West Coast

South Westland businesses say the border reopening dates mean they can start edging out of survival mode after two years of hanging on by their fingernails.

Financial uncertainty has not deterred some West Coast business owners who have taken the plunge and set up shop in the midst of the pandemic.

Two new midwives are expected to start work in Greymouth soon - a bright spot for the West Coast DHB in trying to recruit staff across a number of areas.

"Non-urgent" public health work by the West Coast-based Community and Public Health unit is on hold as staff are diverted to the national Covid-19 response, the West Coast DHB has heard.

An urgent $10m flood protection scheme for Westport could grow larger, with the cost falling on ratepayers if central Government doesn't contribute.

The Tourism Minister has acknowledged businesses are concerned about staffing ahead of the border reopening, but says support will be there.

A paramotor pilot who died on a flight on the West Coast was seen flying at a low height before the fatal accident. The CAA's now warning pilots to be aware of height requirements.

Some elderly, disabled and frail housebound West Coast residents have had their home-based care services cut for up to three months, apparently due to Covid-19.

Eleven of the endangered species have been found dead around the South Island since November - eight of them calves.

Reefton residents voiced their dismay amidst shouts of "bulls**t" at a protest last night at the sudden closure of the town's hospital aged-care wing, after some residents suddenly moved out of the…

Lack of progress on Westport flood protection is being blamed on "insufficient appetite" to actually get on and do it.

Extreme rainfall and flooding has left roading and infrastructure across the Buller District in a fragile state and in urgent need of repair before further heavy rain hits the region.

The Buller District Council says Westport and Carters Beach residents should boil all water before drinking and using it for food preparation, until further notice.

The Department of Conservation will fly in a four-person team to assess the damage caused to a Great Walk during recent flooding on the West Coast.

The Government is giving 200,000 dollars to the West Coast and the top of the South Island to help with the cleanup from two large floods in recent weeks.

The coast road to Westport State Highway 6 has reopened as the West Coast town appears to have escaped another flood with river levels dropping. Audio

MetService has upgraded its heavy rain watch for Buller and Westland to an orange warning.