Tony Kokshoorn

A traffic light Christmas is on the way, but freedoms will depend on the level of vaccination.

So what can the South Island expect?

Timonthy Brown reports. Audio

The discovery of human remains deep inside the Pike River Mine just two days out from the 11th anniversary of the disaster has caused an outpouring of emotion from the families of those who died… Audio

Record high gold prices have prompted hobby prospectors to dust off spades and pans and head to South Island rivers in the hope of striking it lucky.

The precious metal recently hit NZ$3000 an ounce… Audio

During his 15 years as the Mayor of Greymouth, Tony Kokshoorn dealt with storms that tore up roads, a struggling economy and of course the Pike River Mine Disaster which claimed the lives of 29 men… Audio

The mayor of the Grey District Council is greeting news of the sale of Westland Milk to a foreign buyer as disappointing – but inevitable.

The Overseas Investment Office has approved the sale of the… Audio

West Coast councils are lobbying the government to exclude the region from its mining ban on conservation land.

They want to wait until a category known as stewardship land has been reviewed and… Audio

Emotions are expected to run high today as hundreds of West Coast dairy farmers vote on whether to sell their 150-year-old co-operative to a Chinese buyer.

Farmers say mismanagement of the company… Audio

News from the rural and farming sector. Audio

The Grey District Mayor, Tony Kokshoorn wants the conservation estate kept open for new mining projects on the West Coast.

A prohibition on new mines on DOC land was announced in 2017.

But a… Audio

Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn says he found out yesterday that the Pike River mine re-entry would go ahead tomorrow - but isn't surprised it will be a low-key event for families only. Video, Audio

The West Coast is set to benefit from a major cash injection from the Provincial Growth Fund. The government has announced a $140 million package focused largely on tourism and economic development… Audio

Grey District mayor Tony Kokshoorn says yesterday's Government decision to approve a re-entry of the Pike River Mine has come as a huge relief on the West Coast. Twenty-nine miners were killed in the… Audio

The South Island was the big winner in an eight-million dollar handout from the government to improve freedom camping infrastructure. Freedom camping has been a divisive issue with many regions… Audio

A plan to develop salmon farming on a hydro dam on the South Island's West Coast had had the government sit up and take notice. The Greymouth fishing company Westfleet wants to have a commercial… Audio

The Grey District's long-serving mayor, Tony Kokshoorn, has announced he'll retire from politics next year when his current term ends.

Mr Kokshoorn says the mayoralty is a demanding job and he wants… Audio