Cr Bill FaulknerFaulkners Corner www.sunlive.co.nz A follow up to the column of a couple of weeks ago, regarding an expected press release from Local Government Minister Nick Smith and his proposal to 'reform' (again) Local Government. An article... Read More

Paula ThompsonBOP Regional Councillorwww.envbop.govt.nz The BOP Regional Council will soon release its 10 year plan for your comment. At this stage, one of the key features is a proposed $3m increase in next year's operating costs. This is caused... Read More

Jane NeesBOP Regional Councillorwww.janenees.co.nz This week, the Bay of Plenty Regional Council signed off on its Ten Year Plan for public consultation. The development of the plan began over a year ago, and there have been many workshops and... Read More

Brian AndersonThe Western Frontwww.sunlive.co.nz Owen McShane died on March 7. Many have read his work in the National Business Review and the Metro magazine. Very few will ever appreciate the contribution Owen has made supporting people in New... Read More

Laura's screening with Laura Weaser Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part One. Out on DVD now. Let me first address an important bias that may influence this review. 1) I despise to my core the idea of Twilight, everything associated with it and the... Read More

Write Space Literary news, views and reviews www.taurangawriters.org.nz This week's Write Space by Janice Giles. My mum buys junk from mail order catalogues. You know the type of thing: 'Free gift with every order!' Or, 'Congratulations,... Read More

Health Basicswith Diana Bomfordof Action Nutrition When I first heard people raving about organic foods, I assumed the benefits were based around spray-free produce (fruit and vegetables) and that this was the limit of their health giving properties.... Read More

Sideline SidSports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz While the competitors in the National Surf Lifesaving championships, which start in Gisborne on Thursday, will travel and stay in modern vehicles and accommodation - this wasn't always... Read More

Pete MorrisArt blogger www.sunlive.co.nz Tauranga artist Keith Lewis is 'Random Guy'. Keith started his working career in the New Zealand Army and later saw active service as a peace-keeper in Bosnia. He has always been interested in art and... Read More

Shane Laidlaw Eves Realty The market is definitely on the move! February saw a massive 55% increase in the total sales for the Mount, Papamoa and Tauranga markets. Anybody contemplating selling should now jump in - the time is right! Looking... Read More

Daz SwitallaFlavour SecretsNo.1 The Strand Chef www.no1thestrand.co.nz Don't know what it is about the sensual characters of a peach? Maybe because I am an old punk rocker whose favourite band was The Stranglers, whose lyrics 'walking on the beaches... Read More

Captivating childrenby Anna Rutten from Kidiwise Early Learning Centre Do you remember the joys of running around as a child, barefoot, without a care in the world? Barefoot children are a wonderful sight. There are a huge number of experiences... Read More