Police have charged a 22-year-old man with arson in relation to three fires in Westport's main street in recent months.

Buller suffered a mini-tornado, lightning strikes and power cuts this morning as thundery squalls swept through the district.

A 60km police chase of four youths speeding in a stolen car through West Coast valleys yesterday afternoon ended when the vehicle left the road.

A honey cart owned by a New Zealand man facing cocaine trafficking charges in Australia has been taken by a man who claims to be owed $5000.

Three tornadoes, hail as big as a tennis ball and 2000 lightning strikes were reported on the West Coast yesterday -- with another front forecast to strike later today.

Wild winds sweeping the country have caused serious disruption to flight schedules, caused power outages and closed roads this evening.

A grassroots rugby team have been accused of making racist remarks about Polynesian rugby players during a local game.

Severe weather on the West Coast has caused a creek to burst its banks and forced the closure of some roads in the area.

Searchers looking just north of Hokitika for one of the rarest vertebrate animals in the country have struck gold.

Company says latest Solid Energy cuts not a 'slash and burn exercise'.

A motorcyclist has died after a collision with a truck on the West Coast this morning.

Elisabeth Easther strikes gold for visitors to the West Coast's former mining town.

Labour has called the mental health system "increasingly desperate" after a man suffering from depression went missing for the second time in less than two months.

Bronwyn Sell finds the natural wonders of the West Coast can match the Big Five of any safari.

Police say it will take a while to complete their investigation into the Gloriavale Christian Community after it was revealed five children were taken into CYF's care.

Punakaiki's pancake rocks are enough to make Elisabeth Easther flip out.

An alleged drug-driver was caught with a weapon and a stash of drugs after a member of the public raised concerns about her driving on a West Coast highway.

Report from nine years ago warned Northern Buller residents to move within a decade. Problem is, residents say they never got it.

Gold mines built the town now famous for its carnivorous snails, says Elisabeth Easther.

The West Coast should be offering to take 200 Syrian refugees, says West Coast-Tasman MP, Damien O'Connor.

The worst winds since Cyclone Ita battered the West Coast last year are forecast to hit the area tomorrow - the first day of the whitebait season.

The West Coast fishing season opens at dawn tomorrow, but one of the biggest whitebait buyers in South Westland says he is not holding his breath for a bountiful season.

At least two classrooms at South Westland Area School, in the small West Coast town of Hari Hari, were destroyed in a fire last night.

Solid Energy acting chairman Andy Coupe admitted it was "unlikely" that any sale, or sales, would cover its outstanding debt.

Drink-drivers tested police patience throughout the West Coast at the weekend.

Mr Key said Solid Energy had $300 million of outstanding debt and was in a "precarious position".

Illicit drug use is rampant in the West Coast workforce, with methamphetamine the drug of choice, according to recent tests.

More than 20 jobs will be lost when Downer closes its West Coast offices at the end of August.

Human remains were found in the rubble of the ruined remote property yesterday.