Young members of ICONZ Xtreme participated in the organisation’s annual river raft race on Tuesday night. ICONZ Xtreme is the revamped version of the Boys’ Brigade and is typically associated with a church. The 40 boys, aged 11-12, were divided into teams of four and built rafts to race down the Wairoa River. Bethlehem ICONZ Xtreme group leader Garry Pall says it was a great team building exercise for the boys. The Bethlehem team won the event. Those interested in joining More...

Kaimai cheese is among the best in the country following success at the 2010 Cuisine New Zealand Cheese Awards. In just its second year of entering the awards, the Waikato-based Kaimai Cheese Company’s medal haul includes three golds, three silvers, four bronze and a trophy. Kaimai Cheese Company cheeses swept the awards. Among its award winners are a bocconcini, feta and creamy blue. While Kaimai may be a relative newcomer to the industry, it draws heavily on the old with its More...

Tauranga model Candy Barry says her nerves were in overload on Saturday night when she began her campaign to win entry to the 2010 Miss World New Zealand Pageant. Candy participated in the Beach Beauty Competition and Top Model Competition in the ‘fast track’ event in Hamilton – the first of four ‘fast track’ events. Candy Barry competes in the 2010 Miss World New Zealand Pageant fast track events in Hamilton on Saturday. Picture courtesy of Capture Life More...

Nobody can peel and eat a kiwifruit as fast as Te Puke’s Leigh-Ann Spedding. At the Kiwifruit Festival Fiesta in the Park held in Te Puke on Sunday, Leigh-Ann scoffed down a kiwifruit in just 3.51 seconds – smashing the previous Guinness world record of 5.3 seconds. To achieve this wondrous feat, Leigh-Ann squished the kiwifruit from the skin and swallowed. Leigh-Ann Spedding, Mike Rogers and Samantha Statham compete to become world record holders in Te Puke. Coming second in More...

Youth Leaders from Welcome Bay Community Centre are to be trained by Tauranga Mountain Safety Council starting this weekend. This will enable the leaders to take teenagers from the community out in the bush safely. MSC is a not-for-profit organisation with the sole aim of promoting safe practice and survival skill for people hoping to enjoy the outdoor experience. Welcome Bay Community Centre Coordinator Gerry Purcell says, "It is alarming knowing how little young people know about the More...

Making the decision to get fit is one easily made by many people, but actually following through on the self promises of regular exercise and healthy eating can be troublesome. A tried and true method of sticking to a healthy lifestyle is having the right support network. See below for video of Luis’ corporate workout programme. A big part of this for many people is having a professional personal trainer, who is able to engage, encourage and compel good habits. To help SunLive More...

Children of all ages got down and dirty at the annual Western BOP Scouts Mudslide Day on Sunday. The mudslide was set up on the Bruning family dairy farm in Pahoia which had a ‘hillslide’ and many swampy areas where slides and muddy obstacles were created. Getting muddy was all part of the fun at the Western BOP Scouts Mudslide Day. Activities were based on a military style training course, but toned down for youth (and adults) and showcased the fun and adventure scouting has More...

Tauranga horse rider Emma Bennet is in the running for the New Zealand Riding for the Disabled rider of the year award. Tauranga RDA CEO Kat Macmillan says Emma’s enthusiasm, determination and outstanding riding and horsemanship achievements are the qualities that have earned her the nomination. Emma Bennet is Tauranga RDA’s nomination for New Zealand RDA rider of the year. Emma’s parents, Duane and Manu Bennet, say they are extremely proud of the abilities she has More...

Organisers of the 2010 New Balance Great Lake Relay are expecting a record turnout for the event on Saturday. The 5.2-14.4km running and walking relay legs around Lake Taupo attracted more than 5000 starters in 2009 and this number is expected to be eclipsed. An addition for 2010 event is the introduction of the Nature Valley Length of the Lake relay. This new event caters for smaller teams of five to eight members who can run or walk to complete the eight 4.7km to 15km legs from Pukawa More...

They ran out of cereal for the cyclists who turned up at Red Square this morning as part of the Bike Wise Month on national Go-by-Bike Day. “I didn’t expect so many, it’s great,” says Sport Bay of Plenty active living coordinator Penny Mitropoulos from the Bike Wise team. See video interview below of Penny Mitropolous talking about the more than 100 cyclists who turned out for the Bike Wise Month ride to work breakfast in Red Square. More than a 100 cyclists More...