Latest from West Coast

Watch NZH Local Focus: Hearing on Taranaki seabed mining proposal opens

Trans-Tasman Resources is proposing to mine 50 million tonnes of iron ore per year off the coast of Patea in south Taranaki. Made with funding from NZ On AIr.

'Not enjoying prison van trip' excuse fails

An alleged offender who is currently detained off the West Coast will have to appear in the Greymouth District Court next month despite submissions from his lawyer that he does not enjoy the prison van trip.

Remorseless assaults: Teen jailed 8 months

A teenager who showed no remorse for assaulting five people, including a police officer, will spend the next eight months behind bars.

Large sinkhole 'not an easy fix'

A large sinkhole which appeared yesterday caused consternation among residents of a Punakaiki neighbourhood.

PM: Pike River mine will not be sealed

Pike River families say a commitment to leave the coal mine unsealed and inspect it with drone technology falls short of their requests, but is still "very positive".

Pike River families meeting PM

Pike River families are meeting with Prime Minister Bill English for the first time this afternoon.

Sunnier outlook ahead for West Coast

The West Coast may finally be in line for more better days than bad ones next month, a national forecaster says.

Forest & Bird challenges coalmine decision

Forest & Bird has mounted a court challenge over a decision by the Buller District Council to allow an open-cast coalmine on 100ha of public reserve land behind Westport township.

Franz Josef: Waiho bridge needs fresh lift

The Waiho (Waiau) River bridge at Franz Josef Glacier will be lifted yet again this winter, at a cost of $1.6 million.

Bring your toothbrush next time — judge

About 40 per cent of offenders sentenced to community work in Greymouth do not bother turning up, the Greymouth District Court heard last week.

Emotional silent protest at Pike River

Twenty-nine figures stood in silence on the Pike River Mine access road this morning - each decked out in overalls, work boots, miner's helmets and the name tags of the 29 men who died in the 2010 mine disaster.

MP stokes campaign to relocate Kingston Flyer

West Coast-Tasman MP Damien O'Connor has stoked the campaign to relocate the historic steam train the Kingston Flyer to the West Coast.

Fire scuttles 17,000 Tranz Alpine trips

Kiwi Rail says 17,000 Tranz Alpine bookings are affected by the closure of the Midland Line after bridges were badly damaged in a scrub fire at the weekend.

'West Coast rail link out for six weeks'

KiwiRail is offering full refunds to Tranz Alpine passengers as it anticipates the fire-hit rail link between Canterbury and the West Coast could be out for at least six weeks.

'I think people are looking for you'

An English visitor who found Shelley Crooks six weeks after she was reported missing describes the moment the pair met on a West Coast track.

PM to meet Pike River Mine families

Pike River Mine families have been granted a meeting with PM Bill English, on February 15, as Parliamentary committee considers sealing of mine.

How Crooks survived six weeks in bush

An outdoors survival expert says water and shelter were the keys to staying alive for unexpected and lengthy times in the bush.

Elderly woman swept out to sea drowns

A woman has died after being swept out to sea.