They’re beautiful, unique and talented – and ready to prove it across two international runways. Or three, if you count the flight it takes to get there. Papamoa woman Erica Ransfield, 23, is one of seven girls who is about to prove her...... Read More

In 1893 there was no such thing as lycra. Probably a good thing some would say. Women of that era rode their bicycles in their everyday clothing – ankle length dresses and stylish hats included. Frocks on Bikes is a modern-day movement that...... Read More

A Welcome Bay resident is rallying his community in a bid to reclaim a public waterfront reserve that has been encroached by fences, plantings and other structures erected by private homeowners. The Welcome Bay Road Esplanade runs along the waterfront...... Read More

A national ratepayers’ report has found the Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s rates to be the highest in New Zealand, with an average residential rates bill of $3192. Tauranga City Council also came in with the highest residential...... Read More

It was a haunting accident scene – a vehicle wedged beneath the cab of a big transporter and both engulfed in flames. And another statistic, another life lost to the notorious SH2 between Tauranga and Katikati. It’s against this tragic...... Read More

Shona knew as soon as she finished her offering for the World of Wearable Art extravaganza that she had nailed it, that she had captured that special WOW factor. “I thought, yes, I’ve got it,” says Maori fibre artist, or weaver, Shona...... Read More

Bomber, Spitfire and Chester have lucked it. They’ve gone from sleazy alley cats with a potentially life-threatening disease, to fat cats living the high life in Papamoa. One minute they are living off street smarts, and now they’re beach...... Read More

Eleanor Taylor can recall her daughter crying just three times. This was one of those occasions, and the deeply saddest. “Amelia was distraught, absolutely distraught,” says Eleanor. “It was like a death.” That’s because...... Read More

Te Puke artist Bridget Reweti will be among 10 of New Zealand’s leading contemporary visual artists to have their work featured in the United Kingdom’s first major exhibition of Maori and Pacific culture this month. Oceania will run at...... Read More

Patients and visitors at Tauranga Hospital received a surprise visit from a couple of famous fairy-tale characters earlier this week, when Shrek and Princess Fiona popped in. The gruff but good-natured green ogre and his feisty princess (played by...... Read More