Local Labourwith Rachel Jones This election Labour is promising to bring in a capital gains tax. The idea of introducing a capital gains tax used to be political suicide, but times have changed. In fact a recent survey reveals more people are in... Read More

Simon BridgesNational MP simonbridges.co.nz There has been a lot of focus in the media and from opposition parties recently on the level of inequality in New Zealand. For those of you who don't watch Parliament TV, there were more questions in... Read More

Brian RogersRogers Rabbits www.sunlive.co.nz What Dame Susan's office really does all day!We have an intriguing letter from some dame this week complaining about our use of language. 'Disappointing view of language'I am writing to express disappointment... Read More

Scott SimpsonCoromandel MP Results from the 2013 Census are in, and the Coromandel electorate shares the honour of being one of New Zealand's most mature. Along with Otaki, up the coast from Wellington, our median age is 47.9 years. At the other... Read More

Scott SimpsonCoromandel MP Results from the 2013 Census are in, and the Coromandel electorate shares the honour of being one of New Zealand's most mature. Along with Otaki, up the coast from Wellington, our median age is 47.9 years. At the other... Read More

Independent viewsBy Brendan Horan Well done Grey Power for highlighting the failure of improved access to elective surgery. In my recent column I wrote of the plight of a number of constituents in their twilight years who struggle to afford primary... Read More

Matt CowleyTauranga City Councillor This week was the start of council's new financial year. It's a great opportunity for you to hear from a different representative on council. This week I've asked Mount Maunganui/Papamoa ward councillor Clayton... Read More

Catherine StewartTauranga City Councillor Nine months into the new triennium, it's time to review our committee structures and see if there are any changes needed to improve our current systems. This term there have been many confidential briefings... Read More

Ian McLeanGreen SceneSpokesperson for the Green Party Once upon a time, the bribes that popped up in the countdown to an election were things that put money directly into the pockets of voters, such as tax cuts or cheaper ciggies. Things have changed.... Read More

Hayley KerrisonWBOP Primary School Sport Coordinator, Sport BOP What could be a better way to finish the school term than attending the fun filled indoor sports days organised by Sport Bay of Plenty and Bay Leisure? The Funky Fun Festivals and... Read More

Weather Eyewith John Maunder The sixth wettest on record rainfalls for the month of June have been recorded in Tauranga since 1898 - except for 1904, 1907, 1908 and 1909. The graph shows the range of rainfalls from an extreme high of 381 mm in... Read More

Brian RogersRogers Rabbits www.sunlive.co.nz A writer to the letters pages reminds us it's dog registration time again and responsible owners of dogs will again be wondering what they get for their money. Well I can tell you. Nothing.Because your... Read More