A small West Coast community has rallied around the parents of baby Emily Saunders who was swept into a swollen river as the search continues for her body.

A rock which is rarer than pounamu and found only in South Westland, is to be investigated to see if it can be sold commercially.

A woman working on a farm owned by her father and stepmother was forced to leave after a heated argument.

Police this evening announced they would no longer search for the body of the 2-year-old girl, who was swept away down the Poerua River last Thursday.

The search for missing two-year-old Emily Saunders has been put on hold until river conditions change.

The family of missing toddler Emily Saunders thanked the community for their support, calling the community's response to their family's tragedy "incredible."

Toddler was swept away while car she was in crossed West Coast river.

Bad weather means the search won't continue today for a 2-year-old washed away by strong currents in a West Coast river.

Police have suspended their search today for a missing 2-year-old on the West Coast, due to bad weather.

Majority of community members oppose proposals by regional council to fund sea wall extension via targetted rates hike.

The number of West Coast orthopaedic patients transferred to Christchurch has skyrocketed despite assurances "less than a dozen" would occur each year.

A West Coast farm worker who fled to Australia after being charged with the rape of a young girl has today been found guilty on all charges.

Solid Energy, which is being broken up and sold, has applied for consent to start a small mine near Reefton, allowing it to retain staff.

Labour's West Coast-Tasman MP Damien O'Connor won't say whether he supports the new agreement between Labour and the Greens.

Feathers fly after native birds damage vehicles and property in Haast - even the police 4x4 was attacked.

The area has just endured its wettest May ever, smashing a 139-year-old record.

The Government today top-up after subcontractor prices came back higher than expected.

A job subsidy scheme aimed at providing 20 new jobs in Buller over two years is underway.

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.

The West Coast is about to get a slew of new chief executives in key roles, with interest from overseas in the top ranking positions.

An elected member of the West Coast District Health Board who worked in mental health for 41 years, has hit out at suicide prevention.