Paula ThompsonBOP Regional Councillorwww.envbop.govt.nz The reform of local government will get underway later this year with some legislative change and work being done on how to get local government working better. Let's not forget that many... Read More

Andrew von DadelszenFormer Regional Councillor On Tuesday I attended the Priority One 'Shaping Our Future' Business Summit at the new TECT Arena. What a great venue, and another huge asset for our city. I offer a bouquet to Priority One for continuing... Read More

John CroninBOP Regional Council Chairmanwww.envbop.govt.nz Some great news this week that the Bay of Plenty was one of the top performing regions in New Zealand last year, according to a report from Business and Economic Research Ltd. We rank just... Read More

Daz SwitallaFlavour SecretsNo.1 The Strand Chef www.no1thestrand.co.nz A few weeks ago I shared a mixed base for a beef or lamb curry. This week we'll lift it up another level and go for something that will really sock it to you! It's a punchy... Read More

Sideline SidSports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz Sideline Sid got dressed up into his good gear last Friday night for the Bay of Plenty Cricket prize giving and launch of the BOP Cricket history book. There was plenty of glitz and... Read More

Dr Anna Rolleston The Cardiac Clinic I'd like to dispel some of the myths about heart disease risk. I am on cholesterol medication therefore I do not need to strictly manage my diet. Incorrect. Cholesterol medication moderates the natural cholesterol... Read More

Debra JagerHome Instead Senior Care Q. I'm worried about our next-door neighbour. His garden is overgrown, and I help out with his lawns, but don't have time to do all the work that is needed. I took some baking over to him, and... Read More

Write Space Literary news, views and reviews www.taurangawriters.org.nz Haiku Writers, sharpen your pencils because Wednesday, May 16 is the closing date for this year's Katikati Pathway haiku competition. The biennial contest is, once again, turning... Read More

Simon BridgesNational MP simonbridges.co.nz Being a minister has seen me get around the country a fair bit in the last fortnight. I've been in Auckland meeting with the parking enforcement industry to help facilitate a code of conduct on wheel... Read More

John ArtsAbundant Living www.johnarts.co.nz We continue our discussion on the most common diseases of the nervous system and look today at Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. These are both diseases caused by the loss of brain neurons, though in very... Read More

Martial Musingswith Grant Buchanan of Mile HighKarate and Youngforest Tai Chi As the Senior Instructor at Mile High Karate I am constantly dealing with the victims of bullying and helping those who are bullied is one of the most rewarding aspects... 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.... Read More