Franz Josef
More intense rainfall forecast for West Coast
MetService is predicting more intense rainfall on the West Coast on Thursday as a slow-moving front between Westland and Fiordland is forecast to move northwards. RNZ reporter Maia Ingoe spoke to… Audio
Glacier retreat at Franz Josef changing shape of Waiho river - glaciologist
The rapid retreat of Franz Josef Glacier and the subsequent "huge" volume of riverbed material crawling down the Waiho Valley is a growing problem for the area.
Tourism operators in Franz Josef confident of summer bounce-back
Tourism operators in the South Island town of Franz Josef are confident the summer will herald a boon for the region, which was hit hard by Covid lockdowns. Last summer was a return to normal of… Video, Audio
Building consents still issued in town facing possible relocation
Franz Josef may not be able to remain in its present site beyond 20 years, so why are authorities still issuing building consents in the area?
The Week in Detail: In Nelson, Christchurch and Franz Josef
The Detail podcast brings you the issues behind the news every weekday. Here's what we covered this week. Audio
Franz Josef: The tourist town bouncing back, with a new problem
The pandemic turned it into a ghost town, but Franz Josef is bouncing back and is as busy as ever. Audio
'Exposed, vulnerable' in Franz Josef without visitors
Franz Josef business owners say they are struggling to keep their heads above water after losing Aucklanders and international visitors.
The winters are traditionally quiet, but businesses say… Video, Audio
Disappointment after Tourism Minister's visit to Fox, Franz Josef
All talk and no support was the conclusion from Franz Josef and Fox Glacier locals after a meeting with the Tourism Minister today.
Stuart Nash and West Coast Tasman MP Damien O'Connor fronted… 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
Franz Josef facing 'mass cancellations' due to bridge collapse
The tourist town of Franz Josef is facing mass cancellations for weeks ahead as a result of the storm damage to the Waiho Bridge.
Up the creek and off the grid: putting the power back into West Coast farming
Graham Berry has a dairy farm just south of Franz Josef. The born-and-bred West Coaster borrows water from a creek on DOC land to drive a 55-kiloWatt, hydro-electric scheme. Audio, Gallery
Cost of moving Franz Josef $600m
A report has found moving the Franz Josef township away from a major fault line would cost close to $600 million.
Mayor unconvinced over Franz Josef's waste water plant plans
Westland District Council's new mayor says a $6.2 million waste water treatment plant for the Franz Josef township is unlikely to go ahead under his watch.
Franz Josef's proposed $6.2m wastewater plant could be scrapped
The Westland District Council has acknowledged a proposed $6.2m wastewater plant, for a town with about 300 ratepayers, could be scrapped after elections.
6.2 million dollar waste water plant proposal could be scrapped
A proposed $6 million wastewater treatment plant for Franz Josef may be scrapped - and residents say the whole thing has been a waste of time. Audio
Body found inside Franz Josef workshop
Police have found a body inside a Franz Josef workshop destroyed in a huge fire - and believe it to be the building's owner. Audio
Man's body found after major blaze in Franz Josef
The body of a man whose workshop burned down last night has been found, police say.
NZ glacial shrinkage
Kathryn Ryan speaks to glaciologist Trevor Chinn on the rapid shrinkage of the country's glaciers. The central Southern Alps has lost a quarter of its ice in recent decades and stands to lose another… Audio
New sewerage system for Franz Josef questioned
Franz Josef's 300 ratepayers could face a $6.2 million bill if the wider region votes they have to pay for their new sewerage system, after flooding earlier this year. Audio
Franz Josef locals could face $6m sewerage bill
Hundreds of ratepayers in the West Coast town of Franz Josef may face a $6 million dollar bill if the region votes they have to pay for their own sewerage system. Audio