Conservationists fighting a decision to allow an Australian mining company to dig for coal on the West Coast's Denniston Plateau have suffered a major setback today.

A High Court hearing gets underway in Christchurch this morning as environmental groups try more ways to stall mining on the Denniston Plateau.

A neighbour with a garden hose was unable to douse a garage fire early this morning which killed a man.

Australian mining company Bathurst Resources has passed a crucial hurdle to establishing an open cast coal mine on the West Coast's Denniston Plateau.

Arnott Heights residents hope to convince authorities to install a pedestrian crossing in the Greymouth suburb, but in the meantime one resident has painted their own.

A high-profile West Coast criminal lawyer who tried to beat a third drink driving conviction by putting coins in his mouth, and unplugging the breath-testing machine, has been suspended for three months and fined $12,000.

Mixed weather is expected in much of the country this week with people being told to prepare for wind and rain to hit - as well as occasional warm conditions.

High-profile West Coast criminal lawyer Doug Taffs has been suspended from practising law for three months for bringing the legal profession into disrepute.

A hospital has apologised to a West Coast woman who suffered horrific burns when near-boiling water burst inside her during a procedure.

The Greymouth Coastguard took about 45 minutes to get to the wreck of the Lady Anna; after the skipper had been pulled from the water and pronounced dead.

The devastated father of the skipper, killed today when his boat capsized near Greymouth, has spoken about the pain of losing is only son in the tragedy.

Civil Defence officials say there could be up to 10,000 casualties when the Alpine Fault ruptures sometime in the next 50 years - and 1000 could be fatal.

An accused sex offender from the West Coast was able to adopt a new name and flee to Australia because a Ministry of Justice employee ticked the wrong box on a form, an internal review has revealed.

Officials are investigating a proposal which could lead to the Pike River mine being turned into an opencast coal pit stretching into a national park.

Prime Minister John Key has denied that the Solid Energy crisis and Telecom job cuts are a black mark against the Government's handling of the economy.