial waste.
Illness that forced school to shut found to be influenza
The illness that closed a Westport primary school this week has been identified as influenza, the West Coast District Health Board says.
Buller seeks owners in bid to sell abandoned land
Buller District Council is trying to find the owners of almost 50 parcels of abandoned land.
Council in the dark over allegations of wrongdoing
The mayor of Westland District Council says his council was in the dark over allegations of wrongdoing, but hoped to know more tomorrow.
