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Latest FromSamantha Motion

Millions in reparation payments are overdue in the Bay of Plenty. Photo / File

PREMIUM

Samantha Motion: Reparation delays add insult to injury

13 Jan, 2020 10:13am
3 minutes to read

Comment: Ensuring reparation system doesn't re-victimise people is the least we can do.

Mount Maunganui's New Year's Eve party was 'iconic', say some. Photo / File

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Call to bring back New Year's Eve party at Mount Maunganui

12 Jan, 2020 11:00am
7 minutes to read

'It was a national highlight and we closed it down.'

One of the Urban Form and Transport Initiative's ideas includes passenger rail (orange line) across Tauranga as well as priority public transport (yellow) and a ferry (sky blue). Graphic / UFTI

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Big ideas: Four visions for Western Bay transport and housing

10 Jan, 2020 6:15am
7 minutes to read

'We can't all continue to move in cars – we just can't simply build enough motorway.'

Toni Nolan and Alex Pirini with their newborn son Riley Anthony Pirini-Nolan. Photo / Samantha Motion

PREMIUM

Life of Riley: Meet Tauranga's first baby of the new decade

2 Jan, 2020 8:08am
3 minutes to read

'Chilled out' baby boy arrives shortly after midnight.

People are willing to change their mode of transport, if the alternatives are good. Photo / File

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

2020: The year the Bay gets a real transport plan

1 Jan, 2020 10:00am
3 minutes to read

Other projects may need to take a back seat.

NEW ZEALAND

Opinion: Shout out to the unsung gems behind our honourees

31 Dec, 2019 11:00am
3 minutes to read

Recognising the people who quietly make way for greatness.

James Muir has been awarded a Queens Service Medal for services to the community. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Dual awakenings lead to community-based honour

31 Dec, 2019 5:00am
3 minutes to read

'I have never looked back,' says James Muir.

Tauranga City Council elected to leave permanently retaining the uncut slope between Aneta Way and Lakes Boulevard to the buyer. Photo / George Novak

BUSINESS

Why council hasn't retained risky Bella Vista slope

23 Dec, 2019 10:28am
4 minutes to read

Construction, deconstruction - what's next for the reconstruction as costs hit $10m.

Margaret Murray-Benge and Don Brash in 2016. Photo / File

PREMIUM

The relationship ended, but the $10k donation remained

22 Dec, 2019 11:00am
2 minutes to read

Former National leader behind Western Bay's biggest election donation.

Tauranga mayor Tenby Powell had the priciest campaign of the election. Photo / File

PREMIUM

Election expenses reveal biggest spenders, donations

22 Dec, 2019 6:00am
4 minutes to read

One candidate spent almost the legal limit.

Pāpāmoa East is one area the Government has bought several new state houses. Photo / File

BUSINESS

Tauranga's $9m state house spend-up

19 Dec, 2019 6:46am
6 minutes to read

New state houses: Where they are and why critics say they aren't coming fast enough.

Mark Inman whose brother Hayden Marshall-Inman was killed on White Island during the eruption says he will be

NEW ZEALAND

White Island tour guide's family 'forever hopeful'

18 Dec, 2019 6:10pm
3 minutes to read

'It's in the hands of Tangaroa. We will leave it for him to decide.'

Ōtamataha Trust chairman Puhirake Ihaka and Elms Foundation chairman Ian Thomas. Photo / George Novak

PREMIUM

Decision ends year-long 'dog's breakfast' of a process

18 Dec, 2019 9:00am
4 minutes to read

'I'm very, very, very happy that it's finally happened.'

Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Andrew Little. Photo / File

PREMIUM

'Ad hoc, opaque and ever-changing': Waitangi Tribunal slams Crown

17 Dec, 2019 4:00pm
5 minutes to read

Minister accepts criticisms: 'The Crown isn't perfect, the Crown gets it wrong.'

Tauranga City Council has decided to give 11 Mission Street to the Ōtamataha Trust. Photo/Supplied.

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Council gives historic land to Māori trust

17 Dec, 2019 1:15pm
Quick Read

Votes a year of flip-flopping.

Dr Kim McGregor, the Government's chief victims' advisor, is happy with a Tauranga court revamp that will better protect victims of crime. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Victims of crime sworn at, spat at: advocate

17 Dec, 2019 11:00am
Quick Read

Many victims of crime do not feel safe.

Rotorua's courthouse may be rebuilt. Photo / File

PREMIUM

'It's a disgrace': Rotorua's courthouse may be rebuilt

17 Dec, 2019 8:00am
4 minutes to read

There are hopes Rotorua will be next after $100m announced for Tauranga court rebuild.

Wet wipes often contain plastic and don't break down like paper, leading to blockages. Photo / Supplied

THE COUNTRY

Fighting fatbergs: Blockages down 40pc after campaign

16 Dec, 2019 11:00am
3 minutes to read

"Wet wipes lurk in pipes and bind with fat to create rock-hard fatbergs."

Drugs seized by Customs found hidden on the container ship Southern Moana on November 18. Photo / Customs

NEW ZEALAND

Seamen jointly charged over $17m P bust

12 Dec, 2019 11:14am
Quick Read

Customs seized the methamphetamine from a cargo ship in the Port of Tauranga.

An aerial view of White Island after Monday's eruption. Photo / George Novak

NEW ZEALAND

'Dreadful decision': Families split between hospitals

11 Dec, 2019 2:49pm
4 minutes to read

"People had to make a decision as to where they would go and who they would be with."

An aerial view of downtown Tauranga and Mauao. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Move to cap Tauranga's rates increase to 3.9 per cent

10 Dec, 2019 2:24pm
2 minutes to read

But some argued a higher increase was needed to fund capital projects.

The 1400sqm section at 11 Mission St neighbouring The Elms is valued at over $1m. Photo / Supplied

PREMIUM

11 Mission St decision heading for a do-over

10 Dec, 2019 9:51am
3 minutes to read

But protests continue over councillor's treaty comments.

Two Bella Vista houses have yet to be removed from the subdivision. Photo / Andrew Warner

PREMIUM

Bella Vista subdivision on the market

7 Dec, 2019 7:00am
5 minutes to read

'We want to do our very best by ratepayers.'

Two properties are yet to be removed from the Bella Vista subdivision at The Lakes. Photo / Andrew Warner

PREMIUM

'Hastalavista': Mayor apologises over council Bella Vista gaffe

6 Dec, 2019 5:41pm
2 minutes to read

Mayor 'deeply embarrassed' over staffer's insensitive action.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council chief executive Fiona McTavish. Photo / File

PREMIUM

Meaty issue: Council goes vegetarian to fight climate change

5 Dec, 2019 1:43pm
5 minutes to read

Leading the way or a ham-fisted move?

Why is Christmas shopping so much worse than regular gift shopping? Photo / Getty Images

PREMIUM

Samantha Motion: Creeping costs are ruining Christmas

23 Nov, 2019 5:10pm
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: All this festive spending is getting out of hand.

Trash dumped into Whakatāne's Awatapu Lagoon. Photo / Supplied

PREMIUM

Samantha Motion: Fly tippers are scum. So here's what we should do with them

22 Nov, 2019 10:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: It's time to pump up the penalties and stop the culprits.

Tauranga banned begging and rough sleeping near shops in three shopping areas. Photo / Getty Images

PREMIUM

Samantha Motion: Good riddance to Tauranga's begging ban

20 Nov, 2019 10:13am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: What was the end goal of banning begging and rough sleeping?

Fireworks lakeside in Rotorua earlier this year. Photo / File

PREMIUM

Why we shouldn't ban public sales of fireworks

2 Nov, 2019 6:00pm
3 minutes to read

Comment: Safety is paramount but a blanket ban is a step too far.

Tauranga City Council chief executive Marty Grenfell, one year in. Photo / George Novak

PREMIUM

'It was overwhelming': Council boss Marty Grenfell one year on

2 Nov, 2019 4:00pm
6 minutes to read

Plus: Meet his new inner circle - two survivors, a rocker, a mall manager and more.

Now nearly finished, Durham St has wider footpaths, new trees and gardens. Photo / Samantha Motion

PREMIUM

'Thank god it's over': Controversial $10.2m Durham St revamp nearly finished

31 Oct, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

But changes have come too late for some businesses.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council chairman Doug Leeder and project manager Annabel Chappell in front of the nearly-finished Regional House. Photo / George Novak

PREMIUM

Unwrapped: $22.6m upgrade of Regional House almost done

30 Oct, 2019 10:00am
4 minutes to read

Work started in March 2017.

Councillor Andrew Hollis during the inaugural meeting of the newly elected Tauranga City Council. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Māori hit back: Councillor accused of 'hate speech'

25 Oct, 2019 10:00am
4 minutes to read

But Andrew Hollis denies the allegation and says people are just choosing to be offended.

Tauranga City Council staff picketing outside the council chambers. Photo / Jean Bell

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

'Ludicrous': Council staff strike over pay

25 Oct, 2019 8:55am
5 minutes to read

New hires making more than longer-serving workers, union says

Tauranga mayor Tenby Powell. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

What happened when Tauranga's mayor and Hollis met

25 Oct, 2019 8:00am
3 minutes to read

Hollis admits he has 'a lot to learn'.

Buddy Mikaere points to the Treaty in protest during the speech of councillor Andrew Hollis. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Walkouts, protests and boycott: Council meeting hit by drama

25 Oct, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Return of the cloak and the mystery of the missing hat. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Wall hangings depicting the Treaty of Waitangi in the Tauranga City Council are re-hung after a protestor ripped them down during the swearing-in of the new council today. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Treaty wall hangings put back up after council protester rips them down

24 Oct, 2019 2:45pm
3 minutes to read

Protests as council sworn in. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Tauranga Mayor Tenby Powell, left, and his choice for deputy mayor, Larry Baldock. Photo / Leah Tebbutt

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Tauranga's deputy mayor revealed

23 Oct, 2019 4:12pm
4 minutes to read

Powell's pick might come as a surprise to some given his comments during the campaign.

Tauranga councillor Andrew Hollis. Photo / George Novak

NEW ZEALAND

Treaty row: Tauranga mayor calls on embattled councillor to resign

23 Oct, 2019 11:04am
5 minutes to read

The councillor is sticking to his guns and refuses to stand down.

Gregory Stowell, senior operation supervisor with NZ Bus, with one of Tauranga's new electric buses. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

'A good first step': Electric buses arrive at last

22 Oct, 2019 6:00pm
4 minutes to read

The Tauranga electric buses are twice as expensive as a diesel model but cheaper to run.

Three cars were torched in the early hours of Sunday. Photos / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Cars torched: House linked to Mongols gang

22 Oct, 2019 2:37pm
5 minutes to read

Residents woke to the sound of bangs and saw three cars burning on the street.

Triplets Sebastian, Dominik and Julian Polomka, aged nine, had three times the fun. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

'Essential' skills: Pool takeover to stop drownings

21 Oct, 2019 9:00pm
2 minutes to read

"They do teach it at school, but not like we were taught."

Two cars and a van were found burning in Kanaka Close. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Investigations launched after three vehicles torched

20 Oct, 2019 2:50pm
Quick Read

Both police and Fire and Emergency have labelled the incident 'suspicious'.

Tenby Powell opens up in his most in-depth interview since winning the Tauranga mayoralty. Photo / George Novak

NEW ZEALAND

Tenby Powell: Blue-collar beginnings to rich lister

19 Oct, 2019 6:08am
11 minutes to read

Tauranga's new mayor talks about fatherhood, army life, business matters and his new role.

New Tauranga mayor Tenby Powell at his victory party on Saturday. Photo / George Novak

PREMIUM

Samantha Motion: What Tenby Powell needs in a deputy mayor

16 Oct, 2019 7:00am
3 minutes to read

He says he wants a woman but would an experienced councillor be a better pick?

Josh Te Kani missed out on a Tauranga City Council seat this time, but says he'll try again. Photo / George Novak

NEW ZEALAND

Local government diversity explosion? Not in Tauranga

16 Oct, 2019 6:00am
4 minutes to read

But one councillor says only diversity of thought matters, not 'genetic diversity'.

Tenby Powell has been elected mayor of Tauranga. Photo / File

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

In limbo: The handover week when the new mayor can't act

15 Oct, 2019 9:00am
2 minutes to read

Who's in charge of governing Tauranga City Council between now and the swearing-in?

Sharon Hunter speaking at Tenby Powell's campaign wrap party at Classic Flyers on Saturday. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Sharon Hunter: The woman beside Tenby Powell

15 Oct, 2019 8:00am
3 minutes to read

Sharon Hunter made millions from the sale of a business she founded age 22.

Kelvin Clout has been re-elected at large for a third term. Photo / File

PREMIUM

'Egos at the door': Tauranga's re-elected councillors on the new team

15 Oct, 2019 8:00am
4 minutes to read

Kelvin Clout "pretty gutted" to have missed out on mayoralty for the third time.

New Tauranga City Council councillors Dawn Kiddie, Jako Abrie, Tina Salisbury, Heidi Hughes and Andrew Hollis. Photos / George Novak / File

PREMIUM

Meet Tauranga's new councillors - including one about to have an awkward chat with his boss

14 Oct, 2019 4:00pm
3 minutes to read

Tauranga's five new elected members are looking forward to their journey ahead.

Re-elected Western Bay mayor Garry Webber with new Tauranga mayor Tenby Powell. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

New mayor Tenby Powell creates to-do list

14 Oct, 2019 12:07pm
2 minutes to read

The issues top of the new mayor's to-do list

Rick Curach has lost his seat on Tauranga City Council. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

A 'little hiccup' haunted councillor

14 Oct, 2019 10:00am
3 minutes to read

Long-serving councillor Rick Curach has lost his bid for a seventh term.

PREMIUM

Councillor ousted in tight race says he's done with politics

14 Oct, 2019 8:00am
3 minutes to read

'That's the way the cookie crumbles,' says philosophical losing candidate.

New Tauranga mayor Tenby Powell and his wife, business leader Sharon Hunter at Kulim Park. Photo / George Novak

PREMIUM

'Put away the hatchets' - Tenby Powell says he will unite city

14 Oct, 2019 6:00am
5 minutes to read

'Something special is happening here'

The new Tauranga mayor Tenby Powell. Photo / George Novak

PREMIUM

Samantha Motion: How Tenby Powell went from moving home to mayor in five months

14 Oct, 2019 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Did you know who Tenby Powell was five months ago?

Bill Grainger, left, and Terry Molloy. Photos / File

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Grainger's in, Terry Molloy rolled by late votes

13 Oct, 2019 2:44pm
Quick Read

Late votes see swap for seat on Tauranga City Council.

Tauranga City Council electoral officer Warwick Lampp. Photo / File

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Tauranga election: Voter turnout lifts after last-minute surge

13 Oct, 2019 11:08am
Quick Read

Voter turnout may be trending upwards after all.

Bill Grainger and Terry Molloy are in a race for the second Welcome Bay-Te Papa ward seat. Photos / File

PREMIUM

30 votes in it: Tauranga's closest election race hangs on last-minute, special votes

13 Oct, 2019 6:00am
3 minutes to read

'It's in the lap of the gods'

The new Tauranga Mayor Tenby Powell with supporters at his campaign wrap party at Classic Flyers. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

'Something special is happening here': Tenby Powell addresses supporters

12 Oct, 2019 2:56pm
3 minutes to read

Ten people stood for mayor of Tauranga. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Family violence is not okay. Photo / File (posed by models)

PREMIUM

Samantha Motion: This is an indictment on our community

10 Oct, 2019 4:00am
3 minutes to read

As a community, we should be outraged

President Donald Trump speaks to the media in July. AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

PREMIUM

'Normalised negativity': When did local body elections get so nasty?

5 Oct, 2019 12:00pm
3 minutes to read

Is this all Trump's influence?

NEW ZEALAND

'Road rage': Council candidate admits assaulting elderly woman

5 Oct, 2019 5:08am
4 minutes to read

'Is this even a story?' says candidate who pushed elderly lady.