A West Coast Civil Defence warning of a possible big earthquake on the Coast was a "misinterpretation of the facts" caused by lack of training and understanding, says an independent report.

A Carters Beach family left the seafront yesterday afternoon just minutes before a freak wave flooded the adjacent domain, scattering huge logs like matchsticks.

Unionised resident doctors are reported to be working through the strike at some hospitals.

Residents in parts of the country have been warned to brace for widespread flooding, slips and fast-rising rivers as the mid-week weather system hits.

Shelly Crooks, 36, hasn't been seen since December 22 after telling a friend she was going to hitchhike from Punakaiki to Opotiki.

Doctors' strike at 18 DHBs to disrupt care for thousands of patients

A museum replica of the Seddon family homestead that once stood in Kumara has been suggested for the historic site.

A Westport publican was knocked out, his nephew suffered a broken jaw and a friend was badly bruised in a fracas early yesterday morning.

A minute's silence will be observed in Greymouth on Thursday to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1967 Strongman Mine disaster which claimed 19 lives.

The Kaikoura earthquake badly hit tourism spending in the region but national figures are brighter.

A 58-year-old Dillmanstown man recently sentenced to home detention for drink-driving was arrested in Kumara early today after he cut off his electronic monitoring belt.

The now former police sergeant ordered another officer to fire a Taser in a 'flagrant abuse of his power' and he was also convicted for careless driving in 2014.

Police should not have twice Tasered a drunk West Coast man, authority rules.

Free tourist access to attractions like Punakaiki's Pancake Rocks and the Cape Foulwind seal colony is too costly for ratepayers, says Buller Mayor Garry Howard.

Buller's Old Ghost Road trail is proving so popular one of its huts is already almost booked out for the rest of the summer.

The Franz Josef Glacier heliport is among the busiest in the country with up to one helicopter movement every minute at the peak of season.

Kiwis cautioned after brazen robbery in Bali leaves West Coast woman without passport, travel documents, phone and money cards.

Actor and film director Ian Mune slammed the Government today as he joined protesters at the Pike River Mine entrance.

Hundreds of tourists are milling around downtown Greymouth at weekends and evenings.

The West Coast has held on to its dubious record as the wettest place in New Zealand, albeit in the Southern Alps.

Motorists travelling between the West Coast and Canterbury today were urged to go through Lewis Pass after an early morning fire at

A director of the West Coast water export company - which finds itself at the centre of a public maelstrom 25 years after resource

Three people were injured, one critically, in a two-car collision late yesterday near Lyell, reducing State Highway 6 through the

Victim was allegedly struck around the side of the head with a heavy drinking vessel after argument between friends.

Alpine Pure last year renewed its consents with the West Coast Regional Council, and has applied to do the same with the Westland District Council.

My observant husband spotted the American actor Harvey Keitel in the crowd at an outdoor opera event.

Film stars Sacha Baron Cohen and his wife, Australian actor Isla Fisher, were among the happy campers at Punakaiki over the Christmas season.

There is so far no end in sight to the bad summer weather being experienced on the West Coast.

Controversial pipeline would carry water under land and the seabed, pumped into ocean tankers.

Harbourmaster not happy after rescuing then being abused by a local yachtie who attempted to cross the closed Westport bar on New Year's Day.