West Coast
Pike River: 'Best news for 10 years' as police decide to resume bore drilling
Police have announced they are reopening the borehole drilling operation at the Pike River Mine to ensure the investigation team can determine what caused the first explosion in 2010.
Bilingual signs spark 'unfortunate' race comments
Bilingual road signs and a "no bloody idea" comment by the chairperson of the West Coast Regional Council generated some heat in cyberspace over the weekend.
Jackson Bay road could be abandoned - Westland mayor
The special purpose road to Jackson Bay could be abandoned if Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency tries to devolve it to the Westland District Council, retiring mayor Bruce Smith says.
Quake near Greymouth rattles West Coast
The magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck the South Island's West Coast just before 2am.
Tourist host confident Fiordland crested penguin numbers are on the rise
A West Coast tourism operator says an increase in tawaki sightings suggests more are navigating the Tasman Sea to nest in nearby rainforest.
Gloriavale leaver given one week off work for the birth of her child
A former Gloriavale member says she returned to work a week after her baby was born and believes the early separation from her eldest child has had an ongoing effect.
Gloriavale children subject to frequent smackings, court hears
An ex-Gloriavale member said she could always be scared into doing something by the thought of being smacked. She broke down while giving evidence in the Employment Court today.
'Do we need a tragedy?' - Greymouth school fights for road safety review
A Greymouth school plea for the NZ Transport Agency to do something about traffic on the road outside has been characterised as "emotional" but it has been backed by the West Coast regional transport…
One dies in crash near Lake Brunner, road closed
One person has died after a crash near Lake Brunner, on the West Coast, police say.
Gloriavale Christian School principal hits out at critics
Gloriavale Christian School's new principal has accused people of making a coordinated effort to shut the school down and take its children away by lodging simultaneous complaints against every…
Local government contest heats up in Buller
The West Coast Regional Council is leading the country for candidates contesting any one seat in the upcoming local body elections.
West Coast council to keep ‘faith’ over rates
The West Coast Regional Council says it intends to keep "good faith" with ratepayers and not impose a further rates increase based on new capital valuations for the region.
Buller Health fragility claim refuted by health bosses
Allegations emergency medical cover at Buller Health is at breaking point has been denied by Health NZ West Coast, which says the level of urgent medical support in Westport has never been higher.
Court hears of sexual culture at Gloriavale where women, girls blamed and punished
Gloriavale founder Hopeful Christian told a father who had just buried his daughter that he could take comfort from the fact she would not be molested, a court has heard.
Huge rivers of gravel pose farming challenges
Parts of a Barrytown farm are slowly being smothered by gravel brought down from creeks in the Paparoa Range.
New West Coast paint colour guidelines ‘not a rule’
The draft Te Tai o Poutini Plan includes guidelines on what colours buildings can be painted in the main West Coast towns.
Anti-government group accused of trying to hijack meeting
Conspiracy theorists attempted to hijack a public consultation meeting yesterday in Greymouth for the draft Te Tai o Poutini Plan (TTPP).
'Extremely challenging’ time in store for West Coast council
A rush of late nominations for the Buller ward of the West Coast Regional Council has seen 10 candidates put their hands up, but two outgoing councillors say there are challenges ahead for the area's…
Flood clean-up likely to be 'biggest recovery' for Marlborough
A massive clean-up in the top of the south is underway after major flooding, and is being described as likely the "biggest recovery ever faced" in the Marlborough region.
Kumara mine proposal 'on hold'
An application for a proposed goldmine close to Kumara township is on hold with the West Coast Regional Council, which has asked for more information.
