Latest from West Coast

Fire caused by faulty washing machine

A house fire in Franklin St yesterday afternoon, caused by a faulty washing machine, would have been far worse were it not for working smoke alarms.

Haast to Hollyford Road viability study initiated

A Government-initiated study has recommended fuller investigation "to clarify once and for all" if the Haast to Hollyford Road is viable.

NZ's infamous French hitchhiker: Good guy, bad day?

Frustrated Frenchman who made international headlines after being stranded in Punakaiki for four days has left vastly different impressions on his travels.

French hitchhiker: 'I'll thumb to court'

The French hitchhiker stuck for four days at a tiny West Coast town says he will hitch a lift to his next court appearance.

Tourism main job opportunity for West Coast

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy today released a detailed report on the Coast's economy.

Opening up low value conservation land key on West Coast

Steven Joyce and Nathan Guy release detailed report which outlines significant potential to attract new investment on West Coast.

French hitchhiker slams 'Nazi' Zealand

A French hitchhiker who spent four days trying to get a lift out of the West Coast without success plead guilty to damaging road signs.

French hitchhiker slams 'Nazi' Zealand

A Frenchman whose attempts to hitch-hike out of the West Coast landed him in court says New Zealand should be renamed "Nazi Zealand". Cedric

Hitchhiker waits 4 days, 'loses the plot'

Frustrated French hitchhiker ended up in handcuffs after road signs were hurled into the Punakaiki River and locals were abused.

Woman jailed for sex with boy, 14, named

A West Coast woman convicted of having sex with a 14-year-old boy and jailed for three years can now be named.

Hokitika: West Coast Walkway

Kim Knight felt the fear (and then walked it off) on a six-hour side-trip to Hokitika.

Train derailment causes delays on West Coast

Passengers on both the Tranz Alpine and the visiting Silver Fern railcar faced travel disruptions today after a derailment at Omoto early this morning.

Lightning hits Buller homes

'It frightened the life out of her. She thought the sky had fallen in,' says Westport resident of 87-year-old mother whose house was struck.

West Coast man in court facing threatening to kill charges

Charges stem from an incident involving two people who were collecting pounamu from the bed of the Arahura River, near man's home at Milltown.

'Massive' interest in Holcim Buller site

The sale of Holcim's Buller assets has created "massive" interest from prospective buyers, says the company handling the sale process.

Man admits mining for gold

Daniel Scheepers appeared in the Greymouth District Court yesterday charged with contravening the Minerals Act.

Dad still No 1 for Kiwi Housewives star

'Women in the North Island are more cut-throat, more competitive,' says reality TV star during visit down south.

No room in forest for thriving kiwi

A DoC programme to boost numbers of the world's rarest kiwi has been so successful they are now running out of room in the forest.