Stories by Brendon McMahon

Poutini Ngāi Tahu has defended Māori sites of significance after the Grey District called for them to be cut from the West Coast's proposed one district plan.

It follows an earlier rejection of an Australian mining company's proposal to mine mineral sands from Barrytown Flats north of Greymouth.

The Fast Tracks Approvals Bill has been given a big tick by the West Coast Regional Council, saying it will lead to more jobs, and despite what others say, has environmental safeguards in it.

There are still big gaps in the knowledge about the number of contaminated and environmentally hazardous sites on the West Coast.

An increase in West Coast Regional Council staff numbers to almost 80 has been called out by a senior councillor.

West Coast ratepayers face targeted rates well above the 27 percent or 44 percent general rates increase proposed by the regional council - particularly in Westport.

West Coast ratepayers face an either 27 percent or 44 percent rates hike after increases were "held artificially low for too long".

West Coast councillors are not happy after their own expert consultant expressed a view there was "no need" for a controversial sand mine proposal.

Ikamatua landowners ordered to remove pest pampas grass by the West Coast Regional Council are upset at a "bolshie approach".

Concern over lack of subsidised public transport on the West Coast.

Local communities will have a say on speed limits as the government scraps the "road to zero" safety campaign.

The regional council says West Coast whitebaiters owe it more than $40,000 in unpaid fees.

A meat processing plant is being investigated after the company admitted making up water monitoring reports.

Some landowners were recently caught by surprise when the proposed West Coast district 'one' plan deemed sections of land as Outstanding Natural Landscape.

Mining company TiGa has reapplied for a resource consent for an open-cast mine at Barrytown, north of Greymouth.

A swastika painted on Kirwans Hut was among the "mindless" vandalism at huts.

West Coast leaders have called for more detailed information backing an updated coastal hazards rule for the region after submitters overwhelmingly opposed it.

Years of challenges to create an enduring memorial are finally overcome as families open a memorial track.

It came less than a year after the Backcountry Trust undertook a major revamp of the hut.

Company says its mine will bring more than 70 new jobs, but residents are worried about health and environmental risks.

Delays caused by KiwiRail are "a risk" to quickly advancing a flood protection wall for Hokitika, a council meeting has heard.

The West Coast Regional Council is reviewing its use of MetService weather forecasts in its hydrology and emergency planning after what has been dubbed two "over-estimated" rain warnings for the…

There are concerns a shifting river could threaten Franz Josef's sewerage ponds.

West Coast Regional Council is taking legal advice around consents it issued to enable a controversial private landfill.

The censured former chairman of the West Coast Regional Council has been allowed to return to a council committee.