Latest fromWest Coast

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

Pike River victims' families to be told news tonight
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.

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

Expanding foam to seal mine cracks
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.

Thief posing as Pike River miner 'pulled heartstrings'
Police are on the lookout for a man who posed as a Pike River miner to steal from a family who befriended him on Christmas Eve.

Pike River families thank public and recovery crews
Families of the 29 men killed in the Pike River Coal mine tragedy have publicly thanked everyone involved in the rescue and recovery operation.

Pike River temperatures continue to fluctuate
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.

American tenor to sing for families of Pike River miners
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.

Contractors' families will be paid
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.

PWC: Four months to re-enter mine
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.

Pike River Coronial Inquest date set
The Coronial Inquest into the deaths of 29 men in the Pike River Coal mine will be held early next year, the chief coroner Judge MacLean says.

'Christmas cheer' payments for Pike families
Families of the men killed in the Pike River mine will be getting immediate financial relief to get them through Christmas.

Gas rises cause Pike River evacuation
Pike River Mine was evacuated this morning when gas levels rose sharply...

The white magic of Franz Josef Glacier
Glacier-walking's blend of beauty and adrenalin leaves Liz Light spellbound.