Dr Michael Morris Animal welfare writer nzchas.canterbury ACT MP Hilary Calvert made the news following a 'Backbenchers' programme, where she was asked if her party would commit to the abolition of battery cages for layer hens, within 10 years.... Read More

Jane Nees BOP Regional Councillor www.janenees.co.nz Over the last year, the Bay of Plenty Regional Transport Committee has been working on a draft Bay of Plenty Regional Land Transport Strategy 2011- 2041 to replace the current strategy. The... Read More

Andrew von Dadelszen Former Regional Councillor In her editorial last week Paula Thompson indicated our regional council has flagged a desire to move the balance of its funding base from the current 24 per cent of its operating expenditure, being... Read More

Brian Anderson The Western Front www.sunlive.co.nz The regional council is taking community communication to a new level. Community consultation is not generally respected, but the BOP Regional Council Northern Harbour Recreation Strategy meeting... Read More

Write Space Literary news, views and reviews http://taurangawriters.org.nz Are you allowed two passions in life? Well in my three score 10, my satisfaction has been in dancing and writing; hence my business name 'DancWrite'. This week's Write... Read More

Claire Rogers Cool products and foodie things www.sunlive.co.nz Finding a gluten-free breakfast cereal that doesn't taste like cardboard is not easy. I tracked down great muesli at The Good Food Trading Co this week though. The toasted muesli from... Read More

Laura's screening with Laura Weaser GREASE (Tauranga Boys' an Girls' College) Directed: Andrew McKenzie STARRING: Tauranga Boy's and Girls' College The four leads of the combined colleges' production of Grease. I'm going to go out on a limb... Read More

Cr Bill Faulkner Faulkners Corner www.sunlive.co.nz The saga of the leaks and water temperature in the Mount Hot Salt Water Pools has culminated in their closure for 16-18 weeks according to Tauranga City Aquatics Ltd (TCAL) chairman Warren Banks.... Read More

Brian Rogers Rogers Rabbits www.sunlive.co.nz As expected, we've had an outpouring of complaints from genuine sickness beneficiaries after last week's RR column, pointing out the absurdity of the boxing match between the Tongan 'sick' person and... Read More

Dawn Kiddie fitness friendly fun food www.sunlive.co.nz This amazing salad is a creation of Lauraine Jacobs from her latest book the Confident Cook. I have adapted it slightly as I had some fresh beetroot and was just looking for an exciting new... Read More

Andrew Nimick Point Concept twitter.com/andrewnim Well June has been an interesting month so far. Pingar was the first ever New Zealand company to present at the 'Launch Silicon Valley' event (shameless plug as I work for Pingar) and announced... Read More

Sideline Sid Sports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz There are few things in life that excite Sidline Sid more than the start of the Bay of Plenty Steamers NPC campaign each year. To be a true blue (and gold) Steamers fan is to experience... Read More