Doug LeederBOP Regional Council Chairman In the Bay of Plenty we are fortunate to have copious amounts of water, but increasingly the what, how, why and quality aspects of its use are being directed by central government through national policy... Read More

Ian McLeanSpokesperson for the Green Party The arguments about whether the asset sales referendum sent a clear message have already begun. The reality is about two-thirds voted 'no' and one-third voted 'yes'. How representative this vote is of... Read More

Scott SimpsonCoromandel MP The summer holidays are upon us. While some will be looking forward to a good break, I know for many Western Bay business owners and their staff, rest and relaxation won't be on the agenda in the immediate future - as... Read More

Catherine StewartTauranga City Councillor Elected Tauranga City Council members have begun the annual plan process of discussing issues and options. It is important to note these decisions will go into the draft annual plan (see timetable below). The... Read More

Matt CowleyTauranga City Councillor When you have a plan, it's good to remember 'everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face” - Mike Tyson. This boxing analogy is relevant to politics. The world's best ideas are built on top of... Read More

Dazz SwitallaFlavour SecretsNo.1 The Strand Chef www.no1thestrand.co.nz Time is running out for the countdown to Christmas - and last minute shopping with annoying extra bits of stress, like road works thrown in, can slow you down. We often don't... Read More

Weather Eyewith John Maunder In the bleak mid-winter, Frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, Water like a stone, Snow had fallen, Snow on snow, Snow on snow, In the bleak mid-winter, Long ago. These words, from the first verse of the... Read More

Sideline SidSports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz While there a myriad of sports books penned in New Zealand each year, there have been few autobiographies written by a Western Bay resident. Western Bay character Dennis Enright, known... Read More

Community Pulsewith Rosalie CrawfordRise Up Tauranga I was challenged recently to use the term 'violence in families' rather than the broader term of 'family violence'. Children can become trapped in a 'silent terror' of neglect, abuse or psychological... Read More

Denise JonesWater Safety AdvisorSport Bay of Plenty The last few weeks have been a pleasant reminder of the summer days ahead. In preparation for lots of swimming and diving in the pool, at the beach or in the backyard paddling pool, a Water... Read More

Brian RogersRogers Rabbitswww.sunlive.co.nz Away in a manger, bash up a stranger Warning: there's not much cheerful in here. Don't read on, unless you have an overdose of happy that needs curing.Great to see the Christmas spirit evident around... Read More

NewshoundAdy & Flo www.sunlive.co.nz The partridge in the pear tree is about the only feathered critter without trauma this week, despite the newshounds getting a ticking off last week from the Birdwatch Brigade.No sooner had the Sun hit your letterboxes,... Read More