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.

Civil Defence said "contrary to some reports there is no 'imminent threat' to the West Coast from earthquakes".

The Buller District Council has delayed until next year a decision on whether to ban freedom camping at Punakaiki.

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.

Early morning fire badly damages Greymouth home.

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

Protesters were again moved off the Pike River Mine access road this morning.

Two women opposing the permanent sealing of the Pike River mine have made a desperate plea to contractors tasked with the job. Sonya

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.

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.

Family and friends of the Pike River 29 are protesting at the gates near the ill-fated West Coast mine in one final attempt to stop it from being sealed.

A District Court judge has refused to sentence a West Coast man over a cannabis growing operation because police had not considered the commercial aspect.

New Westland Mayor Bruce Smith, only a week into the job, has been caught out after delivering a speech using the plagiarised words of the US President.

A new book casts doubt on the history of the discovery of the West Coast's first payable gold.

Emergency works to reclaim the Hokitika spit, which is rapidly being eroded by the sea, are set to start this week.

Phoenix Coal has agreed to pay $46 million cash for Solid Energy's Stockton, Rotowaro and Maramarua mines.

Westland's new mayor has broken the mould by appointing two deputy mayors. Bruce Smith has appointed Latham Martin, the highest-polling