Dazz SwitallaFlavour SecretsNo.1 The Strand Chef www.no1thestrand.co.nz Why I let the mint run wild and take over the strawberries and the raspberry patch I never know. I think now it's time to rip it all out and do something with it besides new... Read More

Brian RogersRogers Rabbits www.sunlive.co.nz We've warned you before about dodgy characters. First it was Donald Duck, who upset the PC brigade because he apparently runs around without pants. Predictably, some academics try to make a career... Read More

Claire RogersAll about wine www.sunlive.co.nz The Te Whare Ra 2011 Sauvignon Blanc is produced from grapes predominately from the Awatere Valley. The grapes for this wine are all handpicked. Anna Flowerday says they make wines that they like to... Read More

News HoundAdy & Flo www.sunlive.co.nz Move over Bear Grylls, the new adventurers are in town. We can scale any mountain, swim any lake and even launch ourselves into warm therapeutic waters of an indoor pooch pool. Ady and I packed our water wings... Read More

Cr Bill FaulknerFaulkners Corner www.sunlive.co.nz In a rare reversal of roles, council will get to repay ratepayers with the majority of this year's rates surplus. $3.2 million will be factored into reducing next year's rates requirement and a... Read More

Simon BridgesNational MP simonbridges.co.nz Last week I spoke to The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic. While this is a national organisation, it has a very strong presence locally, which is... Read More

Rising Sports Starswith Kelly Exelbyof Eves Realty If practice makes perfect then Mount Maunganui College's Amon Rimene is well on his way to achieving his lofty goal of being the number one rugby whistler on the planet. While most of his peers... Read More

Te Ururoa FlavellMP for Waiariki www.waiariki.maori.nz Tēnā anō tātou. It was a great pleasure to attend the recent National Māori Language Awards hosted this year in Tauranga. The great thing about these awards is the spread of... Read More

Ian McLeanSpokesperson for the Green Party It is prickle season again, with Onehunga weed (Soliva sessilis) invading our parks and gardens. There are sprays to control it, but those sprays (pyridine herbicides) are persistent in soil and compost... Read More

Jane NeesBOP Regional Councillorwww.janenees.co.nz Regional councillors have been fortunate to receive a couple of presentations recently from staff at Auckland City Council. There is no doubt that they have their act together and planning is well... Read More

Brian AndersonThe Western Frontwww.sunlive.co.nz This Friday the Local Government Commission is hearing verbal submission for appeals and objections against the council's representation decision. The commission is in charge now. It will be listening... Read More

Andrew von DadelszenFormer Regional Councillor Isn't it great that one of our local bodies, Tauranga City Council is finally looking at a major restructuring of their organisation? The reduction of 45 jobs, plus a further 32 by 2014, will be welcomed... Read More