West Coast
Rising star: Rugby player Ashlee Forsyth
Making the Tasman Mako's rugby team has taken a huge amount of commitment and sacrifice from 17-year-old Buller High School student Ashlee Forsyth and her whānau.
'It's bloody hard': Farmer aghast as some Coasters face rates increases over 23pc
West Coast ratepayers now face among the biggest rates increases in the country.
A green fingered grower with tunnel vision
Adrian Merhten's hydroponic journey began 20 years ago after being inspired by a local vegetable grower. He was a baker then, but now he's known in Hokitika as "The Lettuce Man". Audio
Deadline for West Coast Plan submissions extended
A software error meant the latest versions of some summary documents were not showing updates, the council says.
Westport flood response: Bulk of new funding to be spent on ringbank for town
More details have been released showing how the government's $22.9 million package to support flood initiatives will be spent in Westport.
Gang list surge not proof of increased membership - police
A National party candidate says the growing National Gang List is evidence of Labour's 'soft-on-crime approach', but police say it's not that straightforward.
The region facing a 16% rates rise
West Coast ratepayers will be walloped with a 16.42 percent rates increase after reluctant agreement today by the regional council.
Salvage of Waiuta miners' cottage a ‘complex job’
Work by the Department of Conservation to save a miners cottage once home to noted West Coast photographer Jos Divis is "a complex job".
Tapu status of Lake Māhinapua asserted
A challenge by mana whenua to acknowledge the tapu of Lake Māhinapua near Hokitika has been raised with the Te Tai o Poutini Plan.
West Coast leaders mixed on council reform
West Coast council leaders say they agree change is needed for local government but will wait to see if they will be forced into amalgamation.
Hokitika agreement 'actively' benefits community
West Coast Regional Council has approved an agreement for a dairy company to pay nearly $1.5 million as part of the Hokitika River flood protection work.
Environmental complaints dismissed as 'whinging' by councillor
An increase in environmental complaints to the West Coast Regional Council has been dismissed as whinging and moaning by councillor Allan Birchfield, who was sacked as the chairperson in April.
DOC managing over 300 contaminated sites on West Coast
The Department of Conservation has 305 potential or fully identified contaminated sites across the West Coast.
Tramper's death prompts warning over risks of hiking alone
Stephanie Simpson died in 2020 near the Brewster Track in the Mount Aspiring National Park.
Council has 'turned a corner' - new CEO
Darryl Lew, the West Coast Regional Council's fourth chief executive in three years, says he believes the council has "turned a corner".
Petition calls for Gore chief executive Stephen Parry to resign
It was just last month the Gore District Council came close to voting no confidence in his rival, 24-year-old mayor Ben Bell.
Conservation Minister outlines expectations to West Coast board
The West Coast Conservation Board has been reminded to be "active and visible" in the next year to advance a community voice at the table.
DOC questioned over justification of track closures
How the Department of Conservation "rationalises" which tracks to reinstate after natural disasters has been questioned, although its West Coast boss admits it comes down to the money.
Cyclone Dovi: Heaphy should be fully reopen by October, DOC says
The Department of Conservation has significant work under way on the West Coast to mop up damage to tracks as a result of Cyclone Dovi in February 2022.
Composting barn better for cows and land, says Karamea farmer
Frano Volkman's cows will soon be snuggling up on a thick bed of woodchips and sawdust in their new 6,300m2 composting barn. The organic fertiliser formed underneath Volkman's herd will be spread onto… Audio
