'One dentist can't keep up': Buller mayor
The Buller mayor says people in Westport are having to wait up to six weeks for dental appointments because there is only one dentist.
West Coast
Manslaughter charge laid after motel death
Manslaughter charge laid after motel death
A man is now facing a manslaughter charge following a death in Westport earlier this year.
Flood schemes increase council debt
Flood schemes increase council debt
The West Coast Regional’s core debt is about to rise by another $3 million to $27.15 million, as the council continues to draw down loans to fund flood protection.
Protesters leave coal bucket above Denniston Plateau
Protesters leave coal bucket above Denniston Plateau
Two protesters who spent three weeks in a giant coal bucket high above native bush of the Denniston Plateau have now descended.
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Couple defrauded people they knew: police
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Couple defrauded people they knew: police
A couple accused of a $1million fake cancer swindle used stories of expensive treatment and locked overseas funds to string their victims along, police say.
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Lake boardwalk taking shape
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Lake boardwalk taking shape
Work on the final section of the 15km Lake Brunner Scenic Trail is ramping up with a new 400m boardwalk taking shape on the southwestern side of the lake at Mitchells.
‘Critical mass’ of experience needed
‘Critical mass’ of experience needed
Filling up to 1200 new West Coast mining jobs in the next few years will require a "critical mass" of mining industry experience to mentor people new to the sector, Minerals West Coast says.
Surprise at leader’s resignation
Surprise at leader’s resignation
A former Gloriavale member says he is surprised to hear its disgraced leader has resigned.
'Not a safe place': Commissioner wants Gloriavale school closed
'Not a safe place': Commissioner wants Gloriavale school closed
The Children's Commissioner is calling for the urgent closure of Gloriavale Christian School on the West Coast, saying she has zero confidence that students are safe.
Person in old hospital grounds before blaze: police
Person in old hospital grounds before blaze: police
Police investigating a suspicious fire at the former Seaview hospital in Hokitika want to identify a person seen walking in the grounds.
Man killed in West Coast highway crash named
Man killed in West Coast highway crash named
A man who died in a crash on a West Coast highway in June has been named.
Controversial West Coast mine has fast-track bid declined
Controversial West Coast mine has fast-track bid declined
Te Kuha Mine on the West Coast has had its application for fast-track approval declined, after failing to meet seven of the application criteria.
Fire at former hospital in Hokitika treated as suspicous
Fire at former hospital in Hokitika treated as suspicous
A fire at the former Seaview Hospital in Hokitika is being treated as suspicious.
Breach means 5 more years of air quality monitoring
Breach means 5 more years of air quality monitoring
Reefton's air quality will have to be monitored for another five years after pollution from smoky chimneys breached national safety standards this winter.
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Reform promise to bring council ‘back into line’
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Reform promise to bring council ‘back into line’
Candidates rallying behind Allan Birchfield under a "Reform" banner promise to bring the West Coast Regional Council "back into line".
Olive branch offered over parking fees
Olive branch offered over parking fees
The Department of Conservation has offered a compromise over parking fees at Punakaiki's Pancake Rocks after strong objections from locals.
Protester claims mine worker fired gun to scare him
Protester claims mine worker fired gun to scare him
A climate activist camped in a coal bucket suspended high above the ground near a West Coast mine claims one of the site's workers fired a shotgun to scare him off.
Tramper's bank accounts recently drained by scammers
Tramper's bank accounts recently drained by scammers
In a bizarre twist in the so far fruitless search for missing Runanga pensioner Roy Arbon, it has been revealed his bank accounts were recently emptied by Nigerian scammers.
Big push at weekend fails to find tramper
Big push at weekend fails to find tramper
Despite 1700 hours of intensive searching, a West Coast tramper remains missing 10 days after setting off on a planned day walk.
Man charged as homicide investigation begins
Man charged as homicide investigation begins
A man has been arrested and charged in relation to a homicide investigation in Westport.