West Coast
Waiho Bridge reopens after being rebuilt in 18 days
The Waiho Bridge near Franz Josef reopened at midday after being out of action for two and a half weeks when the old bridge was washed away in flooding.
Westland and Fiordland brace for deluge and threat of more floods
Heavy rain and flood warnings are in effect for parts of Fiordland and Westland that were hit by floods last month.
'Light at the end of the tunnel' for West Coast clean-up
Volunteers helping clean up rubbish strewn down part of the West Coast say they are making progress.
Westland landfill washout: Sage assesses risks elsewhere in NZ
The Associate Minister for the Environment is investigating what can be done about a number of old landfills around the country that were not properly sealed, and are now vulnerable.
Businesses 'may go into liquidation' due to loss of Waiho River Bridge
Some West Coast businesses may go bust after the closure of the Waiho River Bridge caused an abrupt end to visits by tourists
5.2 magnitude quake hits Fiordland overnight
A magnitude 5.2 earthquake has struck in Fiordland.
West Coast cleanup: Herbicide, asbestos, 'containers that say toxic'
Toxic materials are being found among the rubbish washing up along the West Coast after floodwaters spread it along the coastline from an abandoned landfill.
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
Repaired Waiho Bridge should reopen by school holidays
Plans to reconnect Franz Josef to Fox Glacier are on schedule with the bridge expected to be in place in a week's time.
Huge clean up underway after landfill spills into river
Hundreds of volunteers hit the beaches of the West Coast today in a bid to clean up what's been described as one of the biggest ecological disasters since the Rena oil spill. Audio
West Coast rubbish spill latest - govt urged to help
West Coasters are angry at the government's lack of response to what they say is a massive environmental disaster. Volunteers have been trying to clean up the mess since late last week, with… Audio, Gallery
Rubbish wash-out 'could be biggest eco-disaster since Rena spill'
Rubbish strewn in the flood-hit West Coast is potentially the bigger eco-disaster since the Rena oil spill, Forest and Bird says.
West Coast river option may swallow up thousands of hectares of farmland
The West Coast Regional Council is considering removing the Waiho River's stopbanks at Franz Josef and letting it revert to its old flood plain.
Rubbish-strewn West Coast brings resident to tears
The sight of rubbish from a washed out West Coast tip strewn on once-pristine sand is enough to bring a local resident to tears, and he says it's going to be impossible to clean up on foot.
West Coast residents still grappling with flooding aftermath
West Coast residents are continuing to grapple with the aftermath of flooding -- a week after the region was hit by record-breaking rainfall. Video, Audio
Rubbish piles up on West Coast beaches
Decades worth of rubbish is washing up on West Coast beaches following bad weather. Heavy rain eroded the Fox landfill, so waste from it is flowing into the Fox River. Audio
West Coast weather: Haast turns into a 'ghost town', rubbish flows in Fox River
Frustration is at boiling point as Haast locals prepare for their sixth day without power, and rubbish starts to flow through Fox River from a historical landfill.
Setbacks slow repairs to flood damaged Waiho Bridge
Repairs to the flood damaged Waiho Bridge will take longer than initially predicted.
Flood-hit Westland residents: 'We're on our own'
People in south Westland say they feel neglected and let down after major flooding in the region.
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.
