Jane Nees BOP Regional Councillor www.janenees.co.nz On my way to Cardiff recently for the birth of a new grandchild, I stopped off in London to attend a conference on climate change. Called ‘Navigating the Green Economy', the conference... Read More

Brian Anderson The Western Front www.sunlive.co.nz Democracy did not stand much of a chance this year during the Western Bay of Plenty Annual Plan hearings. The generalised pamphlet with rate information came out well before the final plan and... Read More

Dr Anna Rolleston The Cardiac Clinic Life is busy these days: There is always something that needs to be done, that should have been done by now or that will definitely need to be done tomorrow. We often have very little time to sit back and smell... Read More

John Arts Abundant Living www.johnarts.co.nz I love to fossick around in often obscure scientific data for little gems and recently found a beauty. I have long advocated two main reasons for taking a good nutritional supplement: The first is that... Read More

Dawn Kiddie Great grub in a minute www.sunlive.co.nz This is a light tasty and quick evening meal option. You can mix and match what vegetables you will use for this dish as long as they are fresh and cooked at a high heat quickly to retain colour... Read More

Write Space Literary news, views and reviews http://taurangawriters.org.nz This week's Write Space is a synopsis of the novel ‘The Chosen One'. It is written by its author, one CJ Rift. ‘The Chosen One' is a fantasy-adventure/ comedy/... Read More

Sideline Sid Sports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz In recent years, the Steamers have become very adept at contracting players from outside the province - often at bargain basement prices. One of the great advantages that the Steamers... Read More

Pete Morris Art blogger www.sunlive.co.nz Tauranga artist Bryce Brown has gifted his painting ‘Mangatawa' to the Tauranga City Council's Civic Art Collection. Mangatawa, painted on canvas with acrylic paints, represents the Maori tale of... Read More

Brian Anderson The Western Front www.sunlive.co.nz George and I were given the opportunity to speak at hearings for the regional and district council Annual Plans last week. Hearings like these are the only occasions for individuals to go face-to-face... Read More

Paula Thompson BOP Regional Councillor www.envbop.govt.nz Councils have annual plans where a draft plan and budget is presented to the community to enable feedback before the final plan and budget is finalised. The plan sets out what is to be done,... Read More

Te Ururoa Flavell MP for Waiariki www.waiariki.maori.nz Tenatatoukatoa. Last week would have been one of the busiest so far this year. The budget announcement on Thursday kicked off a few days of urgency, so it was time spent away from home, in... Read More

Claire Rogers All about wine www.sunlive.co.nz Think warm toasty dinning room, good friends, good food and a bottle of this fab Saint Clair 2010 Merlot. I can't think of a better way to beat the winter blues. I really enjoyed this delicious Merlot,... Read More