Blogs

Films, music – it’s all on for August

Winston Watusi Music Plus I used to assume that when days start getting longer, they also get warmer. Sadly that's not true. And with the arrival of August imminent, a bit of warmth would be very welcome. Even as I type this,... Read More

A political box of chocolates

Rosalie's Writings with Rosalie Liddle Crawford We're halfway through the year and I was wondering what's happened with everybody's New Year resolutions? Did they fly out the window on January 2? What we really need is a random... Read More

Panepane Purakau – it’s the right thing to do

Words from the Western Bay Mayor by Garry Webber This week, Western Bay of Plenty District Council voted in support of consulting with the public about a proposed return of ownership of the eastern end of Matakana Island, known... Read More

A vision for Mount Maunganui at last

Straight from city council A personal view, by Councillor Steve Morris Remember the old tv ad: 'don't leave town till you've seen the country'? I don't - I'm too young - but the point still stands; with a captive audience, The... Read More

The recent passing of Mitch Grafas

Sideline Sid Sports correspondent & historian www.sunlive.co.nz The recent passing of Mitch Grafas closed another chapter on the thoroughbred racing exploits of the Grafas family from Te Puke, which stretched back to the 1920's. Mitch... Read More

Solar Activity and the next Maunder Minimum

Weather Eye with John Maunder The 'Maunder Minimum' is the name given to the period from 1645 to 1715 when the number of sunspots - 'storms' on the sun - became almost zero. The period is named after the solar astronomer... Read More

Living in the Goldilocks zone

Rosalie's Writings with Rosalie Liddle Crawford Our future phones need to be smarter and have unique user settings. For example, if we were able to set our phones to 'politician' mode, there would be a common warning message... Read More

August’s rates bill set

Straight from city council A personal view, by Councillor Steve Morris Nearly half a billion dollars in operating and capital spending next year was debated in the Council chamber last week. After hearing and considering your... Read More

Savings support community initiatives

Five Minutes with the Mayor A monthly column by Tauranga Mayor Tenby Powell Last week's Tauranga City Council 2020/21 annual plan deliberations showed just how much can be achieved when everyone is working together for a common... Read More

Experimenting with music

Winston Watusi Music Plus If you thought things in the world were weird before now then just hang on for what's next. This is not the best time to be making predictions but it does strike me that the more we in New Zealand... Read More

Sporting glory in NZ

Sideline Sid Sports correspondent & historian www.sunlive.co.nz Many New Zealand sports fans are familiar with the deeds of boxers 'Torpedo' Billy Murphy and Bob Fitzsimmons, who brought early sporting glory to the country... Read More

Tropospheric Temperatures January 1979 to June 2020

Weather Eye with John Maunder The chart below shows that since 1979, when reliable satellite observations became available, there has been little overall trend in the average tropospheric temperatures, apart from milder/warmer temperatures... Read More