Tony Kokshoorn
South Island prepares for the traffic light system
A traffic light Christmas is on the way, but freedoms will depend on the level of vaccination.
So what can the South Island expect?
Timonthy Brown reports. Audio
Human remains found 2 days before 11th anni of Pike River
The discovery of human remains deep inside the Pike River Mine just two days out from the 11th anniversary of the disaster has caused an outpouring of emotion from the families of those who died… Audio
Record high gold prices prompts prospectors to try their luck
Record high gold prices have prompted hobby prospectors to dust off spades and pans and head to South Island rivers in the hope of striking it lucky.
The precious metal recently hit NZ$3000 an ounce… Audio
Tony Kokshoorn: 20 years in local government
During his 15 years as the Mayor of Greymouth, Tony Kokshoorn dealt with storms that tore up roads, a struggling economy and of course the Pike River Mine Disaster which claimed the lives of 29 men… Audio
Mayor disappointed about Westland Milk sale
The mayor of the Grey District Council is greeting news of the sale of Westland Milk to a foreign buyer as disappointing – but inevitable.
The Overseas Investment Office has approved the sale of the… Audio
West Coast calls for freedom from conservation mining ban
West Coast councils are lobbying the government to exclude the region from its mining ban on conservation land.
They want to wait until a category known as stewardship land has been reviewed and… Audio
West Coast farmers vote on Westland Milk sale to China
Emotions are expected to run high today as hundreds of West Coast dairy farmers vote on whether to sell their 150-year-old co-operative to a Chinese buyer.
Farmers say mismanagement of the company… Audio
West Coast mayor calls for mining options on DOC land
The Grey District Mayor, Tony Kokshoorn wants the conservation estate kept open for new mining projects on the West Coast.
A prohibition on new mines on DOC land was announced in 2017.
But a… Audio
Grey District mayor won't be at Pike River re-entry
Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn says he found out yesterday that the Pike River mine re-entry would go ahead tomorrow - but isn't surprised it will be a low-key event for families only. Video, Audio
Tony Kokshoorn welcomes $140m govt funding for West Coast
The West Coast is set to benefit from a major cash injection from the Provincial Growth Fund. The government has announced a $140 million package focused largely on tourism and economic development… Audio
Pike River re-entry 'excellent news' - Tony Kokshoorn
Grey District mayor Tony Kokshoorn says yesterday's Government decision to approve a re-entry of the Pike River Mine has come as a huge relief on the West Coast. Twenty-nine miners were killed in the… Audio
Freedom camping infrastructure gets boost in South
The South Island was the big winner in an eight-million dollar handout from the government to improve freedom camping infrastructure. Freedom camping has been a divisive issue with many regions… Audio
Salmon farming on West Coast hydro dam to start
A plan to develop salmon farming on a hydro dam on the South Island's West Coast had had the government sit up and take notice. The Greymouth fishing company Westfleet wants to have a commercial… Audio
Photo finish: Retirement not idyll for mayor with 'ants in his pants'
The longest-serving mayor in Greymouth's history and a keen amateur photographer has designs on a new career in the field when he steps down next year.
Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn announces retirement
The Grey District's long-serving mayor, Tony Kokshoorn, has announced he'll retire from politics next year when his current term ends.
Mr Kokshoorn says the mayoralty is a demanding job and he wants… Audio
Gita: West Coast endures another major storm
It's been a rough night on the West Coast, as ex-cyclone Gita headed across New Zealand from the Tasman Sea. Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn tells us there's a huge amount of campers up and down… Audio
State of emergency declared in Greymouth
Greymouth mayor Tony Kokshoorn says there's been a terrible crash in the area, and they're acting fast to get people help. They've declared a state of emergency to mobilise police and Defence Force to… Audio
Thousands of plastic bags unearthed by wild weather
Tens of thousands of plastic bags have been unearthed on a West Coast beach, sparking environmental concerns.
Prime Minister to consider new mining permits
A West Coast mayor says it's a relief to hear the coalition government will consider new oil, gas and mining permits, but he says it's alarming that conservation land remains off limits. Audio