Stories by Brendon McMahon

The eastern alignment of the ring bank for the proposed Westport flood scheme needs to be changed, even though the design for the $56 million flood package is already sitting with Cabinet awaiting…

The West Coast Regional Council will undergo a full "reset" under new chairman, councillor Peter Haddock.

Two farms severely flooded last week when the Wanganui River broke through a hole in the stopbank face a repair bill of at least $1 million - and with no insurance.

Allan Birchfield said the way his departure unfolded was something he "fully expected" and he was grateful for a clear vote.

A plan change is already being signalled for the proposed Te Tai o Poutini Plan.

Allan Birchfield hurried out of the West Coast Regional Council chambers today, seconds after five of six councillors voted to sack him from the job.

All six of Allan Birchfield's fellow councillors are moving to sack him from the role.

A long-time Hari Hari resident says the storm damage that swept through the rural township on Tuesday night was the worst in living memory. A creek which runs off the...

The West Coast Regional Council intends to add automatic rain monitoring equipment on the Wanganui River near Hari Hari after a series of damaging floods.

South Westland farmers are counting the cost after a flooded Wanganui River sent a deluge through their land for the second time in a fortnight.

West Coast Regional Council hired a helicopter to check the forest slash following a cloudburst in December.

A gold dredge that has been idle for a decade could be the downfall of a longtime West Coast Regional Council chairman, but he's still proud of the massive machinery.

An under-siege West Coast Regional Council chairman says he will not budge and intends to see out the process signed off by all six of his councillors to unseat him.

Fears a lifeline to South Westland communities could be cut off by the Wanganui River have been dismissed by Waka Kotahi.

The West Coast Regional Council is taking formal steps to remove Allan Birchfield as chairman.

An in-flood Wanganui River was running through farms near Hari Hari on Thursday, just two days after West Coast Regional Council received a strong warning from locals at a stormy on-site meeting.

The local council said it was disappointed by the hotel group's comments given the upcoming court case.

Calm heads rather than "wild accusations" are needed for essential Franz Josef stopbank work to proceed, the Scenic Circle Hotel Group says.

The West Coast Regional Council is keeping an eye on 'seepage' of the floodwalls around Franz Josef Glacier village.

A $30 million claim against West Coast Regional Council by a hotel, after its former Franz Josef site was flooded, puts the entire community on the line, council chief executive Heather Mabin claims.

A Jobs for Nature project is transforming what has been a weed-infested wasteland alongside the Hokitika River.

A pause on a 427 percent increase in electricity transmission charges for more than 4800 Buller consumers was welcomed Friday by the mayor.

A billion-dollar business that underpins the West Coast economy is under threat for want of better flood protection on the Hokitika River.

One West Coast councillor offered to pay for a temporary fix to Wanganui River after flooding badly affected his neighbours.

The West Coast Regional Council says its river projects are under threat as government grapples with the fallout of Cyclone Gabrielle.