The fire was at a waste oil plant and engulfed half the building.
New Zealand
6:36am
Police said emergency services were called to the incident in Hokitika just before 9am.
Friday 3:52pm
1:30
The plan reorganises the South Island's 24 councils with five bigger ones.
Te Ao Māori
Friday 6:00am
The gold in the hills behind Reefton is about to be mined again at the brand new Snowy River mine, established by Australian company Endura.
Business
Thu, Aug 13
The whale measured 21.7 metres in length and was estimated to weigh around 20 tonnes.
Environment
Wed, Aug 12
Gale-force winds knocked down power-lines near the Whataroa River gorge, as firefighters were getting blown over by the strength of the wind.
Mon, Aug 10
From mergers to standoffs, councils nationwide raced to finalise Head Start proposals before Sunday's deadline.
Politics
MetService meteorologist John Law said people would "definitely need those extra layers, those gloves, and those woolly blankets" over the next few days.
Wed, Aug 5
The ACT party has said it wants the National Game Animal Council to be in charge of hunting game animals on conservation land, instead of DOC.
Thu, Jul 30
Rescuers were told the fall was likely to be unsurvivable but found the climber alive, hours after his companion braved a lone night climb to the 3033m summit to raise the alarm.
Wed, Jul 29
Operations at the privately-owned industrial landfill Taylorville Resource Park have continued, despite opposition from local residents and the Grey District Council.
Mon, Jul 27
Some districts are close to a deal. Others have walked away entirely. Here's where every part of the country stands with two weeks to go.
New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said State Highway 7 was closed between Greymouth and Stillwater due to flooding.
Fri, Jul 24
West Coast regional councillor Andy Campbell says wild animals should be taken for food rather than being left to rot on the forest floor.
Thu, Jul 23
MetService has downgraded its red heavy rain warning for parts of Marlborough and Canterbury to a yellow heavy rain watch.
Wed, Jul 8
Feral deer numbers are increasing on the West Coast and increasingly are encountered on the region's remote highways by motorists
Mon, Jul 6
Forest and Bird representatives claimed Bathurst Resources Ltd has been "greenwashing" in promoting Stockton coal for its special properties.
Fri, Jul 3
Police are investigating after one of the West Coast's most-photographed landmarks was deliberately dismantled.
Mon, Jun 29
Proposed reforms to reporting laws draw mixed views, with critics warning less frequent data could weaken environmental oversight.
Tue, Jun 23
Warnings blanket the South Island and lower North Island as heavy rain and strong winds trigger flooding and road disruptions on the West Coast.
Sat, Jun 20
Orange warnings cover Fiordland, Westland, Buller, Grey and Canterbury as an unseasonably warm but unsettled system moves in.
Fri, Jun 19
The West Coast Regional Council has been kept busy dealing with rule-breaking farmers, tyre fires and diesel spilling from a ship that ran aground.
Wed, Jun 17
It comes as the council has struggled to maintain the critical piece of infrastructure in the West Coast town.
Fri, Jun 5
Lightning has already lit up the skies over Nelson overnight, with severe thunderstorms and heavy rain now threatening large parts of the upper North Island.
Heavy rain and strong winds are battering large parts of the country, with Golden Bay in Tasman already recording nearly 280mm in 24 hours and more to come.
Mon, Jun 1
