Sideline SidSports correspondent & historian www.sunlive.co.nz The first trophy of the current Baywide rugby season will be decided on Saturday, with the completion of the premier qualifying rounds of play. Twelve teams kicked off in the balmy... Read More

Active Voicewith Sonia LyndsSport BOP Recreation team leader What a beautiful autumn weekend we have just had! Yes, you can feel that snow has landed somewhere down the country, but when the sun comes out, we still flock to the great outdoors to... Read More

Spotlight on...with Janne GuitarGirl I first saw this talented young woman perform a couple of years ago, and she literally ‘blew me away' when I saw her using a piece of Marley downpiping for a didgeridoo. She looked like she had a... Read More

Clayton MitchellNew Zealand First MP   What is a country supposed to do when 6.78 per cent of its population makes up 50 per cent of its crime statistics? That 6.78 per cent in New Zealand is our young people, aged 15-19 years old. They have... Read More

Brian RogersRogers Rabbits www.sunlive.co.nz The days are cooler and shorter and the usual seasonal arguments are flying.Mankind and womankind are debating the most vexing questions, some that have divided the human race for generations.•... Read More

Simon BridgesNational MP simonbridges.co.nz By this time next week we would have heard the Finance Minister deliver his Budget speech and we will be dissecting what this means for our community. A number of announcements have already been made,... Read More

Andrew von DadelszenCurrent BOP Regional Councillor Our Tauranga City ratepayers are frustrated with a costly bus system that just isn't working. There has been copious workshops both at Tauranga City Council (whose responsibility is the... Read More

Vanessa Dodunskifrom Enable Me When you first “consciously coupled” with your partner, things looked fine.  You are both in good jobs with good prospects. Your spouse worked hard, progressed quickly, you both enjoyed the perks... Read More

Melanie ShortCommunication and Operations Manager - Sport Bay of Plenty Did you know the Bay of Plenty has the highest preference for outdoor pursuits in New Zealand?* This isn't surprising, of course, considering the huge array of options... Read More

Weather Eyewith John Maunder Climate extremes in New Zealand, since instrumental records became available in the 1850's, show a range from the highest temperature of 42.4 degrees Celsius recorded in Rangiora on February 7, 1973, to the most intense... Read More

Sideline SidSports correspondent & historian www.sunlive.co.nz When one reaches the seventh decade, one sees a good number who started the race of life around the same time, falling at hurdles in the home straight. In recent weeks, two good acquaintances... Read More

Rebekah Sharpfrom Elm Tree Early Learning Centre Growing children who live sustainably, respect nature and have a heart for the environment is easy with these great tips from Rebekah Sharp from Elm Tree Early Learning Centre. Be a good role model... Read More

John ArtsAbundant Living www.johnarts.co.nz Co enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is one of the most important things made by your body. The crucial function of CoQ10 is to shuttle electrons in the final stage of making our energy.  The main symptom of low... Read More

Spotlight on...with Janne GuitarGirl Although now based in the USA, Mark Mazengarb was originally from Tauranga. His school friend got a guitar when he was eight years old, so Mark had to have one too. From that moment he was hooked, and he has... Read More

Brian RogersRogers Rabbits www.sunlive.co.nz One of the joys of spending a weekend with the adult children is enjoying a taste of their music preferences. However nothing could prepare me for Pirate Metal. It is quite disturbing for the delicate... Read More

Clayton MitchellNew Zealand First MP I have been speaking in the House about the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Bill – now passed, and coming into effect on July 1. With calls for reform of our emergency services and their funding models... Read More

Culinary Conversationswith Peter BlakewayFood writer, caterer and private chef What we eat is supposed to be fun and happy – not the scary and the competitive sport it is being portrayed as on our television screens.Delving into my Mediterranean... Read More

Straight from city councilA personal view,by Councillor Steve Morris After years of only being able to “look at, but not touch” Tauranga's waterfront, we celebrated the official opening of the new tidal stairs and pontoon last... Read More

Todd TalksBy Todd Muller New Zealand continues to be an attractive place to visit, work and live. More Kiwis are coming home, fewer are leaving, and more people from around the world want to come here. That's a credit to our international... Read More