After extensive fire damage the Greymouth fishing boat Te Aroha has risen from the ashes and is back trawling off the West Coast.

There was a record downpour in Auckland, a tornado in Taranaki and "quake lights" above Wellington. Oh, and 2016 was likely also New Zealand's hottest year on record.

Pike River protestors have been told to move on and remove the gates they put up to block Solid Energy.

Runanga School has canned school camps and all outings for pupils in 2017 while it reviews education outside the classroom (EOTC) activities.

Hokitika woman Lisa Tumahai yesterday stepped into the top role of the billion-dollar Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu.

Environmental Protection Authority report finds a number of incidents on the West Coast including one where someone removed signs when baits were still toxic.

The Government today appointed a crown manager to the polytechnic, citing a significant financial deficit and declining student numbers.

Prime Minister Bill English has agreed to meet with the Pike River families to discuss a new plan to re-enter the coal mine.

COMMENT: As the owner of Pike River the Govt have the ultimate responsibility, and safety comes first. As much as you want it to be different, blocking roads doesn't change that.

After Jake Millar's dad died in the Fox Glacier plane crash, the 15-year-old wrote to Prime Minister John Key asking for his advice.

A Greymouth man wanted by police for breach of bail lost control of his vehicle at Taylorville late last night while trying to evade police.

West Coast Fish and Game have come to the aid of the Paringa Salmon Farm and cafe, which lost as many as 13,000 salmon after intruders tampered with the water supply.

A licence to fish for whitebait, much like the Fish and Game sports fishing licence, has been suggested as one way of managing the fishery.

A pair of overdue Canterbury trampers had a lucky escape from predicted bad weather last evening after their delayed arrival at the

Solid Energy has reiterated its decision not to re-enter the Pike River mine on day 23 of the protests.

The Paparoa National Park Management Plan has been approved, paving the way for the creation of the Pike 29 great walk and mountain bike track.

Solid Energy launches a PR offensive to outline why Pike River Mine cannot be re-entered and must be sealed.

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

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

Public toilet funding has been redirected to the Springs Junction loos which are struggling to cope with increased demand as traffic is diverted away from quake-damaged areas.

The Pike River Mine protest entered its 15th day today, with a second leading mine specialist backing a drift re-entry.

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.

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

Former New Zealand chief mines inspector Tony Forster said in an e-mail tabled in Parliament yesterday the Pike River Mine drift re-entry was feasible and he was personally prepared to go in.

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.