Bruce Smith
Westland mayor welcomes Waiho River rebuild
The West Coast Regional Council has made an apparent u-turn and decided it will rebuild the Waiho River stopbank which was destroyed in flooding two weeks ago. Last month's storm cut power, closed… Audio
Westland Mayor Bruce Smith
The Mayor of Westland says he's happy to sign a declaration that there is climate change but he wants more detail. 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
O'Connor 'cavalier' in comments on Waiho River - West Coast mayor
The Westland District Council is rejecting accusations by West Coast MP and Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor that it's been 'cavalier' in casting blame over flooding of the Waiho River. The… Audio
Residents angry as West Coast council looks at stopbank removal
The West Coast Regional Council is looking at removing the Waiho River's stopbanks at Franz Josef and letting it revert to its old flood plain, potentially swallowing up thousands of hectares of… Audio
West Coast cleans up after landfill washes into river
The clean-up continues on the West Coast after a flooded Fox River uncovered an old landfill, washing rubbish downstream and on to kilometres of coastline. While much of the rubbish has been cleaned… Audio
Waiho bridge collapse: No action after risk warning
A Franz Josef local warned the NZ Transport Agency about problems with the Waiho Bridge two days before it was swept away. Motelier and campground owner Logan Skinner sent an email to the agency on… 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
Torrential rain cause slips, evacuations in Westland
Torrential rain has caused havoc on the West Coast of the South Island. A state of emergency is in place in Westland as the coast is pounded with up to 800 millimetres of rain. There are widespread… Audio
Heavy rain batters flood-ravaged Westland
A state of emergency is in place in Westland as the coast is pounded with up to 800ml of rain. There are widespread flooding and slips, rivers are at record levels, roads are closed and there have… Audio
Waiho Bridge washes away after heavy rainfall
The Waiho Bridge, south of Franz Josef Glacier, has washed away after heavy rainfall. Westland Mayor Bruce Smith tells Lisa Owen he's close to calling a State of Emergency.
Video footage is from… Video, Audio
Weather: Heavy rain, wind to hit NZ
River levels are rising in the West Coast after parts of the region got almost 400mm of rain on Monday night. Heavy rain is expected to continue on Tuesday. Two slips have closed State highway 6… Audio
Westland council slammed over construction deal
The same council that awarded a contract to build two water treatment plants to a cake decorator, is now being criticised for its mishandling of another construction deal. On Tuesday the Office of the… Audio
Westland mayor promises fix for leaking sewage ponds
Westland's mayor is confident an upgrade of Franz Josef's sewage ponds will be done in time to meet a deadline imposed by the Environment Court. The ponds are at the centre of a Serious Fraud Office… Audio
West Coast Update
The heavy rain that drenched the West Coast has continued today. We get an update of the situation from Westland Mayor Bruce Smith. Audio
Freedom camping infrastructure gets boost in South
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
Stretched infrastructure causes West Coast stink
Foul smelling oxidation ponds in Franz Josef and Hokitika, caused by ageing infrastructure and soaring visitor numbers are a top priority for the Westland District Council. Mayor Bruce Smith and… Audio
Airbnb in Westland: 'Without them we'd be in strife'
While Airbnb is being blamed for fuelling high rents in Auckland, Westland Mayor Bruce Smith says the online service has been a blessing for his district.
The Hokitika Wildfoods Festival kicks off on… Audio
Storm Fehi aftermath
A look around at the worst hit areas following yesterday's storm. Audio
Two groups trapped by storm in Westland
Westland Mayor Bruce Smith with the latest on the aftermath of ex-Cyclone Fehi where two separate groups of travellers are trapped. Also Greymouth Mayor Tony Kokshoorn on the damage to his district. Audio