Independent viewsBy Brendan Horan Budget 2014 is unsurprising, with the Government clearly trying to entice support from the left with tempting hand-outs to catch new votes. What hasn't been mentioned though - and certainly of interest to the Tauranga... Read More

Brian RogersRogers Rabbits www.sunlive.co.nz There comes a time in every namby pamby journalist's life when he has to harden up.Cast off of the niceties of the cosy office. Break free from the warmth of the heater under the desk and kick off the... Read More

Simon BridgesNational MP simonbridges.co.nz Last week's Budget announcement included almost $500 million more for the wellbeing of Kiwi children and families. Budget 2014 is a continuation of the work we've been doing since taking office to provide... Read More

Dazz SwitallaFlavour SecretsNo.1 The Strand Chef www.no1thestrand.co.nz The rhythm of our daily routine is sometimes not as ordered as we would like, and events happening sometimes escalate to the point where our expected achievements don't work... Read More

Rachel JonesTauranga Labour Candidate Last week professor Shaun Hendy was in Tauranga talking about New Zealand's economic future. It was heartening to see a full house when he spoke at the Tauranga Art Gallery for the Venture Centre's inaugural... Read More

Matt CowleyTauranga City Councillor Knowledge is power, and this council wants to empower the community with the right information to help us make informed decisions. While elected members debate each issue, no matter how big or small, we do not... Read More

Scott SimpsonCoromandel MP There's been a lot of talk during the last couple of weeks about what Bill English's sixth budget means for the people in and around our region. One of the highlights for me is the announcement trips to the doctor will... Read More

Catherine StewartTauranga City Councillor Tauranga City Council's Community Development Committee met at the Papamoa Community Centre on May 13 at 6.30pm - the first time a Council meeting has been held outside of the chamber for 25 years. About... Read More

Jane NeesBOP Regional Councillorwww.janenees.co.nz The Resource Management Act planning process is convoluted, and costly and time-consuming. Finally, after a two-year development process, the Regional Direction and Delivery Committee of the Bay... Read More

Ian McLeanGreen SceneSpokesperson for the Green Party My children and I often explore the old city cemeteries. We even clean the graves, which we now learn is wrong according to Tauranga City Council. Kelly McLean (no relation) and his water blasting... Read More

Gerard CaseyEBOP Chamber of Commerce CEO The Eastern Bay of Plenty Chamber of Commerce hosted Rachel Taulelei and she spoke about marketing as an art. Rachel is the founder of Yellow Brick Road, a company demonstrably invested in New Zealand's... Read More

David MortimoreCommunity Sport Team LeaderSport Bay of Plenty Club development is simply a process to capture a club's plans for the future. Good club development is based on your club's current position, capacity and aspirations. Whether consolidating... Read More