Te Ururoa Flavell MP for Waiariki www.waiariki.maori.nz Tena koutou katoa. Just a correction, before I begin. Ria Hall, who I spoke about in my last column, is a Maungatapu local. She still has strong connections to Te Puna, however, it is my understanding... Read More

John Cronin BOP Regional Council Chairman www.envbop.govt.nz Auckland's super city has just released a discussion document which will help form a draft of its first-ever spatial plan. And while this plan is for Auckland, it will have an impact... Read More

Jane Nees BOP Regional Councillor www.janenees.co.nz Recognising and celebrating success is always nice, but sharing the success is where the real rewards kick in. This week I had the opportunity to attend an open day at the orchard of the supreme... Read More

Get LowDirected: Aaron SchneiderStarring: Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, Bill Murray and Lucas Black. 'Get Low' is keeping a low-key profile for a film that packs a big punch - slipping into theatres quietly with a very unassuming title, but with a very... Read More

Sideline Sid Sports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz At this time of year, Sidline Sid doesn't know whether he's coming or going, with the change from summer to winter sport. In the good old days when Sid played rugby, the week after... Read More

Andrew Nimick Point Concept twitter.com/andrewnim What a weekend it has been. Seems there were great activities going on everywhere. Luckily I chose to be part of an indoor one. As a judge at the first ever Bay of Plenty Mashup (possibly a world... Read More

Write Space Literary news, views and reviews http://taurangawriters.org.nz I have never been accused of being an intellectual, and this has never bothered me. To me there is a negative association with being someone who values rationality at... Read More

Claire Rogers All about wine www.sunlive.co.nz I enjoyed this wine and it is always so interesting talking about wine with Dan Shea from Mills Reef. I have put a couple of bottles away, so am particularly looking forward to trying it again in a... Read More

Virginia Iovine-Turner Cucina Amore www.cucinaamore.co.nz/ There is nothing quite like walking into a house with the aroma of fresh bread being baked. This has to be one of my favourite recipes to demonstrate. It is always sure to impress your... Read More

Pete Morris Art blogger www.sunlive.co.nz The Bay of Plenty has a chance to view, at first hand, the beauty of pastels when Tauranga hosts 'Purely Pastel', the National Art Exhibition of Pastel Artists of NZ, to be held at Baycourt Exhibition Centre... Read More

Jane Nees BOP Regional Councillor www.janenees.co.nz Tauranga Harbour periodically experiences severe blooms of sea lettuce, which reach nuisance proportions at times - especially where it is washed onto beaches. Sea lettuce grows both in the... Read More

Brian Anderson The Western Front www.sunlive.co.nz A few years ago, I had to guess the meaning of the word truculent in a School Certificate comprehension question. It was used to describe an old engine steaming sulkily, defiant and alone, in the... Read More