There will be no attempt to rescue 29 miners trapped in a West Coast mine tonight, with no further air quality sampling until tomorrow.

West Coasters went about their business today hoping for the best but painfully aware of the grim record of tragedies in mining.

Police say a bid to rescue or recover 29 miners trapped in a West Coast coal mine is on hold, and could begin at any time over the next two days.

He avoided yesterday's Pike River blast by minutes - now a miner waits for news of trapped workmates.

Rescue crews will face a number of challenges as they work towards accessing the area where 29 coal miners are believed to be trapped.

29 miners remain trapped underground after yesterday's blast at Pike River Coal's West Coat mine.

Methane gas has long been identified as a potential problem for the Pike River Coal mine, as rescuers scramble to find up to 27 missing miners.

Moose were released in Westland in 1900 and in Fiordland in 1910 but unlike other such introductions they were not a success.

A plane that crashed near Fox Glacier, killing nine, is believed to have been over its maximum allowable weight and off-balance.

A West Coast driver who fell asleep and killed a cyclist faces a much longer self-imposed sentence than the community detention handed down, says her lawyer.

A severe weather warning has been issued as heavy rain and gales are expected to hit areas across the country.

Two Christchurch women were rescued by helicopter from Arthur's Pass National Park today.

A West Coast man has been acquitted of murder but found guilty of the manslaughter of his friend, following a four-day trial.

Jill Worrall discovers a settlement that time forgot.

Jill Worrall explores the region that was home to the legendary bushman and prospector.

The Reefton winner of a $10.6m Lotto prize initially figured he must have read the Lotto numbers wrong, so put his ticket aside.