Latest fromGreymouth
Anxious families head to Pike River mine
Families of the 29 men trapped in the Pike River coal mine near Greymouth on the West Coast are being taken to the site.
It begins as a normal day but ends in fear
While residents gather and families worry, hospital staff and funeral directors prepare themselves for all scenarios.
Mining experts question Pike River safety
International mining experts have raised concerns about safety issues at Pike River Coal which may have led to the explosion.
Old Coasters know the pain of waiting
West Coasters are known for their fighting spirit, which has been tested to the extreme this weekend.
Pike River Mine vigil: 'Hang on to hope'
A second night passes with no word from the 29 trapped miners in the Pike River mine. Families cling to hope as experts fear the worst.
No attempt to rescue trapped miners tonight - police
There will be no attempt to rescue 29 miners trapped in a West Coast mine tonight, with no further air quality sampling until tomorrow.
Pike River blast: Locals in limbo
West Coasters went about their business today hoping for the best but painfully aware of the grim record of tragedies in mining.
Mine blast: Air quality tests 'inconclusive'
Police say a bid to rescue or recover 29 miners trapped in a West Coast coal mine is on hold, and could begin at any time over the next two days.
Miner who avoided Pike River blast faces anxious wait
He avoided yesterday's Pike River blast by minutes - now a miner waits for news of trapped workmates.
Mine blast: How the Pike River rescue will work
Rescue crews will face a number of challenges as they work towards accessing the area where 29 coal miners are believed to be trapped.
Pike River Coal in the news
Since its announcement in 2005, the Herald has tracked the progress of the Pike River coal mine.
Men climbed chimney to escape mine
The two men who managed to get out of the Pike River mine clambered up a narrow chimney to escape.
Mine blast: Pike River collapse 'unlikely', says CEO
29 miners remain trapped underground after yesterday's blast at Pike River Coal's West Coat mine.
<i>Grant Bradley</i>: Miners inhabit a deep, dark, dank world
The Herald's energy reporter, who has visited Pike River, reflects on the project's delays, and now disaster.
Mine emergency: 'Our thoughts are with them'
Cabinet ministers were last night travelling to the Pike River Mine, as the Government offered assistance in the rescue of the trapped miners.
Pike River expected methane gas emissions
Methane gas has long been identified as a potential problem for the Pike River Coal mine, as rescuers scramble to find up to 27 missing miners.
West Coaster guilty of friend's manslaughter
A West Coast man has been acquitted of murder but found guilty of the manslaughter of his friend, following a four-day trial.
'Stunned' Lotto winner thought numbers were wrong
The Reefton winner of a $10.6m Lotto prize initially figured he must have read the Lotto numbers wrong, so put his ticket aside.
Teens die in tanker collision
A keg of beer was pulled from the wreckage of a sports car which crashed head-on into a milk tanker, killing two teenagers.