An iconic building dropped off  Mount Maunganui’s cityscape recently. Built in 1977, The Hop House started off life as The Cream Can, a built-for-purpose  ice cream parlour. It was a well-known New Zealand franchise, and similar buildings...... Read More

The annual Rest Home Games  are back again this year with competitive teams from around  the Western Bay of Plenty fired up, ready to participate and show that age is no barrier. “The Rest Home Games is our event for the local rest...... Read More

Mike Stott is ready to rumble. His Lysaght Llamas team won the 2017 Cooney Lees Morgan Lunchbreak Battle and this year they’re back to defend their ‘world’ title. “I want to call out Chris Lowe from CMW Geosciences,” says...... Read More

I caught up with Dave Holder just as  he was about to drive onto the Cook Strait ferry. He’d flown in from France, gone straight to Dunedin to race in the Isuzu Otago Rally and was now heading home  to Mount Maunganui. “Coming...... Read More

The kitchen is at the heart of every home, but modern designs often lack one crucial feature – soul. Glossy, white MDF kitchens have dominated the interior design landscape for years, but a new trend towards natural products has seen a resurgence...... Read More

Despite living most of my life  in the Bay of Plenty, I had yet to visit the Athenree Homestead. I knew little about it before deciding to go to their annual Vintage Christmas Fair in November, and so was quite amazed to discover not only a restored...... Read More

In summer, there’s nothing better than splashing around in your own pool.  It is your home’s outdoor feature piece, a friend-maker and a guaranteed family-fun day. If you’re in the market for a new pool, Pools Plus Moreare ready...... Read More

The Minden Lookout has had a makeover in time for summer. The lookout at the top of Minden Road was built 40 years ago in 1977 by the Bethlehem Te Puna Lions and opened in 1978. Back then they were known as the Omokoroa Te Puna Lions. Brian Wright was...... Read More

With summer just around the corner, now is the perfect time to get your indoor-outdoor flow just the way you want it. If you’re wanting to treat yourself and your home, it could be time to get some new indoor furniture, and The Design Depot in...... Read More

You can get the kitchen of your dreams without the hassle and fuss of a complete replacement. If your kitchen is functional, why re-design it and go through the stress of weeks of work to completely overhaul it? Instead, give it a makeover! The team...... Read More