I reply to your correspondents M Walmsley 5/7/13 And Maureen Guy 12/7/13. I feel they are both being very negative. M Walmsley says Tauranga is a depressing looking city to arrive in. Goodness gracious, Tauranga is one of the most beautiful cities in New Zealand with its harbour and lovely beaches.

People come here by the thousands to holiday. Cruise boats call into our great port bringing millions into our economy. I'm sorry M. Walmsley driving into Tauranga is more attractive than Rotorua or Hamilton. Just think of those two cities and the industrial areas you have you drive through to enter most ways.

When entering our city we have from the West the greenery of the Tauranga Golf Club and racecourse, from the north the picturesque Wairoa river and Bethlehem, the south lovely Pyes Pa and from the east the beach front or harbourside through Te Maunga to Maungatapu. Fancy comparing Hamilton Lake to all our lovely parks around our harbour and inner city. If you want to see ducks, swans, Canada geese and even eels go down to our Gordon Carmichael Reserve or do you not know where it is?

Yes the CBD has a problem but it is mainly a parking one. I'm sure it will be sorted and I commend the retailers and restaurateurs of downtown, they have great shops and cafe bar scene. And to Maureen Guy, yes we probably do need more Christmas attractions. Possibly a connection could be made with the Lions or Rotary Clubs and they may be able to help. Keep positive, we live in a beautiful city and country.

Barry Roach, Brookfield.