Ian McLeanSpokesperson for the Green Party A 17-year-old burned a mobile classroom and caused major disruption to a very successful educational programme. Should we focus on his past, or on his future?These are some of the facts: 1) he had been... Read More

Brian RogersRogers Rabbits www.sunlive.co.nz The whitebait season is underway this week and there's been feverish activity in the RR camp, sharpening hooks and researching batter recipes. They're tricky little buggers to catch, and not only do... Read More

News HoundsAdy & Flo www.sunlive.co.nz The water jump was my downfall, and so like Valerie, I went from tears of pain, to grins of joy. There were drugs involved as well. Really, where is the problem? Miss/Mr Upchuck was only abiding by the theory... Read More

Cr Bill FaulknerFaulkners Corner www.sunlive.co.nz For those ratepayers who have been confounded by council's tree bylaws, relief is now at hand. Some nine or 10 years ago staff drove around town selecting significant trees for council protection,... Read More

Simon BridgesNational MP simonbridges.co.nz Of my day-to-day responsibilities in Government, being Associate Minister of Transport keeps me busiest. In the past week that has been particularly true as I've announced the imminent commencement of... Read More

Jane NeesBOP Regional Councillorwww.janenees.co.nz Well, the Olympics are over and we did pretty well for a little country down the bottom of the world - 15th out of the 204 countries which were competing. However, a recent publication called 'New... Read More

Brian AndersonThe Western Frontwww.sunlive.co.nz Commissioners have taken over the running of Kaipara District Council this week and with the results in from the representation submissions, Western Bay of Plenty District Council looks very likely... Read More

Andrew von DadelszenFormer Regional Councillor With the establishment of the Auckland Super City, New Zealand now has more than 50 per cent of its population with a unitary structure for local governance. Integrating regional council functions... Read More

Sideline SidSports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz Sideline Sid woke up to the news that Valerie Adams had been awarded the Gold Medal, after the Belarussian thrower had returned a positive drugs test - while it is outstanding news,... Read More

American RoadtripTauranga residents Kay and Mike Travelling America on a Harley Davidson We are now into our second week of our great adventure through the United States and are finding the best laid plans are sent to try us. In week two we entered... Read More

Pete MorrisArt blogger www.sunlive.co.nz Each year Tauranga is well represented at Rotorua's Wearable Creationz Art Exhibition. Ever since the very first show in 2003 Wearable Creationz has grown in quality and popularity. The event, hosted by... Read More

Brian RogersRogers Rabbits www.sunlive.co.nz Thank goodness for our happy Olympians! For many years myself, and a lot of other parents, watched the likes of the Burlings and Saunders sail past our yachting kids. The family joke: they were hard... Read More