Leighton Fairlie is coming home to the Mount. This time with a seven-piece band, celebrating the release of his debut EP ‘Distant’. “This is the first time I won’t be using the loop pedal, but having a band to do what I do,”...... Read More

In early 2019 Simon Beaton decided to jump 10,000 feet. He told me this on a sunny Friday morning from the fifth floor  of the Devonport Towers. We sipped our coffee, looking out across the harbour towards the airport. Simon is one of those Clark...... Read More

I called in to see John Baxter at his  new home studio in Greerton. It was a warm, sunny day, with mandarins heavy on a tree, and Leo the dog peeping out from under the deck. The studio, a rustic, warm and insulated building, had arrived as two...... Read More

Sienna Olsen,7 and Ella Mitchell, 14, have both received unique international arts recognition due in part to the benevolence of Paul Horak and Angela Howard. Both of the local students have received an Honorable Mention in the International Children’s...... Read More

At college, Nigel Masters was that very cool guy playing guitar in the rock band. I, on the other hand was a geeky girl on a violin in the college orchestra. Not really doing much of the same music, but still, we were both inspired by the legendary...... Read More

They’ve been changing lives and inspiring people to be their best selves for four years, and now Aspire Health and Sports in Bethlehem is giving gifts to those who want to try the facility for themselves. In honour of its fourth birthday, Aspire...... Read More

Over the last month or so, Nicola Bettley and her brother Stew Weir  have been busy emptying their music shop at the top end of Devonport Rd. If you haven’t heard - Bay City Music is closing down, and there are two grand pianos, one drum...... Read More

Te Puke Gymsport and Parkour has reached the incredible milestone of being 65 years old. A celebration was held at the club  near the end of May. “Our story starts back in the 1950s when the club, originally called Te Puke Gymnasium Club,...... Read More

I wondered what to wear to the launch of Tauranga’s Fashion Month. I tend to wear black, often buying two of exactly the same item, as it eliminates the need to have to choose on a daily basis. My approach to fashion has been - if it has pockets...... Read More

It’s been 19 years and now it’s time for them to come back to the beginning. New Zealand clothing brand Moochi started out in Mount Maunganui and is now returning to its roots to open a store just 50m from where it all began. “Nineteen...... Read More