News HoundAdy & Flo www.sunlive.co.nz What a mad, crazy week it has been in dogland. Ady and I have been so flat out doing important dog stuff, there's been no time for real work, such as writing a dog column. We've had a little English girl staying... Read More

Cr Bill FaulknerFaulkners Corner www.sunlive.co.nz It's been a quiet week at Council with no scheduled meetings allowing elected members to catch up on some of the not so urgent stuff that goes on. Last week Council adopted its annual report for... Read More

Paula ThompsonBOP Regional Councillorwww.envbop.govt.nz The Regional Council is coordinating the development of a regional waste strategy. The intention is to build on the existing district-wide Waste Management Plans which are about waste minimisation... Read More

Ian McLeanSpokesperson for the Green Party Community is about networks, security, local food, and knowing your neighbours. It is about people sharing resources and building resilience against external forces such as fuel prices. The Welcome Bay... Read More

Jane NeesBOP Regional Councillorwww.janenees.co.nz At 9.26am on September 26, New Zealand held its first nationwide earthquake drill - called New Zealand ShakeOut. More than 1.3 million people participated, which was a fantastic response. It was... Read More

Brian AndersonThe Western Frontwww.sunlive.co.nz I had a ring last week from a ratepayer upset with his $800 rate rise. He wrote a polite letter asking council for an explanation. He received a reply signed by a senior administrator that assured... Read More

First ImpressionsBy Brendan Horan The most critical issue facing our country is the loss of employment opportunities and the resulting social and economic fallout. Thousands of jobs have been lost since the National-led government took over in... Read More

Sideline SidSports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz New sporting seasons always bring fresh expectation, opportunity and hope - no matter what went before in previous times. This Saturday eight Bay of Plenty premier cricket teams will... Read More

Nick ChambersFundamentals Team Leader Sport Bay of Plenty Sport Bay of Plenty's GO4it programme is now coming to the end of its second year. The GO4it programme is a comprehensive skills programme that aims to increase the fundamental skills... Read More

Graeme ElvinMackenzie Elvin So, I see that the latest piece of really important legislation to restore our economy has hit the table, namely, the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill aka 'the Gay Marriage Bill”. Now I don't want... Read More

Wendy Simisterof Wendy's Boutique With the party and wedding season fast approaching, I thought this week would be the perfect opportunity to give everyone a head start on their wardrobe, while there is still plenty to choose from. This season... Read More

Pete MorrisArt blogger www.sunlive.co.nz Accomplished and much-respected Tauranga artist Richard Smith has paintings of his travels abroad ready for exhibition. Richard has collated works from his past 10 years of travel for his exhibition at Harrisons... Read More