Laura Mills

Although it is too late to register for the official programme for the Otira Tunnel centennial tomorrow, people are still encouraged to turn up to remember those who lived there and created this wonder of engineering.

The Charities Services is investigating, after an Employment Court ruling found six former Gloriavale women at the religious commune were not volunteers.

DOC officials have been told to get legal advice on why it can't introduce a  moratorium on all new prospecting, mining and exploration permits on conservation land.

Mineralogy International is trying for prospecting rights over the Hohonu area near Greenstone on the West Coast, an area that has long been eyed for minerals.

The Green Party has launched a nationwide petition calling for conservation land to be protected from mining, and has Aussie billionaire Clive Palmer in its sights - including his mining tenements on the West Coast.