Straight from city councilA personal view,by Councillor Steve Morris Over the last fortnight, nearly 300 members of the public have spoken to us in the council chamber on our draft 10-year budget. We've received more than 3200 submissions - four... Read More

Clayton MitchellNew Zealand First MP New Zealanders are extremely generous with their time, effort and financial support for not-for-profit organisations. It makes me proud to know that nearly 1.4 million Kiwis volunteer in their community each... Read More

Jan TinettiLabour MP A huge thank you to everyone who joined the #KnitforJacinda campaign. Here in the office it has been such a joy receiving beautiful knitwear and other gifts for the needy babies of Tauranga and on June 1 I will be gifting these... Read More

Spotlight on...with Janne GuitarGirl New Zealand-born Damon Innes enjoyed music as a youngster, learning to play guitar at 12, and had already started to write songs just a year later. He spent a good part of his life in Vancouver, Canada, and... Read More

Kristin DunneTourism Bay of Plenty It is no secret there is a perception that the Bay of Plenty is only a summer destination.But during the cooler months, our region still has plenty to offer.Think kayaking, scenic walks, craft breweries and local... Read More

Sideline SidSports correspondent & historian www.sunlive.co.nz Walking around Mauao isn't the same at present without the Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service building that has guarded the oceanfront for decades, after being demolished to make way... Read More

Active Voicewith Debbie GareaFundamentals Advisor Sport Bay of Plenty's 'Physical Skills Educator' Rachel Colby, who has a Primary Physical Education background, is working with teachers across the Western Bay of Plenty in the GO4it Fundamental... Read More

Weather Eyewith John Maunder Temperatures have been recorded in the Tauranga area at several sites during the last 100 years, including the current Tauranga Airport site from June 1990. It's very common for areas such as Tauranga to have had different... Read More

Margaret Murray-BengeCouncillor, Kaimai Ward A few days ago, Western Bay District Mayor Garry Webber shared his views about why Western Bay should have a Maori ward. He noted that various laws require local authorities to provide opportunities... Read More

Brian RogersRogers Rabbits www.sunlive.co.nz That was a close call. I nearly didn't get around to writing a column this week. I was flat out with responses flooding in* after last week's yarn. Thanks for the massive feedback.You all thoroughly... Read More

Bridget NichollsAcacia Safari Tours We don't often think of bugs in flattering terms, but the travel bug is one I hold dear. It courses through me each and every day. I am back in New Zealand now, but the travel bug is biting already, which is... Read More

Todd MullerNational MP A lot of work goes into keeping our growing community safe, and I have nothing but admiration and respect for our emergency services here in the Bay and right around the country. Last week I was fortunate enough to spend... Read More