Stories by Max Frethey

Onyx bit a girl's lip, but he isn't dangerous, his owner says.

A group of Golden Bay residents claim a possible gold mine at Sams Creek would endanger the area's water.

Concerns have also been raised about the nearby Kaiteriteri Beach and a stormwater pipe, found with disease-causing organisms, which "is like a magnet for children".

Almost 70 percent of people want to be more involved in council decisions, but reaching the community to enable engagement can be a challenge.

With an average rates rise of 16 percent it's clear increases of that scale can't be absorbed long-term.

Christopher Luxon called for councils to "rein in the fantasies", manage spending, and focus on delivering their core services - but mayors say they already do this.

Regional leaders don't currently see a place for time-of-use charging in Nelson Tasman, but add that it shouldn't be ruled out in the face of future population growth.

Only 41 percent of Tasman residents feel safe when cycling despite extensive council investment into new cycleways.

A plan to ban sandwich boards from Nelson footpaths has sparked debate: businesses say they contribute to sales, but disability representatives say they're a hazard and reduce access.

Tasman's ward boundaries are more than just lines on a map - they determine how residents are represented in the district council, and soon they will be up for public debate.

A joint cemetery to serve both Nelson and Tasman communities is looking increasingly likely as burial space in the region continues to shrink.

While current investments into Nelson's cycling infrastructure are welcomed, advocates are disappointed that a popular coastal path is being "neglected".

It will be several weeks before a final recommendation is given on Nelson Airport's plans to extend its runway north after an "emotionally charged" hearing.

The boss of a popular Nelson campground has made an impassioned plea for long-term residents - many of them elderly - to be able to remain at Tāhuna Beach Holiday Park.

A lone turtle spotted in a Golden Bay lake has Tasman District Council rushing to ensure a population of pest turtles doesn't explode.

After six years in the "incredibly stimulating" role, Janine Dowding is handing the reins over at the end of the month.

A year after a unicorn sculpture was stolen from an iconic house on Nelson's Rocks Road, it has been returned, albeit "a bit worse for wear".

Contractors across Nelson Tasman have worked diligently in keeping the region's wastewater flowing, clearing blockages caused by all manner of strange items.

A Tasman farmer wants tougher rules for cats after toxoplasmosis devastated his flock of sheep, costing him $14,000 in damages.

Nelson City Council has approved half a million dollars of repair work for Stoke Library but the acting mayor describes the funds as a just another "band-aid" for the city's crumbling libraries.

Putting a stop to regional decline was a prevailing theme delivered by West Coast-Tasman's hopeful candidates during an election debate.

Climate change is already challenging a joint Nelson-Tasman wastewater treatment plant built on a low-lying island. Millions of dollars are proposed to be allocated in next decade to secure a site for…

One would think allowing the control of feral cats would be a simple move, but for the Nelson-Tasman region, it has not been easy.

The Nelson-Tasman region's two councils have thrown their weight behind the Nelson Airport's bid to host Air New Zealand's first commercial next-generation, low-emission aircraft.

A woman who cares for her paralysed husband has said that disabled facilities across the region are not adequate while councillors agree more needs to be done for accessibility.