Bruce Smith
Government's Three Water reforms widely opposed in South Island
The Government's decision to push through the Three Water reforms is getting widespread opposition from South Island councils, with the move labelled by some as a confiscation of assets.
The whole… Audio
Covid-19: West Coast vaccination rate stays stubbornly low
The West Coast is falling behind when it comes to uptake of the Covid-19 vaccine, sitting stubbornly low at 71 percent for first jabs.
That compares poorly to the rest of Te Wai Pounamu where the… Audio
Westland Mayor nervous about extended lockdown
The whole country will remain in Covid-19 Level 4 lockdown until the end of the week.
That includes the South Island, despite the fact there have been no cases detected yet.
Bruce Smith is the… Video, Audio
West Coast prepares for torrential rain
A rare red warning has been issued by Metservice for the Buller and Westland Districts, ahead of forecast torrential rain.
Metservice expects up to 400 millimetres of rain in the ranges, and up to… Audio
Coal still king for Westland Mayor Bruce Smith
The burning of coal to create electricity is at a nine-year high in New Zealand.
The news comes in the same week the Prime Minister says action on climate change must be do or die.
The same amount… Audio
Government under pressure to release millions of dollars marked for Franz Josef
Pressure is mounting on the government to release $24 million earmarked for the tourism town of Franz Josef.
Six months since approving a project to give the town flood protection, the mayor is… Audio
Has a government 'no new mines pledge' driven a gold rush?
In 2017 the government announced there would be no new mines on conservation land. Three years later, the discussion document is still being prepared, with the move parked for now. Audio, Gallery
Blow to West Coast tourism sector
There's been another blow to the tourism sector with the Scenic Hotels chain signalling it may resort to "mothballing" all of its hotels on the West Coast. Audio
Claims rubbish from Westland landfill washing up 200 kms away
Beach clean-up volunteer Des Watson tells Lynn Freeman he believes rubbish that exploded from the landfill near Fox Glacier last March is washing up 200 kms north at Westport. Des has spent the week… Audio
Mayors enraged by Arthurs Pass snow chain ban
A snow chain ban on Arthurs Pass has enraged three mayors and tens of thousands of road users either side of the alps.
The Transport Agency's new system sees State Highway 73 either completely open… Audio
Westland mayor says whitebait preservation plans need more work
Conservation efforts for whitebait criticised for being too harsh in some areas. Westland Mayor Bruce Smith explains why some of the measures are not going down well in his region. Audio
West Coast 2019: rain, roads & rubbish
Extreme weather events mean 2019 could be remembered for all the wrong things on the West Coast of the South Island. Back in March heavy rain washed out a disused landfill near Fox Glacier, strewing… Audio
Will Fox River be impacted by the latest West Coast flooding?
Over the weekend, the West Coast was subjected to heavy rain and flooding, raising concerns the dump may again give way and release rubbish in to Fox River. Audio
Wild weather: Westland mayor on counting the cost of damage
The West Coast is in chaos after wild weather over the weekend caused flooding, cutting access to many roads.
As of Monday morning nearly 1000 tourists are trapped in Franz Josef.
Friday is the… Audio
Westland Mayor explains protest against government policies
Thousands of West Coast residents attended a protest in Greymouth yesterday to share their concerns about what they see as restrictive government policies.
This includes the proposed national policy… Audio
Voters take an interest in West Coast councils
While voter turnout in the local body elections took a slight dip across the country interest was strong on the West Coast. In Westland District 64 percent of voters cast a ballot and in neighbouring… Audio
Huge waves expected to batter West Coast
West Coasters have been told to light the fire and stay home as storm conditions and king tides start to pound the coast … with the worst yet to come. Mayor Bruce Smith spoke to Alex Perrottet. Video, Audio
Fox River rubbish: Funding a good start but not enough - mayor
Another $300,000 has been allocated to clean up the Fox River, doubling the government funding for the effort.
A deluge in March washed out a closed landfill near Fox Glacier, leaving old garbage now… Audio
Department of Conservation takes over Fox River clean-up
The Westland mayor is delighted the Department of Conservation will take over the clean-up of the Fox River after devastating floods in March.
An old landfill was eroded by the flood waters… Audio
New Waiho River bridge helps West Coast clean-up
The opening of the Waiho Bridge is good news for the Fox River landfill cleanup. Last month flooding in the region caused an old landfill to become exposed, and rubbish was washed down the Fox River… Audio