Dentist struck off after piercing woman's cheek
One patient suffered extreme pain after a piece of tooth was left in his gum, and another person was hospitalised after her cheek was pierced with an airflow polisher.
West Coast
Five moreporks found sick or injured; Doc urges vigilance
Five moreporks found sick or injured; Doc urges vigilance
Injured morepork (ruru) being found on the West Coast are either being hit by cars or poisoned by common household rodent bait, the Department of Conservation (Doc) says.
Minister not impressed with council
Minister not impressed with council
Resources Minister Shane Jones has challenged the West Coast Regional Council to explain why it exists if it cannot approve mining consents in a reasonable timeframe.
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Community rallies around family after home burns down
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Community rallies around family after home burns down
A young Grey Valley family, left homeless after a terrible chain of events last week, has had offers of help pouring in from the wider community.
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Councillor denies privacy breach
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Councillor denies privacy breach
The West Coast Regional Council is alleging a privacy breach involving its former chairman after correspondence from a mining company ended up in the media.
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‘Dire’ budget shortfall has former mayor speaking up
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‘Dire’ budget shortfall has former mayor speaking up
Former mayor Tony Kokshoorn has rebuked the Grey District Council for a $6 million budget shortfall, which he describes as "dire".
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Bids sought for work on key SH6 bridge to Haast
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Bids sought for work on key SH6 bridge to Haast
Bids will be sought from contractors in preparation for works around a crucial West Coast highway and bridge as riverbank degradation continues.
Gold-mining company ordered to cease work by council
Gold-mining company ordered to cease work by council
A gold-mining company shut down without notice has challenged the West Coast Regional Council to explain why it has put workers in limbo and capital at risk.
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Council comes to Regent Theatre’s rescue, taking over $656,000 loan
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Council comes to Regent Theatre’s rescue, taking over $656,000 loan
The West Coast Theatre Trust, which runs the Regent Theatre in Greymouth, has been thrown a ratepayer lifeline, the Grey District Council having taken over the theatre’s existing $656,000 loan for...
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Elderly man upset to be focus of murder inquiry
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Elderly man upset to be focus of murder inquiry
An elderly Kakapotahi resident says he is flummoxed and upset to find he is the centre of police attention over a local cold case murder inquiry.
Elderly man fears police are 'framing him' over cold case
Elderly man fears police are 'framing him' over cold case
An elderly man says he is being treated as the prime suspect in the decades-old West Coast cold case killing of David Robinson.
No govt solution to future: Jones
No govt solution to future: Jones
The Minister of Regional Development has stepped away from the government having a role in master-planning for the future of Franz Josef.
Hundreds of stolen pounamu pieces returned
Hundreds of stolen pounamu pieces returned
Hundreds of pieces of stolen pounamu from a remote West Coast river will be returned to the local hapū in what Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio describes as a small win against the greenstone black market.
Fate of Franz Josef southbank not ours to decide: council
Fate of Franz Josef southbank not ours to decide: council
The long-term fate of Franz Josef farms, homes and businesses on the south bank of the Waiho (Waiau) River lies with the Westland District Council. That was the message to regional councillors this week.
Mining firm offers iwi concessions
Mining firm offers iwi concessions
A hearing for a large-scale mineral sands mining venture on the outskirts of Hokitika began this week with Westland Minerals Sand (WMS) proponents revealing several new amendments.
Fight against resource consent application to cost ratepayers
Fight against resource consent application to cost ratepayers
The Grey District Council will need to spend at least $60,000 to make its case against the latest resource consent application by the Taylorville Resource Park (TRP Ltd).
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Bay’s wharf upgrade to stay in long-term plan
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Bay’s wharf upgrade to stay in long-term plan
A $4 million upgrade of the Jackson Bay wharf — the only deep-sea port on the West Coast — may be a contender for co-funding with the government.
Influential West Coast cop honoured
Influential West Coast cop honoured
A police officer made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in Monday's King's Birthday Honours says she is humbled and deeply honoured to be recognised.
Fatal motorcycle crash on West Coast
Fatal motorcycle crash on West Coast
A motorcyclist has died following a crash in the Harihari Highway (SH6) on the West Coast this evening, police have confirmed in a statement.
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Leaders open to council merger
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Leaders open to council merger
A "mega merger" of the West Coast’s four councils into a unitary structure is not off the cards, local government leaders say.