Third warmest April on record

Posted on 20th May 2013 15:46 | By Anonymous Author

Weather Eyewith John Maunder Temperatures have been recorded in the Tauranga area at several sites over the last 100 years including the current Tauranga Airport site from June 1990. It is very common for areas such as Tauranga to have had different observation sites over the years and the readings from the earlier sites have been adjusted to...

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Green Party supports local candidates

Posted on 17th May 2013 12:28 | By Anonymous Author

Ian McLeanSpokesperson for the Green Party The Green Party has announced that it will support two local Tauranga candidates in the local body elections in 2013 – Dr Ian McLean and Delwyn Walker. Ian will stand for Bay of Plenty Regional Council in the Tauranga ward. Delwyn will stand for Tauranga City Council in the Te Papa / Welcome Bay...

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Liquefaction in the Bay

Posted on 17th May 2013 11:57 | By Anonymous Author

Brian AndersonThe Western Frontwww.sunlive.co.nz Recent reports of liquefaction problems in the Bay have worried some of the readers. Many mistakenly believe that liquefaction is a consequence of an earthquake but liquefaction will occur when any seemingly solid, sandy soil reaches a certain level of water saturation. The soil turns to slurry...

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Route K is costing local ratepayers

Posted on 17th May 2013 11:55 | By Anonymous Author

Independent viewsBy Brendan Horan Route K is costing local ratepayers $10,000 per day in interest. It was built, at the time, by our council which was frustrated with the slow progress of the State Agency (now NZTA), responsible for building roads. Desperate to do something to alleviate the stress on our local transport network, Route K was...

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Potential for Maori economy

Posted on 17th May 2013 11:52 | By Anonymous Author

Jane NeesBOP Regional Councillorwww.janenees.co.nz Many people are unaware of the size and potential of the Maori contribution to our economy in the Bay of Plenty. In the wider Bay region, the Maori asset base has been valued at $8.6 billion and delivers more than $1.2 billion to the region’s GDP– approximately 11 per cent of the...

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Delivering security, wellbeing, and respect to older New Zealanders

Posted on 17th May 2013 11:51 | By Anonymous Author

Simon BridgesNational MP simonbridges.co.nz Last Saturday, I opened the National SPCA Conference here in Tauranga. The work the SPCA does, in caring for and looking after neglected animals, is invaluable. So, I am always happy to support them in their work when I can. In parliament, we have been building up to this week’s budget. This Government’s...

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It's annual plan submission time at Council

Posted on 10th May 2013 11:23 | By Anonymous Author

Cr Bill FaulknerFaulkners Corner www.sunlive.co.nz This week elected members listened to submissions from submitters to Council’s proposed (draft) annual plan. As noted previously numbers of submissions are down to 133 and 566 pages of which 51 were signatures to a petition. A long way from 2500 pages and more than 1000 submissions in...

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Chairman blasts Tauranga Harbour Recreation Strategy

Posted on 10th May 2013 11:20 | By Anonymous Author

Brian AndersonThe Western Frontwww.sunlive.co.nz Outgoing chair of the Northern Harbour Recreation Forum, Selwyn Hill’s message was clear when he said that the 2008 Recreational Strategy Plan has proved to be a complete waste of time and ratepayers’ money. This document showed so much promise and stood to be a vehicle and means to...

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A fairer deal for children

Posted on 10th May 2013 11:19 | By Anonymous Author

Independent viewsBy Brendan Horan I want to advocate for a fair outcome for children affected by relationship breakdowns. As a father, I struggle with parental squabbles over the care and protection of our children.  In particular, those associated with broken relationships. I don’t advocate for couples remaining in dysfunctional and...

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Support for community gardens

Posted on 10th May 2013 11:17 | By Anonymous Author

Jane NeesBOP Regional Councillorwww.janenees.co.nz Last week, I visited Whangamata and saw its attractive civic gardens, filled with spinach and parsley, where local residents are encouraged to harvest produce for their own use. What a great idea, I thought, and I wondered why more local councils don’t do this sort of initiative. Turning...

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