News HoundAdy & Flo Is this some kind of a joke? The bosses go 'rabbit” hunting and come back with these. I didn't know rabbits could fly? Our big outing of the week was down to the lakes to chase rabbits. Not surprising, with the way... Read More

Cr Bill FaulknerFaulkners Corner www.sunlive.co.nz Originally dubbed 'noisy boys' park, the TECT All Terrain Park is a permanent home for activities no longer suitable amongst our increasingly urbanised community. The 1700ha park title carries... Read More

Brian AndersonThe Western Frontwww.sunlive.co.nz We will soon be asked to offer submissions to the WBOPDC's Long Term Plan. I have had a wonderful idea already. It is totally simplistic, but then common sense always seems simple. We need more... Read More

Jane NeesBOP Regional Councillorwww.janenees.co.nz A recent American study estimated that 66 per cent of online adults use social media like Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin. If Facebook was a country, it would be the world's third largest. Twitter... Read More

Ian McLean 2011 Green candidate for Tauranga Affordable housing has hit the headlines again, with the annual report by Demographia railing against housing costs in the western world. And Bob Clarkson has discovered a social conscience that was... Read More

Paula ThompsonBOP Regional Councillorwww.envbop.govt.nz There are 78 councils in New Zealand. In 1989, there were 700 bodies doing the work the 78 now do. Of the current 78, there is one Super Auckland City Council that provides local government... Read More

Wendy MacphailEmployment Law Services The phrase workplace culture is a term that is being used more frequently recently. This phrase, like so many others, dips in and out of fashion and means different things to different people. When I refer... Read More

Tree Talkwith Peter HaringtonWoodmetrics Regional Manager One of the questions I get asked most when I am visiting farmers with trees is whether they should be pruning their trees or not. At the moment, it is actually hard to justify pruning on... Read More

Financewith Don Fraser Fraser Farm Finance In the early 1970s, I was a rural banker in the State Advances Corporation and the ownership model then was to go 50:50 share milking; pay off the debt, go bigger, pay off that debt, then sell half or... Read More

Laura's screening with Laura Weaser Be My Deadly Valentine (interactive murder-mystery dinner show). Directed by Tom Kay. Care for an interactive dinner where fellow guests dispose of a diner? 'Be My Deadly Valentine' was a date with a difference... Read More

Soil matterswith Peter Burton Eco-logic Soil Improvement Ltd It is not often pastoral farmers enjoy climatic conditions that deliver outstanding farm performance for a prolonged period. December and January have provided, for the Waikato and... Read More

John ScrimgeourFederated Farmers BOP president There was some good news for Eastern Bay of Plenty irrigators before Christmas, with strong representation helping to knock back Trustpower's desired minimum flows on the Rangitaiki River. There's... Read More