Westland
Metservice speaks on weather extremes across NZ
Westland and Fiordland are under orange heavy rain warnings and Westland residents can expect up to 200mm of rain, Fiordland 130 millimeters. Meanwhile in Timaru, the mercury hit 33 degrees with… Audio
West Coast main highway cut off, businesses worried
Businesses say tourists can't reach them as the highway connecting West Coast communities is closed north of Haast, after severe weather.
Collective call needed to protect Franz Josef area - councillor
A long awaited meeting for Franz Josef area residents and ratepayers is about to be held after years of delays as the future of their community hangs in the balance.
Glacier retreat at Franz Josef changing shape of Waiho river - glaciologist
The rapid retreat of Franz Josef Glacier and the subsequent "huge" volume of riverbed material crawling down the Waiho Valley is a growing problem for the area.
By-election prompted by resignation of Westland councillor after 10 days
A Westland District councillor has tended his resignation 10 days after being voted in, saying doing the job would compromise his personal beliefs.
Mud and Blood released on RNZ today
Westland farmer, rugby enthusiast and touch judge Gary McCrae talks about the 71-year-old Woodham Shield rugby competition that features in the new RNZ documentary Mud & Blood. Audio
Bringing New Zealand's lost wonders back to life
Author Sarah Ell's new book Lost Wonders: Vanished Creatures of Aotearoa is an all-ages introduction to the vanished creatures of Aotearoa New Zealand, from the long extinct species to those now on… Audio
Applications close for help after devastating West Coast storm
Dozens of applications for financial assistance have been received by the Westland mayor, three months after a devastating storm. Bruce Smith spoke to Logan Church about the range of assistance people… Video, Audio
Toxic material washing up after floodwaters spread rubbish
On the West Coast, toxic material is washing up after floodwaters spread rubbish from an abandoned landfill. While the river spreading the rubbish from the closed Fox Glacier Township Landfill has… Audio
State of Emergency remains in place on West Coast
The rain may have stopped on the West Coast but the clean-up from the massive downpour is expected to take some time. Westland Mayor Bruce Smith joins Checkpoint live. Audio
Road linking Chch to Coast to stay closed until next week
A woman from the Gloriavale Christian community drowned after a stop bank on the swollen Haupiri River gave way, while a 20m section of the main road between Christchurch and the West Coast has washed… Video, Audio
West Coast weather chaos continues as warning extended
The torrential rain that has been causing chaos in the West Coast since yesterday, leading to the death of a woman in a swollen river, is forecast to continue for just a little while longer. Audio
Flooding hits West Coast and closes highway as front sets in
Flooding has closed a highway on the West Coast as heavy rainfall lashes the region, with locals preparing for further weather disruption today.
Environmentalists slam DOC’s plan to allow dogs in National Park
The Department of Conservation's proposal to allow dogs into Westland Tai Poutini National Park has triggered an uproar from environmentalists. Audio
Westland coast an absolute mess - mayor
Hundreds of trees have come down in Westland on the West Coast. Westland Mayor Bruce Smith describes the carnage, telling John Campbell he's 'never seen anything like this'. Video, Audio
The Future of Our Regions
This afternoon we look at the Westland District, population 8,760 and one of the most sparsely populated parts of the country. Audio
Mayor: Westland Council still retains ratepayers' confidence
Multiple investigations and the resignation of the chief executive have not undermined Westland ratepayers' confidence in their council, the district's mayor says.
Report critical of Westland cycle trail budget blowout
An independent report has slammed Westland District Council for letting its cycle trail project go $1.5 million over budget.
Foreign drivers over represented in southern road crashes
Ministry of Transport figures show more than a third of road crashes in Westland between 2009 and 2013 involved foreign drivers. Audio
Off the Beaten Track with Kennedy Warne
Kennedy Warne explores South Westland, and reports that NZ photographer Robin Hammond has won photojournalism's equivalent of the Booker. Audio
