Straight from city council A personal view, by Councillor Steve Morris We're lucky to have the Taxpayers' Union. It's an independent organisation that seeks greater efficiency and transparency on how your taxes (and council rates)... Read More

Simon Bridges National Party Leader simonbridges.co.nz Neither a pleasure cruise nor a bed of nails. Simon Bridges, MP for Tauranga, is assessing his first six months as leader of the National Party and leader of the Opposition. 'It's... Read More

Clayton Mitchell New Zealand First MP Last week I was asked to attend a meeting at Tauranga City Council to discuss the growing concern over the use and disposal of wet wipes which claim to be biodegradable and flushable. Not all... Read More

Mary Parker The Fast Track Life Coach 'The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” Nelson Henderson. Some years ago, I was in Oregon staying with a friend. I was out on their farm... Read More

Angie Warren-Clark Labour MP A reoccurring theme that is discussed in the political world is, how do we get more younger people engaged in the political process? With many younger people busy studying, working and funding their... Read More

Sideline Sid Sports correspondent & historian www.sunlive.co.nz One had to be an early bird to keep up with the sporting action over the weekend. While most eyes were on the Mighty All Blacks and the New Zealand Warriors, an... Read More

Weather Eye with John Maunder Temperatures have been recorded in the Tauranga area at several sites in the last 100 years, including the current Tauranga Airport site from June 1990. The graph shows details of the average daily... Read More

Kristin Dunne Tourism Bay of Plenty Championing tourism is a skilful balancing act. The balance between growth and unlocking the best outcome for both the cruise sector and our Coastal Bay of Plenty community is a fine... Read More

Jim Bunny Rogers Rabbits www.sunlive.co.nz Rogers is incommunicado this week, out on the high seas catching his dinner. So we've got a guest writer to pen some letters on letters. It was an innocent note penned... Read More

Simon Bridges National Party Leader simonbridges.co.nz The first word that springs to mind when I think about the suffrage campaigners is bravery. To go against the system takes enormous courage and strength of spirit. The result... Read More

Jan Tinetti Labour MP It was wonderful to be part of the recent Tauranga Women's Lifestyle Expo, and to see women come together and really enjoying themselves, tasting food, trying different products and generally having a great... Read More

Clayton Mitchell New Zealand First MP The report into the state of New Zealand's racing industry by Australian expert John Messara was released last week, and was largely welcomed by racing enthusiasts who are at their wit's end... Read More