West Coast
Solid Energy won't change position on sealing Pike River mine
Checkpoint has asked repeatedly to talk to Solid Energy CEO Tony King. Today, he told Checkpoint the company has not changed its position on sealing the mine. Video, Audio
Victim's father says Pike River families won't give up
The families of the men who died in the Pike River mine were told by Solid Energy today that it will seal the mine, without question. The father of one of the 29 men, Bernie Monk, reacts. Video, Audio
West Coast: Pay Dirt - The Westland Goldfields
Hilary Low’s book Pay Dirt is based on the diary and book The Westland Goldfield by prospector William Smart - the man, she argues, that should be acknowledged as the first person to discover payable… Audio, Gallery
West Coast: Murder on the Maungatapu
In 1966 bushranger turned murderer, Richard Burgess, was hung alongside other members of his notorious and ruthless gang. They'd killed innocent travellers on the Maungatapu Track.
Burgess left… Audio, Gallery
West Coast: 150 Years of King Dick in New Zealand
It’s party central in Hokitika this weekend as the West coast town commemorates the life of former Premier King Dick Seddon. It's the 150th anniversary of Richard John Seddon's arrival in New Zealand.
…False Civil Defence warning 'irresponsible'
A false alarm from West Coast Civil Defence that warned the alpine fault could be about to rupture has been labelled as irresponsible and sparked calls for a review. Video, Audio
Community work for albatross deaths 'pathetic'
A community work sentence for a fisherman who caused 39 albatross deaths doesn't go far enough, Forest and Bird says.
No change in plans to seal Pike River Mine - lawyer
Some of the victims' families want the mine's closure plans reviewed but their lawyer says their application to stay the process has been denied. Audio
Death of albatross deliberate and selfish
A commercial fisherman who caused the death of 39 albatrosses has been sentenced to 300 hours' community work. Tracy Neal was in court. Audio
Application to stay Pike River mine declined
Nigel Hampton QC applied for a stay in sealing the Pike River mine, but has just found out that request has been declined. Audio
Concrete company pulls out of Pike River mine work due to oppos
The company set to supply concrete to seal the Pike River Mine has pulled out, in respect to the families who want the mine left open. Audio
Fisherman sentenced over albatross deaths
A commercial fisherman convicted for carelessly causing the deaths of albatrosses has been sentenced to 300 hours' community work.
Pike River families furious at mine's closure
Families furious with a decision to go ahead with plans to permanently seal Pike River Mine are looking at legal action. Video
Karl Barklay sets up camp outside Pike River mine
Karl Barclay set up camp near the entrance to Pike River mine last night. He tells Checkpoint why. Audio
Calls for Pike River Mine to remain open whilst 'a homicide scene'
A lawyer acting for the Pike River victims' families say the mine shouldn't be sealed as it is a crime scene, while a Mines Rescue team member offers to go inside. Video, Audio
Pike River
Solid Energy says protesting relatives of the Pike River mine victims are spreading inaccurate information about re-entering the mine. Audio
No answers yet on fatal 2015 Fox Glacier helicopter crash
Today marks a year since a scenic helicopter flight over Fox Glacier over turned to disaster. Today marks a year since a scenic helicopter flight over Fox Glacier over turned...
Pike River re-entry 'lunacy' - PM
Re-entering the Pike River Mine is not a safe option, the Prime Minister says, but angry families say they have evidence to the contrary. Audio
Westport Civil Defence update on quake
Chris Cole, civil defence controller for the Buller district. Audio
Pike River families want bodies recovered
Families of Pike River victims are to protest against authorities' refusal to retrieve their families bodies. Organiser Anna Osborne speaks to Checkpoint. Video, Audio
