Pike River Mine protesters ramped up their action this morning, fired up after a frustrating meeting with Solid Energy management in Greymouth yesterday.

A Greymouth man who told a German tourist that he would supply him with cannabis was convicted in the Greymouth District Court yesterday of obtaining money by deception - and ordered to pay the money back.

Pike River families say a meeting with Solid Energy's new boss over re-entering the mine was "insulting".

One of Westport's two resident midwives is leaving, saying her job is financially unsustainable.

One person died in a mid-morning crash between two trucks on the busy State Highway 65 near Springs Junction.

The new Westland District Council has rejected plans for a $6.5 million wastewater treatment plant at Franz Josef Glacier.

Buller's Integrated Family Health Centre (IFHC) is set to be completed in the first half of 2019 - more than four years later than originally planned.

Two Westport eateries which closed their doors in recent years will both reopen next month.

COMMENT: That a skipper with so much experience attempted to tackle that bar in such a huge swell just doesn't make sense.

Four Westport schools will lose thousands of dollars of yearly funding after again failing to convince the Ministry of Education to overturn their decile ratings.

Pike River protest action entered its 12th day today with Geotech in the firing line and further court action under way.

COMMENT: It's one of the toughest calls. Do you have some sympathy for the families of those who died? Or do you push them to one side and seal the mine?

Solid Energy is "disappointed" that Allied Concrete has decided not to supply the company to help seal the Pike River mine.

The pursuit of a Greymouth man through the Karoro Lawn Cemetery while brandishing a pool cue was recounted in the Greymouth District Court yesterday.

A Coal Creek family has lost everything when fire tore through their home at 3am.

The Department of Conservation has discovered a further 2864 submissions on the Waitaha River hydro scheme caught in its email spam filters.

Early morning fire badly damages Greymouth home.

The West Coast Wildlife Centre at Franz Josef Glacier has hatched its 101st Haast tokoeka kiwi chick.

West Coast had highest rate

An alternative inland route for ferry traffic has been established running from Picton to Christchurch, via Murchison and the Lewis Pass.

A last-ditch bid to allow Mines Rescue to explore the Pike River Mine drift before it is sealed permanently has been abandoned.

The old Ngahere Hall has survived the indignity of a car crashing through the wall to end up wedged under the stage.

West Coast police today advised motorists to take extra care when driving through the Lewis Pass and Maruia Valley on SH7 and SH65 as traffic numbers build up.

Tourists are heading to the South Island's West Coast in their droves after the devastating east coast earthquake.

Heavy truck traffic is expected to increase through the West Coast after the 7.5 magnitude earthquake.

Scientists investigating the mechanics of the earthquake say it faulted in the same way the February 22, 2011, Christchurch Earthquake did.

There is no doubt in Daniel Rockhouse's mind that he and Russell Smith were not the only two who survived the first Pike River mine explosion.

The sealing-off of the Pike River mine has been delayed for a week to allow families to mark the sixth anniversary of the disaster.

It's beginning to feel like summer in some parts of the country, with pohutukawa bursting into bloom. "People have been getting a

Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse are calling for the mine not to be sealed in the hope the bodies of their loved ones will one day be recovered.