Dr Michael Morris Animal welfare writer nzchas.canterbury Now that our parliamentary make up is known with certainty, it is worth taking a look at what the new government and parliament will mean for animals. On the face of it, the news looks... Read More

Pete Morris Art blogger www.sunlive.co.nz Peter Cramond is a painter and sculptor whose work can be found in private collections all over the world and, increasingly, in public spaces . It is this that gives me a sense of how far the Papamoa artist... Read More

Write Space Literary news, views and reviews http://taurangawriters.org.nz This week's Write Space by Jan Goldie. Back in the dark ages when I was a teenager, reading books went hand in hand with the summer holidays. Like hokey pokey and... Read More

Brian Rogers Rogers Rabbits www.sunlive.co.nz Christmas wouldn't be the same without a multitude of warnings from various people, hell-bent on making sure we have a safe and happy festive season. Including me. These days, no one is allowed to hurt... Read More

Write Space Literary news, views and reviews http://taurangawriters.org.nz When We Were Small And Christmas Trees Were Tall Christmas time brings a host of childhood memories which linger in drifts, pure and soft like cotton wool. In the middle... Read More

News Hound Ady & Flo Hit and run on the Santa hat: While everyone at No. 1 The Strand was in a festive mood of giving, Flo was in for the take. Spotting Ady wearing the Santa hat, minus the fluffy ball on the end, Flo eyes up; moves in for the... Read More

Claire Rogers All about wine www.sunlive.co.nz If you are looking for good Champagne for Christmas at an excellent price (only $59 a bottle), then make sure you get to Liquorland and pick up a bottle of Piper Champagne. You'll find Liquorland at... Read More

Paula Thompson BOP Regional Councillor www.envbop.govt.nz As 2011 draws to a close, we can reflect on a year of catastrophic events. While many of us will be 'winding down' and getting set to enjoy summer 'down time' with family and friends, there... Read More

Cr Bill Faulkner Faulkners Corner www.sunlive.co.nz Council had a secret meeting last week. Elected members didn't plan it that way, but that's how it turned out. A joint meeting of TCC, Western BOP District Council and the BOP Regional Council... Read More

Brian Anderson The Western Front www.sunlive.co.nz Merry Christmas everybody and a Happy New Year. This column lately hasn't been an ideal platform for adding the word merry to Christmas, but three items of news this week are probably our best... Read More

Jane Nees BOP Regional Councillor www.janenees.co.nz Dear Santa, This year's been a hard one, but we've tried to be good. We were given the Rena and we've done what we could. Progress was made on lakes, harbours and streams, but floods damaged... Read More

Andrew von Dadelszen Former Regional Councillor Local Government politics has played second fiddle to Central Government politics in recent times. Political junkies like me have remained glued to the media - awaiting decisions outside my control.... Read More