John Key has defended police in the wake of a damning report and a much criticised decision to end recovery efforts at Pike River Coal mine.

The West Coast's Fox River burst its banks today, forcing some residents and bach owners to evacuate, some of them carrying off possessions they wanted to save.

The father of a miner who died at Pike River has accused police and the Government of withholding information that shows bodies may be recovered intact from the explosion-hit coal mine.

Sealing the Pike River mine could see vital evidence lost, the lawyer for the families of those killed says.

Liz Light explores Westport; a town that owes its prosperity to the earth's bounty.

A police staff member wound up in a spat with Grey District mayor Tony Kokshoorn after finding him "wired" with a television recording device.

Police Commissioner Howard Broad has announced police are all but giving up hope of recovering the remains of the 29 Pike River miners.

The heads of police and the Department of Conservation will deliver news in person today to the families of the 29 dead workers in the Pike River mine.

Nzherald.co.nz is celebrating the best things about New Zealand. Today surfer Daniel Kereopa shares his favourite NZ beaches. What do you think?

Attempts will be made this weekend to seal cracks around the ventilation shaft at the Pike River Coal mine and stop gases leaking out - a critical step in the process towards stabilising the mine.

A man who allegedly posed as a Pike River miner to steal from a family who befriended him was remanded in custody when he appeared in court today.

Temperatures inside the Pike River Coal mine continue to fluctuate, frustrating those charged with retrieving the bodies of 29 men killed in a series of explosions since November 19.

A former New York policeman, who sang at the funerals of colleagues killed in the 9/11 terror attacks, will perform for the bereaved families next month.

Payouts will be made to the contracting companies that employed the men who died in the massive explosions at the Pike River coal mine, receivers announced today.

Pike River Coal's receivers say it could take up to four months to re-enter the mine in which 29 workers died in an explosion last month. Receivers PricewaterhouseCooper (PWC) today presented a draft plan for re-entry.