West Coast
Pike River families say they're finally being listened to
The Minister responsible for Pike River Re-entry, Andrew Little, met with some of the miners' families at Parliament to set up a legal entity to run the re-entry project. Video, Audio
Buller council failed to cut wage bill
A West Coast council failed to cut its wage bill as planned and employed 10 more staff, an annual report says.
West Coast ex-CEO paid $85k severance
A former council chief executive who resigned pending an investigation into her conduct received an $85,000 severance payment.
Tumultuous week for Westland District Council
Three Westland District Council staff have been paid a total of $230,000 in severance payments and the council has a $2m deficit in it annual operating costs. Earlier this week it was revealed that… Audio
Picnickers in 1080 zone still waiting for answers
Two women who believe they were poisoned by 1080 over three years ago say it's ridiculous they are still waiting for answers from health officials.
Pike River robot plan may be scrapped ahead of manned re-entry
A project to send a robot into Pike River is likely to be scrapped as the new Government looks for ways to send in people instead. Video, Audio
West Coast by-election could cost $9k
A West Coast by-election to replace a councillor who lost his job because he was not a New Zealand citizen could cost ratepayers $9000.
District mayor supports Pike River re-entry
Grey District mayor Tony Kokshoorn has backed re-entry into Pike River, but says expectations about what can be done need to be realistic.
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.
Abuse hurled at Greymouth murder accused in court
A 45-year-old man has been charged with the murder of 43-year-old Hayley Williams in Greymouth on Sunday afternoon. Maja Burry was in court today. Video, Audio
Shouting in court over Greymouth shooting
A 45-year-old man has appeared in court on a murder charge after a woman was shot dead in Greymouth on Sunday.
Shooting victim was 'a happy person'
A friend of the Greymouth mother-of-three who was shot dead at her home on Sunday afternoon says she is still in shock.
West Coast shooter still at large
Police have still not found the suspect in a fatal shooting on the West Coast despite searching through the night.
Truckies faced with alternative South Island route quitting in droves
The freight industry is now short of 2000 drivers as growing numbers of truckies refuse to use the alternative South Island inland route.
Search for missing fisherman suspended
Police have abandoned the search of a sunken fishing boat off the South Island's West Coast in an effort to locate a missing fisherman.
West Coast coal mine case heard
The future of a coal mine being proposed on West Coast public reserve land near Westport is being argued at the High Court in Christchurch.
Community cop's return deters West Coast crime
The residents of a tiny West Coast town are welcoming the reinstatement of their community constable after a two-year absence marked by a rise in petty crime.
Outlaw: the story of Richard Burgess
In the 1860s Richard Burgess and his outlaw gang roved the West Coast, robbing and murdering dozens of people. Black Sheep investigates his life story and what drove him to a life of crime. Audio
Buller feels strain of jobs drain
The departure of some large companies from the Buller district is putting a strain on the number of community groups needing sponsorship, the mayor says.
Weekend wet helps Westport's water woes
Weekend rain has boosted Westport's water supply, but the district's mayor says the town is not yet out of the woods.
