Fears are growing that a missing Christchurch tramper could have been swept away in a swollen West Coast river about two weeks ago.

The much vaunted Great West Coast Whitebait Festival in Christchurch has left the Hokitika organisers $100,000 out of pocket.

An Australian contractor which lost three staff members in the Pike River Mine disaster has been fined $46,800 after admitting breaches of the Health and Safety Act.

Pike River contractor Valley Longwall will be sentenced today for failing to ensure the safety of workers who died in explosions at the mine.

A tornado flattened an old wooden theatre, tore roofs off houses and shattered windows as it ripped through a small West Coast settlement overnight.

The sometimes wet West Coast is about to play on its reputation with a new $100,000 marketing slogan. Guess what it is?

Pike River Mine families' spokesman Bernie Monk said he was gutted after the PM refused to help with a mine re-entry, after the mine's owners agreed to an attempt.

Police got a rap in the Greymouth District Court yesterday for leaving three drunk men in a vehicle and the keys in the ignition, in the 'wilderness' in the middle of the night.

A West Coast farmer has been sentenced to community service after 60 cattle were found dead and dying.

This month's toll of job losses is striking - but it's a reflection of a slowing of the Chinese economy. It's time to look for jobs that have a future.

Close to 500 breadwinners will lose their jobs, and more than $50 million a year will be sucked out of the Greymouth economy, as Spring Creek Mine is moved into care and maintenance.

Miners were emotional after a meeting with the Minister of State Owned Enterprises, saying he had made up his mind over their proposal before the meeting began.