Independent viewsBy Brendan Horan Is party politics still serving New Zealand democracy the way New Zealanders want it? Have we become distanced from owning our political processes and outcomes? In the last election more than 800,000 registered... Read More

News HoundAdy & Flo www.sunlive.co.nz Most of us go to a lot of trouble to clean up our naturally-occurring motions, while cavorting in the parks and reserves of the region.So it's disappointing to find droppings of a variety of shapes and origins... Read More

Brian RogersRogers Rabbits www.sunlive.co.nz Perfect summer days. Can't complain about the weather. However, some people do. 'It's too hot.” Later in the year they'll be whinging that it's too cold. You just can't please some people.The... Read More

Ian McLeanSpokesperson for the Green Party 'The next wave of progressive change that is sweeping the world is green.” With this comment, Russel Norman, co-leader of the Green Party, challenged the other parties in the run to the next election... Read More

Dazz SwitallaFlavour SecretsNo.1 The Strand Chef www.no1thestrand.co.nz The New Year is rocketing ahead with all sorts of projects and ideas slotting into the fabric of time and its management. All sorts of things can effect what gets achieved... Read More

Mary ParkerCoaching the AttitudeCoaching the Attitude 'The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes” Marcel Proust Driving a known route creates familiarity and I sometimes miss what is new... Read More

Matt CowleyTauranga City Councillor When I was an athlete, a deep tissue sports massage was a painful but necessary exercise to recharge the muscles for the next event. The new council is similarly kneading its kneading its knuckles into the budget... Read More

Catherine StewartTauranga City Councillor Based on my experiences as a councillor during the last six-and-a-half years, I believe development contributions can be problematic - especially when growth slows down. While I agree planning is an essential... Read More

Malcolm CampbellKawerau Mayor Congratulations Kawerau! It has been a great few months for the town of Kawerau as we make the news for all the right reasons - the Prime Ministers opening the extension of the SCA Kawerau Tissue Site, the town's 60th... Read More

John ForbesOpotiki Mayor The year is already well underway and it looks like it will whizz by as fast as 2013. I hope everyone enjoyed a break over the summer school holidays and is starting 2014 with energy and excitement. We will certainly need... Read More

Grant PatonSustainable soilsEnvironmental Fertilisers Ltd Nature is a seemingly simple, but in reality quite complex thing and few people understand it. Some claim they do, but only practise small parts of it. A holistic approach and nothing less... Read More

Grant PatonSustainable soilsEnvironmental Fertilisers Ltd Nature is a seemingly simple, but in reality quite complex thing and few people understand it. Some claim they do, but only practise small parts of it. A holistic approach and nothing less... Read More