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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.
West Coast
Huge haul of West Coast pounamu recovered
Huge haul of West Coast pounamu recovered
A large amount of pounamu stolen from a West Coast river this week has been recovered, police say.
'It stinks': Weary locals gear up for another dump fight
'It stinks': Weary locals gear up for another dump fight
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.
Councillor springs to defence of Trump
Councillor springs to defence of Trump
If Donald Trump ever found himself on the West Coast, he could count on at least one fan to roll out the regional council welcome mat.
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‘Pike River’ trailer released, first screening in Sydney
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‘Pike River’ trailer released, first screening in Sydney
Greymouth is set to host the New Zealand premiere of the upcoming Pike River film this October, although it will screen first at the Sydney Film Festival next week.
Gloriavale offer of apology to abuse victims a 'PR stunt'
Gloriavale offer of apology to abuse victims a 'PR stunt'
Gloriavale's public offer to personally apologise to victims of abuse at the Christian community has been exposed as a PR stunt after leaders refused to say sorry, former members say.
Locals urge Doc not to scrap road to historic goldmine
Locals urge Doc not to scrap road to historic goldmine
Reefton business people are urging the Department of Conservation not to scrap a $10 million road to an historic goldmine that is set to become a visitor drawcard.
New system to improve wait times
New system to improve wait times
A new Great Walks booking system has reduced waiting time online to a few minutes according to the Department of Conservation.
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Oh deer ... crashes mount up
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Oh deer ... crashes mount up
Greymouth panelbeaters are seeing an influx of crumpled cars from collisions with deer on roads throughout the West Coast in recent weeks.
Help sought over 'suspicious' house fire
Help sought over 'suspicious' house fire
Police are appealing for information as they investigate a "suspicious" house fire in Cobden.
West Coast mayors welcome anti-abuse guide
West Coast mayors welcome anti-abuse guide
Grey District mayor Tania Gibson says anyone thinking of standing for council in September should work out in advance how they will handle personal abuse. Especially if they’re women.
Executive defends consultant use
Executive defends consultant use
West Coast Regional Council chief executive Darryl Lew is defending the council’s use of consultancy firms for resource consents, while also hitting back at criticisms made from Cr Allan Birchfield.
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Recognition for daring rescue of tramper
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Recognition for daring rescue of tramper
Two Greymouth critical care paramedics were recognised this week for the daring rescue of a tramper trapped between two boulders in a swift-flowing river.
Rare land snail filmed laying an egg
Rare land snail filmed laying an egg
A Department of Conservation ranger caring for a population of Powelliphanta augusta snails in Hokitika has for the first time caught a snail laying an egg on video.
Weka hitches 300km ride to Christchurch
Weka hitches 300km ride to Christchurch
A weka nicknamed Ranger has been returned to the West Coast, after climbing into a ute and hitching a 300km ride to Christchurch.
Tourist dies after house bus wood burner left open
Tourist dies after house bus wood burner left open
A Coroner has found a fatal house bus fire might have been avoided if there had been clear instructions on how to use the wood burner.
'Not putting up with that s***': Table-thumping councillor storms out
'Not putting up with that s***': Table-thumping councillor storms out
Buller’s mayor Jamie Cleine is calling for civility after a councillor saw red and stomped out of a council meeting.
‘Freaked out’ to find sea snake
‘Freaked out’ to find sea snake
A live yellow-bellied sea snake washed up on a Hokitika beach is the second such encounter on New Zealand shorelines in as many days.
LOTR fan killed after accepting lift - inquest
LOTR fan killed after accepting lift - inquest
An inquest into the death of a UK backpacker on NZ's West Coat as concluded the cause to be a "road traffic collision".
Cave Creek: Still wondering what might have been
Cave Creek: Still wondering what might have been
Fleur Pawsey often thinks of the life her brother might have lived, if he hadn’t died at Cave Creek.