West Coast
Environmentalist slams $15m grant for mining 'dinosaur'
An environmental watchdog group says it's disgraceful the government is spending millions of dollars to help re-establish a gold mine on the West Coast. Audio
A man alone: Travelling the world solo by motorcycle
Chris Eden was diagnosed with incurable lymphatic cancer in 2005. Then he came up with a simple(ish) plan: ride a motorcycle solo across, round or through every continent in the world. So far he's… Audio, Gallery
Boy goes for help after mum swept downriver on West Coast
A six-year-old boy walked nearly 2km early this morning to get help for his mother, after their vehicle crashed into a river on the West Coast.
Growing Fruit Keeps a Family Strong
In the mid-1980s Philip McLennan planted the first and only blueberry farm on the West Coast at Ikamatua. He was always trying something new so planted tayberries as well. The tayberry originated in… Audio, Gallery
Growing Fruit Keeps a Family Strong
In the mid-1980s Philip McLennan planted the first and only blueberry farm on the West Coast at Ikamatua. He was always trying something new so planted tayberries as well. The tayberry originated in…
AudioReefton going for gold again
Gold is gleaming again in the West Coast town of Reefton, four years after Oceana Gold closed its Globe Progress mine there.
West Coast slips: Civil Defence searching for 80 abandoned cars
Civil Defence staff on the West Coast are searching for 80 rental cars that tourists abandoned this week.
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
Plans to re-open key route to stricken region by Christmas
Things may be looking up for Franz Josef with the New Zealand Transport Agency hoping to have the badly damaged road to the north open before Christmas.
National slams government West Coast DHB chair appointment
Comments by the West Coast DHB's new chair Rick Barker are a slap in the face for the region, the National Party's spokesperson for the area Maureen Pugh says.
Air Force may be called in to evacuate stranded tourists
Air Force helicopters may be called in to evacuate some of the hundreds of tourists trapped in Franz Josef, while in the Timaru district access on one main bridge has been restored.
Franz Josef Civil Defence response: Conan Young
A Civil Defence briefing has taken place at Franz Josef as the West Coast grapples with the effects of torrential rain and flooding over the weekend. Meanwhile the Timaru district remains in a state… Audio
Stranded tourists 'terrified' at cut-off Whataroa campground
Several tourists are stranded at a campground in Whataroa, including some "terrified" freedom campers who narrowly escaped a rapidly rising river.
Homicide inquiry underway after body found on West Coast
Police searching for a missing woman on the West Coast have found a body and launched a homicide inquiry.
From dairy farming to hemp cultivation
Reefton dairy farmers Aaron Silcock and Sarah Gibson think the future lies in hemp. Aaron is a fourth-generation dairy farmer at Larry's Creek but says he'd like to eventually put his herd into… Audio, Gallery
From dairy farming to hemp cultivation
Reefton dairy farmers Aaron Silcock and Sarah Gibson think the future lies in hemp. Aaron is a fourth-generation dairy farmer at Larry's Creek but says he'd like to eventually put his herd into…
AudioMassive pest control operation a 'success'
After two 1080 drops, 700 traps and 142 detection cameras in a remote West Coast valley, a pest control operation is being hailed a success. It's part of a plan to rid the Perth Valley of predators -…
West Coast iwi join call for review of Conservation Board line-up
West Coast iwi are backing a call by the Mayor of Westland to disband the West Coast Conservation Board, because it is stacked with conservationists.
Green light for people to enter Pike River mine draft
Worksafe has established the Pike River mine draft could be made safe enough to enter, by creating a process known as 'forcing ventilation' where fresh air is drawn into the mine The move would allow… Audio
Memorial track to Pike River miners opens to public
The Paparoa Track on the West Coast has opened to the public on Sunday morning with hundreds expected across it during the day. Video
