100 days in: How new mayors are coping
It's been 100 days since mayors in cities and districts took up their roles. RNZ's Andrew McRae looks at how some new ones are coping, with all saying the hard work's just begun.
Regions
The West Coast councillors who got a 41% pay rise
The West Coast councillors who got a 41% pay rise
A whopping pay rise of 41% has raised eyebrows around the West Coast.
Whitebaiters say refuge proposal goes too far
Whitebaiters say refuge proposal goes too far
The Government’s proposed changes to whitebaiting rules are largely good - apart from plans to designate nearly all West Coast rivers as refuges, the West Coast Whitebaiters Association says.
‘Kelly Ann’ bailed out enough for lifting
‘Kelly Ann’ bailed out enough for lifting
The boat which unexpectedly sank at the Greymouth Fishermen's Wharf on Tuesday night was lifted out of the water yesterday after frantic bailing by its owner who had to get the wooden craft as...
Four workers got excess 1080 exposure
Four workers got excess 1080 exposure
Four workers on the West Coast were exposed to 1080 above the maximum daily limit, the Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) recent annual report on the aerial use of the poison says.
Two truck and trailer units destroyed by fire
Two truck and trailer units destroyed by fire
Two Aratuna Freighters truck and trailer units were destroyed in an early morning fire in Greymouth yesterday.
Not known why pleasure vessel sank
Not known why pleasure vessel sank
Greymouth-owned pleasure boat Kelly Ann sank at its moorings at the Fishermen's Wharf in the Blaketown lagoon on Monday night.
Runanga Miners’ Hall strengthening to start
Runanga Miners’ Hall strengthening to start
More than five years after the Runanga Miners' Hall was abandoned following storm damage, a $1.1million project is finally under way to strengthen the building before a major rejuvenation.
Track workers’ resilience and skill ‘massive’
Track workers’ resilience and skill ‘massive’
The long-awaited Paparoa Track opens this summer. Greymouth Star reporter Helen Murdoch talks to some of the builders who endured 6m of rain, lightning and snow to create a track to remember.
West Coast council expects profits from 1080
West Coast council expects profits from 1080
The West Coast Regional Council says its investment in a 1080 poison factory in Canterbury is a sound one that will deliver increasing returns as the government ramps up its efforts to eradicate...
Influx through reopened Haast route
Influx through reopened Haast route
The reopening of the only highway through Westland has come as a relief to the mayor, who says the tourists have returned.
Hospital finishing dispute drags on till at least Easter
Hospital finishing dispute drags on till at least Easter
With the opening of the new Greymouth Te Nikau Hospital now looking like Easter at the earliest, National Party list MP Maureen Pugh has written to the Prime Minister asking her to speed things along.
Yellow haze at South Island glaciers
Yellow haze at South Island glaciers
Smoke from Australia's bushfires drifting over the South Island made landfall in Fox Glacier, covering the area in yellow ash patches, and was also experienced at Tasman Glacier.
Landmark to celebrate Hokitika's history
Landmark to celebrate Hokitika's history
Hokitika's historic port precinct is to get "ship-shape" over summer ready for the launch of a Tohu Whenua landmark as a historic site of national importance.
West Coast home to ancient giant trees
West Coast home to ancient giant trees
Philip Barker's Christmas wish of finding big trees has come true after he located massive matai and kahikatea trees near Lake Brunner and Lake Kaniere.
Vital evidence went unnoticed
Vital evidence went unnoticed
Of all the bad luck police had while trying to solve the murder of English hitchhiker Jennifer Beard, at Haast 50 years ago this New Year’s Eve, the lack of attention paid to a young Oamaru girl’s story was near the top of the list.
Rat and mouse numbers concern
Rat and mouse numbers concern
A science adviser to Zero Invasive Predators (ZIP) says mice and rats are running around West Coast forests in broad daylight, a sign that something is wrong, and has called for more 1080...
1080 poison drop fails to meet expectations
1080 poison drop fails to meet expectations
A 1080 drop at Maruia killed 79% of rats — not the 95% the Department of Conservation wanted.
Haast highway reopens after floods, landslips
Haast highway reopens after floods, landslips
The opening of the West Coast's Haast highway this morning is being welcomed as an early Christmas present for the region.
West Coast hurting from road closure
West Coast hurting from road closure
For the second time this year, a break in the state highway link is hurting West Coast communities and tourism operators, and some have recorded cancellations through to March.