Stories by Lois Williams

Covid-19 and its financial fallout has forced a rapid rethink of the Grey District Council annual plan.

The West Coast Regional Council may borrow money to avoid a rate rise this year, its chief executive says.

Community groups tasked with setting goals for water quality have had to stop work for the duration of the Covid-19 lockdown.

The West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board is bringing in a facilitator to help resolve a stand-off with its Māori members.

The Nature Heritage Fund's $6m budget needs a boost if it's to be used to buy up wetlands on private property, West Coast Regional Council's CEO says.

The West Coast will have its new base hospital finished next month and open by August, officials confirmed today.

West Coast District Health Board is taking a hand in the ordering of influenza vaccine around the region in an effort to improve supplies.

Local councils are trimming their budgets but stopping short of a rates freeze due to Covid-19.

Goldmining should be considered an essential service, West Coast Regional Council chairman and alluvial claim owner Allan Birchfield says.

The impasse over the completion of Te Nikau Grey Hospital is over -- courtesy of the Covid-19 emergency.

From midnight tonight civil authority on the West Coast will be vested in just two men and those they command.

A camping lobby group has complained to the ombudsman that Kaikōura's new freedom camping rules flout the law - and the Human Rights Act.

West Coast DHB flew 78 patients from Buller to other hospitals by helicopter last year - at a minimum cost of $5455 per trip.

The West Coast DHB is to take a closer look at cases of suicide in the region at the urging of two board members.

Residents of Kaikōura's east coast communities are pressing ahead with a bid to break away from the Kaikōura District Council and become part of Marlborough.

Resentment has reached boiling point on the West Coast over the government's determination to protect native flora and fauna on private land.

The West Coast District Health Board is planning to tackle a shortage of hospital doctors with a new breed of medics: rural generalists.

The Conservation Minister is ruling out compensation for West Coasters whose land has been newly classified as a significant wetland or natural area.

Preparation to open Te Nikau Grey Hospital and Health Centre begins this month.

West Coast landowners have wiped out more wetlands in the past 20 years than in any other region, Forest and Bird claims.

West Coast council mayors and chairs want changes to the their local conservation board, protesting that it's too "green". They've put up candidates they say would be a better fit.

Punakaiki people who want a community centre have mounted a blistering defence against a handful of locals who questioned their motives.

Buller District Council has lifted a 'boil water' notice for Reefton residents after tests showed the town reservoir is clear of E coli bacteria.

Punakaiki locals who have campaigned for a community centre in their village say submissions from some who oppose the project are so offensive they are seeking legal advice.