John ArtsAbundant Living www.johnarts.co.nz One of life's great contradictions is that the very processes that support our life are responsible for taking it. Our life is dependent on the oxygen we breathe and the conversion and release of energy... Read More

Simon BridgesNational MP simonbridges.co.nz New Zealanders are innovative, it's in our DNA. We're breeding the best livestock on the planet, we designed the first jet boat, and we invented the bungy. We're building world-class health software and... Read More

Brian RogersRogers Rabbits www.sunlive.co.nz The viewer's guide to all things water On the eve of the Olympics it's great to see a fine line up of Bay athletes ready to give their best. From our spectacular cover shot this week, featuring Mike... Read More

Cr Bill FaulknerFaulkners Corner www.sunlive.co.nz Following on from last week's column, Tauranga City has an interim chief executive. Leigh Auton was appointed to the interim position at last Friday's confidential council meeting. He started on... Read More

Weather Eyewith John Maunder If you are feeling the cold this winter, you might be thankful that you were not around in England in 1565, when the Thames was frozen solid between Christmas Day and January 13 and Queen Elizabeth I enjoyed daily trips... Read More

Jane NeesBOP Regional Councillorwww.janenees.co.nz At least once every six years, councils are required to undertake a representation review - on what their electoral constituencies should be and how many elected representatives each should have. Since... Read More

Ian McLeanSpokesperson for the Green Party When cheap housing is disguised as affordable housing, the real costs are spread across more time than the original build. That means higher running costs for maintenance, energy (including that long commute... Read More

Andrew von DadelszenFormer Regional Councillor For my mind it is a good thing that the water ownership issue has finally surfaced. This insistence on ownership by iwi is the tipping point where mainstream New Zealanders will draw a line in the... Read More

Brian AndersonThe Western Frontwww.sunlive.co.nz First, the bad news. You have been done. Forget about the council boast of a 'real rate rise' of only 1%. The Long Term Plan, just released, has set the average rate rise at 9.5%. With the fiddle... Read More

Daz SwitallaFlavour SecretsNo.1 The Strand Chef www.no1thestrand.co.nz Winter is a good time to do some baking and often we tend to eat all manner of steamed puddings and crumbles. Seasonal winter vegetables provide us with great bases for soups... Read More

On sitewith Certified Builders PresidentJason McClintock The advent of the Licensed Building Practitioner scheme has many building practitioners questioning themselves what additional liabilities the new scheme now imposes on them. Litigation brought... Read More

AMPAULwith Paul KendonArts and entertainment blogger She Jus Greedy played at the Welcome Bay Sports Club at the weekend and it was a real treat. Hitting the stage a little after the Chiefs game against the Hurricanes on Friday night half time... Read More