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

Todd TalksBy Todd Muller It has been an enjoyable first two weeks as the National Party candidate for the Bay of Plenty electorate. For the first day or two post the June 6 selection, I took time to celebrate with my wife and children quite an... Read More

Independent viewsBy Brendan Horan During last week's National Volunteers Week it was appropriate and in good taste local Mayors Stuart Crosby and Ross Patterson co-hosted a mayoral reception to celebrate the bicentennial of Justices of the Peace... Read More

Dazz SwitallaFlavour SecretsNo.1 The Strand Chef www.no1thestrand.co.nz Sometimes I sit and contemplate the natural wonders and goings on of life. I've just had the first mandarin from a tiny shrub I plated six months ago. Unfortunately, the poor... Read More

Matt CowleyTauranga City Councillor Yes, money can buy happiness, but it depends how you spend it. Research shows buying yourself a coffee will not make you as happy as buying someone else a coffee. It's not the amount you spend on others, but... Read More

Ian McLeanGreen SceneSpokesperson for the Green Party It is 2015. The newly-elected Government is proposing to sign off on oil exploration on Codfish Island, where most kakapo live, and in the McKenzie Basin, where most black stilts live. The Minister... Read More