Brian AndersonThe Western Frontwww.sunlive.co.nz Money spent on Omokoroa and the debt incurred, being spread across the Bay in rate rises, will be a hot topic for questions to candidates for the upcoming election. Western Bay councillor Garry Webber... Read More

Simon BridgesNational MP simonbridges.co.nz Last Friday, I was in the Rangitikei electorate with local MP Ian McKelvie. This included a briefing from FarmSafe and getting some practical experience in safe quad bike riding practices. I then spent... Read More

Weather Eyewith John Maunder Rainfalls for the month of July have been recorded in Tauranga since 1898, except for 1904, 1907, 1908, and 1909. The graph for the period 1898-2011 shows the range of rainfalls from an extreme high of 348mm in 1951,... Read More

Sideline SidSports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz While there was an almost overload of rugby action at the weekend, with the Baywide club finals played out at Baypark and the Chiefs fantastic come from behind win over the Brumbies. Watching... Read More

Claire MabeyArt bloggerArts Insight Events are put on for a number of reasons, but I think that the primary reason is to facilitate fun. Next week the Tauranga Arts Festival launches with a whole lot of preparation, and excitement to match. Following... Read More

Brian RogersRogers Rabbits www.sunlive.co.nz It's that time of year again when many RR readers are suffering SAD. This is Seasonal something Disorder. We are so sad, we can't even remember what the A stands for. It's something to do with too much... Read More

NewshoundAdy & Flo www.sunlive.co.nz Greetings Sunners, The big news this week is the protests against the testing of party pills on animals.Hundreds of people turned up on Tuesday to march from The Strand, joining thousands in different cities... Read More

Cr Bill FaulknerFaulkners Corner www.sunlive.co.nz Following last week's column, the next enthralling episode of full council consideration of funding for flagship events was an event in itself. It's election time - and some seeking an election... Read More

Paula ThompsonBOP Regional Councillorwww.boprc.govt.nz Its official - New Zealand is getting older. This was the message of professor Natalie Jackson at last month's Local Government Conference in Hamilton. Apparently, for some at the conference,... Read More

Ian McLeanSpokesperson for the Green Party Protecting a forest, reducing sedimentation in an estuary, minimising the use of chemical sprays, or keeping the air clean - routinely appear to involve saying 'No” to economic initiatives. We have... Read More

Jane NeesBOP Regional Councillorwww.janenees.co.nz Long-standing regional councillor Ian Noble has indicated that he will not be standing again for the Western Bay constituency of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council in the upcoming local body elections. I... Read More

Dazz SwitallaFlavour SecretsNo.1 The Strand Chef www.no1thestrand.co.nz Meal times in a flat full of bachelors in an old house are sometimes hectic, and all sorts of unusual customs are observed. Like the gym freak, who devours eight boiled eggs... Read More