Latest fromHokitika
![One dead in house bus fire on West Coast](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
One dead in house bus fire on West Coast
Emergency services attended the incident in Westland at 4am.
![West Coast state of emergency lifted, SH6 reopens](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
West Coast state of emergency lifted, SH6 reopens
The region prepared for what was expected to be torrential downpours overnight.
![Watch: State of emergency declared from Hokitika to Haast as West Coast weather intensifies](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Watch: State of emergency declared from Hokitika to Haast as West Coast weather intensifies
A heavy rain red warning is in place for Westland until Saturday morning.
![Wilderness Trail turns 10: Cycle route that revolutionised the West Coast](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Wilderness Trail turns 10: Cycle route that revolutionised the West Coast
Build it and they will cycle.
![West Coast’s rental market 'worst it’s ever been'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
West Coast’s rental market 'worst it’s ever been'
'I’ve never seen it like this before - it’s the worst it’s ever been.'
![Country music legend rushed to hospital](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Country music legend rushed to hospital
Country muso rushed to hospital, minutes before he was due to take the stage.
![China's Westland Milk posts $120m profit turnaround](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
China's Westland Milk posts $120m profit turnaround
Company hits billion-dollar revenue mark for the first time.
![Lightning strikes over South Island as rain drenches coast](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Lightning strikes over South Island as rain drenches coast
MetService lifted a severe thunderstorm watch for Westland and part of Fiordland.
![Cyclone Gabrielle: 10 of the worst tropical cyclones to hit NZ](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Cyclone Gabrielle: 10 of the worst tropical cyclones to hit NZ
Ex-tropical cyclones have wrought havoc in NZ. Here's 10 of the worst.
![‘We deserve answers’: Inquest into how man killed for second time](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
‘We deserve answers’: Inquest into how man killed for second time
An inquest for a murdered life coach and the dad of her killer's first victim has begun.
![$90k salary, picturesque site: Why have only 3 people applied for this job?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
$90k salary, picturesque site: Why have only 3 people applied for this job?
You'd think New Zealanders would be jumping on the new gold rush like it was 1865.
![Double tragedy: Joint inquest for double killer's victim and father of his first victim](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Double tragedy: Joint inquest for double killer's victim and father of his first victim
Shock news that Paul Wilson had killed again too much for first victim's father.
![Sunbed not at fault in Kiwi's tanning salon death](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Sunbed not at fault in Kiwi's tanning salon death
A specialist engineer found no fault with the sunbed Tauwhare could have used.
![Kiwi found dead at UK tanning salon, husband wants answers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Kiwi found dead at UK tanning salon, husband wants answers
The 30-year-old was discovered dead after more than two hours in her room at the salon.
![Alpine Fault: 'Likely to be huge' - Communities preparing for a rupture](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Alpine Fault: 'Likely to be huge' - Communities preparing for a rupture
There is a 75 per cent chance of an earthquake on the Alpine Fault in the next 50 years.
![Alpine Fault: Is NZ ready for quake longer, stronger than Chch?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Alpine Fault: Is NZ ready for quake longer, stronger than Chch?
There has been a major quake on the fault roughly every 300 years. The last one? 1717.
![Local sits on wanted criminal until police arrive](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Local sits on wanted criminal until police arrive
Gang member had evaded the armed offenders squad.
![Two more dead Hector's dolphins found on South Island beaches](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Two more dead Hector's dolphins found on South Island beaches
It makes 14 of the species found dead in the South Island since November.
![Weather records tumble in dry and warm March](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Weather records tumble in dry and warm March
Queenstown recorded its warmest March in 150 years.
!['Great relief': Buller mayor says they've escaped the worst, Kiri Allan praises response](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
'Great relief': Buller mayor says they've escaped the worst, Kiri Allan praises response
Parts of the Westland district recorded more than a metre of rain in three days.
!['Heartbroken': Upset as Westport evacuates again; Worst rain still to come](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
'Heartbroken': Upset as Westport evacuates again; Worst rain still to come
Evacuations underway as mayor warns locals they could be away for up to three days.