Blogs

The joy of the Jam Factory

Music Plus with Winston Watusi watusi@thesun.co.nz Perhaps it's because I was there last week, but I've been thinking about The Jam Factory. And perhaps it was because the sun was shining and there were smiling faces... Read More

Talking ‘kaboom’ with the kids

Roger Rabbits with Jim Bunny 5 February 2026 Dear Kids, It's not pretty, and hopefully not necessary. I'm on the lounge floor doing Kegels - pelvic exercises - just in case 'The Doomsday Clock' scientists are right... Read More

Trace elements for human health – Part 1

Abundant Life with John Arts | abundant.co.nz I recently spoke to a sheep farmer who said his lambs were 1kg heavier after supplementing with trace minerals. Farmers know that NZ soils are deficient in selenium and other... Read More

The day black clouds rolled over Mauao

Roger Rabbits with Jim Bunny It was one of those scary weather events - 244mm of rain dumped in just 24 hours. Nothing like it before, they said, not since records began more than 100 years ago. Twenty-four hours later... Read More

City physically and emotionally scarred

A message from Mayor Mahé with Mahé Drysdale Last week's massive rain event has left our city physically and emotionally scarred. The landslide on Mauao and tragic loss of life that followed more than two... Read More

Waitangi weekend festivals

Music Plus with Winston Watusi watusi@thesun.co.nz Things are piling up on the 'To Do' list, much as always happens at the end of January. That's the downside to New Zealander's perennial habit of basically taking January... Read More

An extremely challenging time for our community

Words from the Western Bay Mayor with James Denyer The past week has been extremely challenging for our community. The loss of life at Mauao and Welcome Bay has weighed heavily on many. I want to acknowledge the tragic... Read More

Sports fans cheer home 100/1 outsiders

Sports correspondent & historian with Sideline Sid Sports fans have a soft spot for sensational upsets where a little-known outsider grabs victory at telephone number odds. Less than a month into the new year, two mammoth... Read More

Who outpriced the offcuts?

Roger Rabbits with Jim Bunny I went to school with a guy called 'Corned Beef'. At 16 years, he was 110kg of southern 'silverside' - a head wider than high, a kind of hammerhead if you get the drift. No forehead, no... Read More

Summer sun and your skin

Moments of Tranquility with Dani Sheridan Welcome to the first edition of Moments of Tranquillity, a monthly column where I'll share simple advice, practical tips and insider knowledge to help you achieve healthy, glowing... Read More

Simply too much music

Music Plus with Winston Watusi watusi@thesun.co.nz As has become clear to us all, there is simply too much music. Statistics show a gazillion new songs are released every day. And I could keep up with that. Just about. But... Read More

Sunspots and the Maunder Minimum

Weather Eye with John Maunder A sunspot is a relatively dark, sharply defined region on the solar disc - marked by an umbra, dark area, which is 2000 degrees cooler than the effective photospheric temperature. The average... Read More