New Zealand may be suffering hard economic times, but you wouldn't know it from the number of festivals arriving over summer. Every week, it seems, more and more... Read More

Dear Simon Bridges, I realize you have an election going on and are probably a little busy at the moment, but can I please take a little of your time to draw your... Read More

They say bad news comes in threes and this week the Bay had its third piece of bad news. There's still a large hunk of metal hanging onto one of our most important... Read More

I have a new album from Ritchie Pickett playing on the stereo right now, and it's great to hear him again. It was always possible that Ritchie's death would yield... Read More

It's bits and bobs this week, a few catch ups and titbits to tide us through. It's hard to concentrate when you're angry and in a state of disbelief and, like most... Read More

It's been a while since I visited Hunter Thompson Land in the column, what with the Doc being dead and all, but things are afoot so this week we'll sneak back for... Read More

I've been rediscovering my love for the guitar recently, so I was going to try and avoid mentioning the Rugby World Cup this week. But it just keeps going doesn't... Read More

Oops! It seems that Tauranga has rather dropped the ball as far as the Rugby World Cup goes. Big screens? No big screens? Arguments raged as to whether there should... Read More

Just as the Rugby World Cup comes to a close in October, the Tauranga Arts Festival kicks off and it is offering something for everyone. Like all good arts festivals,... Read More

It has been a funny week. Perhaps it's the sound of a nation holding its collective breath. There is no way that anyone in this country who watches television, listens... Read More

There are times when Tauranga seems a bit quiet on the cultural front - this is not one of them. In fact, it appears that we are about to enter a couple of months... Read More

I sometimes wonder exactly what the words ‘local' and ‘community' really mean when it comes to music, be it on the radio or at festivals. Once again,... Read More