Te Ururoa FlavellMP for Waiariki www.waiariki.maori.nz The Rena disaster taught us a number of lessons from the get-go. There is a certain resilience in Aotearoa when our lands are threatened by disaster. People come together for a common cause. Māori... Read More

Paula ThompsonBOP Regional Councillorwww.envbop.govt.nz This week the BOP Regional Council supported further work being done on how the council can work better with volunteer groups and organisations to achieve even more outcomes for our communities. The... Read More

Andrew von DadelszenFormer Regional Councillor We live in a great city, and we have many forward thinking people to thank for the vision that has allowed this city to progress. If it wasn't for the foresight of the likes of former mayor Noel Pope... Read More

Jane NeesBOP Regional Councillorwww.janenees.co.nz The Bay of Plenty Regional Council has asked that staff look at a range of ways it can do more work with the voluntary sector to deliver activities that contribute to council outcomes. Currently... Read More

Brian AndersonThe Western Frontwww.sunlive.co.nz If council had done its homework correctly and updated its systems in collaboration with the people, its new representation strategy would have been signed off and passed by without anyone noticing. Because... Read More

First ImpressionsBy Brendan Horan In 1775 Dr Johnson famously said: 'patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel” and this quote seems to have some relevance to the Australian supermarket chain, Coles. Coles has taken New Zealand made Mainland... Read More

Virginia Iovine-Turner Cucina Amorewww.cucinaamore.co.nz I recently ventured down to the Ohope markets and I must say it was delightful; the fresh vegetable selection was fantastic and there was some great buys. As I was leaving there was a young... Read More

Sideline SidSports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz With the annual Bay of Plenty Sports Awards just around the corner, it is always interesting to look back in time to earlier winners of the Bay of Plenty premier sporting award. To... Read More

John ArtsAbundant Living www.johnarts.co.nz I don't think the cardiologist that endorsed co enzyme Q10 to one of my clients was thinking too much about the classic Bob Dylan tune 'The times they are a-changin'”. But the times are definitely... Read More

Dazz SwitallaFlavour SecretsNo.1 The Strand Chef www.no1thestrand.co.nz When the wind drops and the sun is shining, it's great to get outside and enjoy the company of friends and family around the barbecue. Besides the sausages, steak and seafood... Read More

Pete MorrisArt blogger www.sunlive.co.nz The Tauranga Society of Artists Seasonal Exhibition is to be held this weekend. Members are exhibiting their original art works to the public for the second time in 2012. Tauranga Society of Artists' work... Read More

Brian RogersRogers Rabbits www.sunlive.co.nz It's not often one can travel back in time. Just like Michael J Fox in the Delorean, time travel is a rare and privileged experience. It takes us back to when we knew how to spell privileged without... Read More