News HoundsAdy & Flo Well Flo, what can I say - your pond manners are suspect to say the least, as the rather restrained 'oh no” comment from the pond lady will attest to as she arrived at No.1 The Strand, to find a six-month-old Labrador... Read More

Claire RogersAll about wine www.sunlive.co.nz All Saint Clair Family Estate wines are selected via a unique quality assessment system. This process starts with open minded quality viticulture and continues in the winery, where 250 small tanks are... Read More

Cr Bill FaulknerFaulkners Corner www.sunlive.co.nz An eventful Full Council meeting this week saw quite a divergence of opinion on a number of matters. One was a clash between Bob Clarkson and Harry Wilson from The Agency (formerly Transit) over... Read More

Brian AndersonThe Western Frontwww.sunlive.co.nz The plan released this week for the development of a Bowentown beachfront complex is a local initiative which includes a marina, retail area, supermarket and a school. It has come from frustration... Read More

Te Ururoa FlavellMP for Waiariki www.waiariki.maori.nz Tena koutou katoa. I hope you enjoyed a restful Christmas break despite the weather. E hoa ma, it has been some time since I presented a column to The Weekend Sun. The matter of an election... Read More

Ian McLean Spokesperson for the Green Party Celebrate the success of Sue Hatchwell, who overcame severe odds - and 41 operations - to complete the recent REAL women's duathlon. Finishing was her mountain, and she climbed it. These days, we provide... Read More

John CroninBOP Regional Council Chairmanwww.envbop.govt.nz There is no doubt the Earth's climate is warming. Scientists have no doubts at all, but what do you think? Despite the cooling effects of a strong La Nina in 2011, it was globally the ninth... Read More

Jane NeesBOP Regional Councillorwww.janenees.co.nz Last year the Bay of Plenty Regional Council received a report on the water quality of our region's rivers. While it was a better picture than seen in many other regions, it did show a declining... Read More

Gourmet Guideby Jo Blennerhassett of The Good Food Trading Co. CuisineScene's Roast Vegetable Splash is one of our favourite products in store. It is an amazing accompaniment that will pump up your roast vegetables and salads and also used in marinades... Read More

Andrew Martin Global Outlook Blogger Why Societies Fail or Thrive? Many people are conscious of the uncertainty that underlies our economic, social and environmental systems yet are unsure what to do. This convergence of crisis is covered almost... Read More

Josh HoskinSmart Money jhoskin@goldridge.co.nz I continue to be amazed that many people believe KiwiSaver is some type of bank account. That many people still view this as being the case, is evidence our education system needs to include more about... Read More

Martial Musingswith Grant Buchanan of Mile HighKarate and Youngforest Tai Chi Last week we discussed 'fun' - what it is and how we should establish for our children that fun is the result of hard work and achieving goals, rather than vacantly watching... Read More