Sun Media is saddened to announce the passing of director and owner Brian Rogers.

Dogged determination, a love of the community and hunting out the truth. This is just a number of ways to describe the man who, along with his wife Claire, founded SunMedia 22 years ago.

Brian died after a five-year battle with cancer on September 14, 2022, surrounded by his family, music, laughter and his dog.

Brian is well-known and loved by many people in Tauranga, and the wider Bay of Plenty community.

Some may also remember him for his unique ability of not being afraid to write what other people were thinking. Thus the birth of Rogers Rabbits.

Rabbits graced Page 2 of the Weekend Sun and the SunLive blog section for many years.

Brian's style of not beating around the bush sparked many a debate in the community. Sometimes good and sometimes bad. But as Brian once said: 'If you don't have someone talking or complaining about you, you're not doing your job as a journalist”.

It's that passion for journalism that saw Brian and Claire start Sun Media – an ambitious undertaking that included regional weekly newspaper The Weekend Sun, rural newspaper Coast & Country​ and Waterline Magazine.

Claire and Brian Rogers, with former Prime Minister John Key, and Brian's parents, Mick and Jean.

The couple saw that the region was ready for locally-owned, locally-operated, grassroots news, 'filling the needs of the community”.

They started out in 2nd Avenue – a tiny place and with one new car, Brian's mother's car and a bicycle. And from there, they worked with the community to grow.

They started SunLive – Sun Media's online news website – in 2009, as the hard news arm of the company.

It was on SunLive that Brian introduced the world to Moko the Dolphin, broke the news of the Rena grounding and many other breaking news stories over the years.

It's not just his journalism background Brian is known for. He was involved in Coastguard, volunteering his time to attend callouts and rescues. This was a true demonstration of his caring nature and willingness to help people.

Being a highly qualified skipper enabled Brian to be able to react quickly to any situation.

Brian was the first Tauranga resident to make contact with Moko – when the full-sized Bottlenose dolphin stole his paddle.

Brian was kayaking near the Sanford Wharf and put the paddle down to take a photo when Moko took his paddle.

Brian paddled after it using his hands. Meanwhile, Moko was last seen heading north towards the harbour entrance.

Brian was also the first one out on the water to assess the situation when the Rena grounded in October 2011.

He broke the news to the world on SunLive, Sun Media's online news website.

In the days and weeks that followed, Brian and his news team covered everything, from containers and oil coming ashore, to the clean-ups and community response.

It's the same dogged determination described at the top of this article that spurred the Rena coverage and translated into his everyday life from family to friends, Coastguard, music and being out on his boat in Whitianga with Claire and their dog Flo.

Brian and Flo.

Brian was the type of person who would see something in someone or a situation that nobody else would. He would then take on the challenge to get the best.

There have been many people who have passed through the doors of Sun Media, each will have their own story about Brian. Most journalists will now remember where apostrophes go!

One thing we can all agree is on is that Brian has left a lasting impression on our lives and our community.

'Sailed his last ocean, paddled his last river, drummed his last beat, caught his last fish, written his last word.”

Claire and Brian Rogers.