John Cronin BOP Regional Council Chairman www.envbop.govt.nz Mary-Anne MacLeod, the council's current group manager strategic development, is appointed as the new chief executive of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council. This is an important appointment... Read More

Paula Thompson BOP Regional Councillor www.envbop.govt.nz Recently I listened to the newly appointed head of Greenpeace here in New Zealand protest deep sea oil exploration and promote the launch of the Rainbow Warrior 111. Interesting to hear... Read More

Brian Anderson The Western Front www.sunlive.co.nz My first submission to the Western Bay of Plenty District Council Annual Plan questioned the current activity on the Katikati town centre. Council's responses confirmed that it is out of touch... Read More

Jane Nees BOP Regional Councillor www.janenees.co.nz The most important decision a governance body makes is the appointment of their CEO. For elected local authority councils, this is the only staff member they appoint - all the other staff are... Read More

Carol Stovold Quality Kids qualitykidz.co.nz I have worked in Playcentre and centre-based childcare during the many, many years I have been involved in early childhood. But for the last 14 years, I have worked in and owned Quality Kidz; a Home... Read More

Sideline Sid Sports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz Sidline Sid was delighted to see on SunLive last week that Hori BOP is back on board with the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union for at least the next two Steamers ITM Cup seasons. Hori BOP. While... Read More

Mary Parker Coaching the Attitude coachingtheattitude We have no right to ask when a sorrow comes, 'Why did this happen to me?” unless we ask the same question for every joy that comes our way. -Philip F. Bernstein When difficult things... Read More

Daz Switalla Flavour SecretsNo.1 The Strand Chef www.no1thestrand.co.nz While working in a restaurant in Greece, I was in parmesan paradise. Owner and chef Roberto used to buy wheels of the very best Parmigiano Reggiano. He taught me to prise out... Read More

John Arts Abundant Living www.johnarts.co.nz Auto-immune diseases are sort of like transplant organ rejection in reverse. The only difference is that in transplant organ rejection the recipient's immune system attacks the new organ because it does... Read More

Claire Rogers Cool products and foodie things www.sunlive.co.nz If you are looking for a spectacular looking dip to put in the centre of a platter, then the Georgatti Delicious Baby Tricolour definitely fits the bill. A very moorish, layered blend... Read More

Andrew Nimick Point Concept twitter.com/andrewnim I mentioned a New Zealand made learning management system in my last post called Litmos. www.litmos.com/ is a great system which was built for business use. The whole thing came about when Rich's... Read More

Dr Michael Morris Animal welfare writer nzchas.canterbury The annual cull of black swans in the Tauranga harbour made it to the national press and certainly did not put the Bay of Plenty in a very good light. In the United Kingdom... Read More