Independent viewsBy Brendan Horan Be warned of the Government's latest amendment bill - one that is intended to manipulate government processes for political gain. The Family Commissions Amendment Bill, currently before the house, is an example... Read More

Dazz SwitallaFlavour SecretsNo.1 The Strand Chef www.no1thestrand.co.nz Last week, as winter was biting I suggested that a warming soup or one-pot wonder were the best thing at the end of the day. As I am writing this it's a sunny Tauranga day... Read More

Brian AndersonThe Western Frontwww.sunlive.co.nz When the Year 13 students heard the news, the silence was deafening. The presenter at the large organisation's careers expo had just dropped a bombshell. High quality science graduates certainly... Read More

Jane NeesBOP Regional Councillorwww.janenees.co.nz Last week I wrote about the launch of the Institute of Director's Aspiring Director's Award which is now open for applications. Another worthwhile IoD initiative is the recent launch of the Good... Read More

Kirsty Walkerof Eves Real Estate (Bethlehem) Oh boy, that yellow and green kitchen - it attracts the Australians, but it may have limited Kiwi appeal. Here is our advice: be careful with the use of strong colours. Sometimes it works wonderfully... Read More

Weather Eyewith John Maunder Rainfalls for the month of May 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 634mm in 2005 to a low of 13mm in 2001. The... Read More

Nicki ScottRecreation AdvisorSport Bay of Plenty New Beginner Walking Group starting in Papamoa East. There's no such thing as bad weather for walking, only bad clothes! Winter can be one of the most enjoyable times for walking, it's not too hot,... Read More

Sideline SidSports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz Two Western Bay boxers have taken big steps towards significant rankings on the Boxing New Zealand ranking lists - the springboard to representing New Zealand in international contests. The... Read More

Independent viewsBy Brendan Horan An attitude inherent in New Zealand culture, it sits alongside number 8 wire to fix everything. Certainly New Zealanders are a 'give it a go”, DIY, fix it folk; our ancestors had to be given distance and... Read More

Brian RogersRogers Rabbits www.sunlive.co.nz We've had a stampede of ewes telling us your favourite bastardisations of the English language, otherwise known as 'Stan Walker-isms'. Although we are not sure that ewes stampede. It's technically more... Read More

NewshoundAdy & Flo www.sunlive.co.nz Maybe Gareth Morgan was on to something, these cats are nothing but trouble. If we can't get rid of them, at least we should put them to some good use.Keen follower of the Newshounds column, Ben, recently posted... Read More

Cr Bill FaulknerFaulkners Corner www.sunlive.co.nz It seems you just can't win where Council's finances are concerned. Last year's financials ended in a $3.7million surplus - due in main part to interest rate related benefits. Both loans and investments.... Read More