Stories by Lois Williams

The West Coast Regional Council's embattled chief executive Vin Smith has formally resigned after a three-month standoff, and looks set to find a new job with the Buller District Council.

There is no escaping the thorny issue of SNAs, councils and iwi on the West Coast are being warned.

Buller members of the West Coast Regional Council say criticism levelled at them by Mayor Jamie Cleine over the Westport flood was unfair and unfounded.

A $10 million flood protection scheme proposed for Westport would have prevented most of the devastation caused by last weekend's massive flood, according to West Coast Regional Council's operations…

The flood that swamped Westport at the weekend should convince even the most doubtful ratepayer that the town needs river protection work, West Coast Regional Council chairman Allan Birchfield says.

The government will invest $37 million in West Coast district councils to counter potential resistance to its looming water reforms.

A West Coast gold mine exploration venture that was injecting $500,000 a year into the local economy has been shut down by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

As West Coast ratepayers face the shock of hefty rate increases this year, the four councils explain why the hikes are necessary.

Drinking water in the Kaikōura district fails to meet the government's standards in all but one instance, according to the Ministry of Health.

Kaikōura District Council is warning dog owners they face hefty fines and large compensation bills if their animals attack livestock.

Police have responded to the concerns of a West Coast whānau that their son was singled out for attention because he was Māori.

Councils are supposed to have adopted their long-term plans by 30 June. The draft West Coast Regional Council plan has not even been finalised yet, let alone put out for consultation and adopted.

Iwi chairs on the West Coast say it is unfortunate Poutini Ngāi Tahu runanga were not involved in a recent health study that found instances of racism in the region.

A study of Māori living on the West Coast has found racial bigotry is alive and well in the region and poses a challenge for whānau trying to raise healthy, confident children.

West Coast Regional Council ratepayers will have to wait until at least next month to find out if they are facing a 30 percent rate rise.

A report on the risk of the West Coast Regional Council headquarters collapsing in an earthquake might make staff eat lunch at their desks.

West Coast mayors are calling for a halt to identifying significant natural areas (SNAs) on private land, after suggestions that the process could be paused in the Far North.

The former chairman of the West Coast Conservation Board is feeling vindicated after a High Court decision that the Department of Conservation cannot allow recreational helicopter flights into Paparoa…

Cycling and bike trails are important but trucks are the region's lifeline, the regional council chair says.

A tiny West Coast community is horrified its residents will be paying nearly $1800 a year for their water in five years' time.

The creation of a Māori ward has been voted down by Kaikōura District Council, bucking a national trend.

A planned coup against West Coast Regional Council chairman Allan Birchfield has been called off, after iwi leaders stepped in to defuse the row.

The acting chief executive of the West Coast Regional Council, Heather Mabin, has been given authority to sign off on loan documents in the continuing absence of council chief executive Vin Smith.

Forest and Bird says there is no truth to comments that have implicated it in a bid to roll West Coast Regional Council chairman Allan Birchfield.

The leadership crisis at the West Coast Regional Council could end up costing ratepayers dearly, West Coast-Tasman MP Damien O'Connor warns.