Insurer halts new policies for Westport
The decision will be the first of many as the full force of climate change arrives, a researcher says.
West Coast
Parking at hotspots raises $214K in first month
Parking at hotspots raises $214K in first month
A $5 per hour parking fee at popular tourist spots on the West Coast and Canterbury raised $214,000 in its first month.
MP Maureen Pugh to ‘move on’
MP Maureen Pugh to ‘move on’
West Coast-Tasman’s National MP Maureen Pugh announced yesterday she will step away from politics at the general election in November.
Haast water restrictions lifted
Haast water restrictions lifted
Water restrictions have been lifted in Haast — one of the wettest places in the country.
Intimate photo poster sentenced
Intimate photo poster sentenced
A woman who had intimate images of her posted on social media by a former lover told the Greymouth District Court it had ruined her life.
Finding missing tramper involved 'huge amount of luck'
Finding missing tramper involved 'huge amount of luck'
A tramper who was found weeks after he disappeared in South Island bush had taken a wrong turn, police have revealed.
Sculpture sets scene for festival
Sculpture sets scene for festival
Okarito wood artist Cliff Goodwin stands beside his "signature sculpture" for Hokitika’s Driftwood and Sand Festival.
Extra lakeside parking planned
Extra lakeside parking planned
Improved parking is planned for Lake Matheson, near Fox Glacier.
Tourists flocking to remote West Coast settlement
Tourists flocking to remote West Coast settlement
The tiny south Westland settlement of Ōkārito sits on a lagoon which is one of New Zealand's most significant ecological treasures.
Man who shot at dog says he thought it was a deer
Man who shot at dog says he thought it was a deer
A man who shot at a dog being walked in a forestry block near Hokitika told police he thought it was a deer.
Driver, 7, loses control and crashes van
Driver, 7, loses control and crashes van
Emergency services responding to a vehicle crash on the West Coast were shocked to find the driver was 7 years old.
Unclear how sign destroyed
Unclear how sign destroyed
The often-photographed Hokitika driftwood sign was destroyed overnight on Sunday, leaving a sorry sight for crowds of visitors yesterday.
All Doc huts now coal-free as move to ‘greener’ alternatives completed
All Doc huts now coal-free as move to ‘greener’ alternatives completed
Department of Conservation (Doc) huts on the West Coast have officially ditched coal heating for "greener" alternatives, as part of a wider effort to cut emissions and reduce environmental impact.
Labour Inspector must release info to Gloriavale
Labour Inspector must release info to Gloriavale
The Employment Court has ruled the Labour Inspector must release advice it received from Crown Law about the employment status of people at Gloriavale on the West Coast.
Mistletoe thrives as possum numbers fall
Mistletoe thrives as possum numbers fall
Want to kiss your beloved with a Kiwi twist? Then head to the West Coast.
Gloriavale Christian School has registration cancelled
Gloriavale Christian School has registration cancelled
The Secretary for Education is cancelling the registration of Gloriavale Christian School.
Council faces costly dilemma over unconsented seawall
Council faces costly dilemma over unconsented seawall
The West Coast Regional Council will seek to legalise a rock wall it put up in haste to protect Hokitika properties from the sea.
Concern fees at hotspots will lead to unsafe parking
Concern fees at hotspots will lead to unsafe parking
Several groups are worried car parking fees at major hotspot will see tourists parking on the roadside, documents show.
'You stole my innocence': Victims confront disgraced ex-Gloriavale leader
'You stole my innocence': Victims confront disgraced ex-Gloriavale leader
The disgraced former leader of Gloriavale stole the innocence and childhood of the girls and young women he abused, a court has heard.
Jobs of council staff ‘safe’: mayor
Jobs of council staff ‘safe’: mayor
Uncertainty around local government reforms could lead to an "exodus" of council staff to Australia, a South Island mayor has warned.