Weather Eye with John Maunder The chart below shows that since 1979, when reliable satellite observations became available, there has been little overall trend in the average tropospheric temperatures, apart from milder/warmer temperatures...... Read More

Winston Watusi Music Plus I often come across stories I'd like to share that have no musical component. That's why this column is called “Music Plus”; a certain amount of tangential leeway is allowed. Movies,...... Read More

Straight from city council A personal view, by Councillor Steve Morris There’s something remarkably similar about most Council election signs; they’re 50 shades of blue. Sure, there might be the odd orange sign standing...... Read More

Daniel Hutchinson From The Hutch There has been a lot of talk  about Maori seats lately so we have decided to look at what this  means exactly. Firstly, it’s important to note that we are not talking about an intricately...... Read More

Sideline Sid Sports correspondent & historian www.sunlive.co.nz There are few sporting trophies in New Zealand, that inspire such passionate fervour and player and fans support, than the rugby trophy universally known as the...... Read More

Weather Eye with John Maunder Global temperatures are compiled for various areas including global (land-ocean), global (meteorological stations), three latitude bands, and hemispheric, by the Goddard Institute for Space Studies...... Read More

Brian Rogers Rogers Rabbits www.sunlive.co.nz Board games are making a comeback during these uncertain times of pandemics and lockdowns. Families and friends are once again pushing the limits of frustration and patience by...... Read More

Winston Watusi Music Plus This week is all about Eugene O'Reilly's latest project: The Hallstars Volume One. Many know Eugene from the band Five O'Clock Shadow and his time at Bay City MusicWorks. He moved away a while...... Read More

Straight from city council A personal view, by Councillor Steve Morris In September 2019, letter boxes were stuffed with election paraphernalia, roadsides were crowded with candidate signs and promises made at candidates’...... Read More

Sideline Sid Sports correspondent & historian www.sunlive.co.nz The Mitre 10 Cup kicked off last weekend with much fanfare and lived up to expectations with seven games of pulsating action. The Bay of Plenty Steamers received...... Read More

Weather Eye with John Maunder The Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) is a standardized index based on the observed sea level pressure differences between Tahiti and Darwin, Australia. The SOI is a leading measure of the large-scale...... Read More

Winston Watusi Music Plus This week's column comes in two sections; there is no segue. The reason is that I've spent the week listening to one of the most remarkable local music projects I've heard in some time. It...... Read More

Straight from city council A personal view, by Councillor Steve Morris In 1967 and 1990, there were referenda on increasing the time between parliamentary elections from three years to four. At both referenda nearly 70 per cent...... Read More

Daniel Hutchinson From The Hutch It’s election time which means turning one’s attention to the issues that are important. This only takes an hour or two. A simple contemplation of what’s important to you. What...... Read More

Sideline Sid Sports correspondent & historian www.sunlive.co.nz Coronavirus has played havoc with New Zealand's sporting calendar, with a myriad of events and competitions disrupted and cancelled. One postponed event that...... Read More

Weather Eye with John Maunder Rainfalls for the month of August have been recorded in Tauranga since 1898, except for 1904, 1907, 1908 and 1909. From January 1898 to December 1904, the observation site was described as the Tauranga...... Read More

Winston Watusi Music Plus These are, to say the least, trying times for musicians. Faced with the current situation you can either postpone everything or push on through. Amongst those taking the latter route are Jan Preston,...... Read More

Daniel Hutchinson From The Hutch A lot has happened since I was last allowed out. Fortunately the straps were too loose, the straight jacket is in a crumpled heap on the floor and I’ve been laughing hysterically all the way...... Read More

Straight from city council A personal view, by Councillor Steve Morris Last week Council decided, by majority, to establish a separate Maori ward. The decision was met with acclaim by some; concern by others, and will almost...... Read More