The Piper Cherokee Six, registration ZK-EBU, vanished on a scenic flight from Dunedin to Queenstown and Milford Sound on December 29, 1978.

Sonar sparks search for plane missing 48 years with seven aboard

A sonar target in Lake Moeraki has prompted hopes of finding a scenic flight that vanished near Milford Sound nearly 50 years ago.

Thu, Sep 17

Wild goats will be used instead of imported goat meat.

Goat recipes on show at West Coast 'Bush to Belly' event

West Coast branch of the Deerstalkers' Association hopes to change perceptions around wild goat.

Fri, Sep 11

The Makino floodgates have been activated near Feilding.

Floodgates activated, bridge on alert as heavy rain hits lower North

Heavy rain is raising river levels and causing disruption, with floodgates activated near Feilding and a Wairarapa bridge on alert.

Mon, Sep 7

The Children's Commissioner supported the Ministry's moves.

Gloriavale 'strongly disagrees' with Ministry's move to close school

The Ministry of Education announced yesterday that it had cancelled Gloriavale's registration as a private school and was pressing ahead with plans to shut it down.

Fri, Sep 4

The Ministry of Education is pressing ahead with plans to close Gloriavale Christian School, announcing today it had cancelled the school's registration as a private school.

Ministry moves to close Gloriavale school, cancels registration

The Ministry of Education has gone back to court to close the school at the West Coast commune.

Thu, Sep 3

Above average temperatures are most likely for the east and north of the North Island this spring.

One of strongest El Niños on record to drive warm, windy spring for NZ

Above average temperatures are most likely for the east and north of the North Island this spring.

Wed, Sep 2

August 2026
Franz Josef.

NZ tourist town lives with similar flood hazard as Nepal disaster

Researchers say a landslide-dam flood modelled for Franz Josef could unleash a sudden torrent.

Sun, Aug 30

The notice was triggered after a sample in Kaiata tested positive for E. coli.

Boil water notice in place for Greymouth after E. coli found

Notice in place for all residents in Greymouth, Cobden, Blaketown, Boddytown, Karoro, South Beach, Paroa, Kaiata, Dobson, Taylorville, Stillwater, Runanga, Dunollie, Coal Creek, and Rapahoe.

Fri, Aug 28

Commune alleged to have denied 61 workers’ basic employment rights for years.

Labour Inspectorate defends its handling of Gloriavale claims

Employment Court decisions in 2022 and 2023 found several former residents were employees, with the inspectorate seeking compensation and penalties on their behalf.

Thu, Aug 27

Snow blankets buildings in Aoraki/Mount Cook

Winter storm shuts South Island highways, avalanche risk climbs

Heavy snow, rockfalls and avalanche risk are disrupting travel across the South Island, with forecasters warning of more heavy rain and snow to come.

Thu, Aug 27

Gloriavale Christian Community on the West Coast.

'Forced labour': Former Gloriavale members file $40m employment claim

Sixty-one ex-residents allege they were subjected to forced child labour, forced labour and servitude while living in the West Coast religious community.

Wed, Aug 26

MetService has upgraded a heavy rain watch to an orange-level warning with up to 90mm of rain expected in 12 hours.

West Coast in the firing line as winter storm parks over the South

Heavy rain warnings have extended up the West Coast as a "significant winter storm" grinds to a halt over the South Island today.

Wed, Aug 26

A slow-moving system is set to dump up to 500mm of rain on Westland, while heavy snow threatens inland Canterbury and Otago, with major travel disruption possible.

South Island storm warnings issued as up to 500mm of rain forecast

A slow-moving system is set to dump up to 500mm of rain on the West Coast, while heavy snow threatens inland Canterbury and Otago.

Tue, Aug 25

Rain on the West Coast (file image).

'Significant winter storm' to stall over South Island from midweek

Days of prolonged rain will swell West Coast rivers before heavy snow closes in on inland passes later in the week.

Mon, Aug 24

The current weather warnings in place.

New and upgraded weather warnings as fronts bring wind and rain

A series of fronts "embedded within a strong and moist northwest flow" will move over New Zealand today and tomorrow, followed by a change to strong, colder southwesterlies.

Sat, Aug 22

MetService weather warnings and watches on August 21, 2026.

'A taster of spring': Fronts bring heavy rain, gales

MetService said a couple of fronts, embedded in a strong and moist northwest flow, will move over New Zealand across the weekend.

Fri, Aug 21

New builds are transforming Greymouth's town centre as the region's mining sector grows.

'Crest of a wave': Locals say mining boom bringing back 'old West Coast'

Salaries are outpacing the main centres and job growth is four times the national average — here's what's driving the turnaround.

Sat, Aug 15

The fire was at a waste oil plant and engulfed half the building.

One in hospital after crews battle blaze at Gloriavale community

The fire was at a waste oil plant and engulfed half the building.

Sat, Aug 15

Two people are dead following two seperate crashes in Northland last night.

One dead after Hokitika crash involving car, pedestrian

Police said emergency services were called to the incident in Hokitika just before 9am.

Fri, Aug 14

The gold in the hills behind Reefton is about to be mined again at the brand new Snowy River mine

West Coast gold mine recruiting after $400m development

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.

Thu, Aug 13

The huge whale was found washed up near Westport. (Source: Don & Ali Parish Photography)

Huge pygmy blue whale washes up dead on West Coast beach

The whale measured 21.7 metres in length and was estimated to weigh around 20 tonnes.

Wed, Aug 12

A truck toppled over due to high winds in south Westland.

'Nobody made a decision': road closure calls unheeded in violent storm

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

The country's local government map has been redrawn in a dozen different ways, some regions united, others deeply split, and a handful of councils refusing to move at all.

Who's merging with who? Councils reveal their amalgamation picks

From mergers to standoffs, councils nationwide raced to finalise Head Start proposals before Sunday's deadline.

Mon, Aug 10

A dusting of snow over the Remutaka Hill lookout.

'Couple of degrees colder': Severe frosts to grip New Zealand tonight

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

July 2026
Wild deer in Westland.

'Ludicrous': Farmers slam hunters' plan to target female animals

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