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Latest FromSamantha Motion

Hordes of hoardings on Devonport Rd. Photo / Andrew Warner

PREMIUM

OPINION: Weird and wonderful Bay political slogans

18 Sep, 2019 4:35pm
3 minutes to read

It ain't easy coming up with a pithy political catchphrase, but candidates have tried.

Warwick Lampp of electionz.com. Photo / Andrew Warner

NEW ZEALAND

Three years, 19,500 invalid votes: Why expert says STV is not the problem

18 Sep, 2019 10:00am
4 minutes to read

'People just keep ticking': How voters are confused under STV system.

Ōtamataha Trust chairman and Elms Foundation trustee Puhirake Ihaka. Photo / File

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

'Total frustration': Council might take back 11 Mission St decision

17 Sep, 2019 4:15pm
3 minutes to read

Lawyers advised the council could not revoke the decision today.

11 Mission St, the land in question, is outlined in blue.

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Lawyers: Council 'should not revoke' 11 Mission St decision

17 Sep, 2019 10:29am
2 minutes to read

Discussion deferred to this afternoon

This 42m superyacht, Elisea Nova, has been turning heads of motorists on the Tauranga Harbour Bridge. Photo / Phil Wardale

BUSINESS

Why a Tauranga man bought a $4.49m superyacht

17 Sep, 2019 8:00am
3 minutes to read

For $4.49m you could buy a mansion in the Mount - or this superyacht.

11 Mission St is a 1400sq m section valued at $1m and next door to The Elms. Graphic / Tauranga City Council

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Elms endorses giving Mission St to ŌtamatahaTrust

16 Sep, 2019 3:36pm
2 minutes to read

Showdown brewing in council meeting as some push to overturn last week's decision.

Brian Berry, chairman of Downtown Tauranga. Photo / File

PREMIUM

Downtown Tauranga board rules over email controversy

12 Sep, 2019 3:02pm
2 minutes to read

No conflict of interest, says Downtown Tauranga board

A side-by-side shot of the design and post value-engineering construction of Te Papa O Ngā Manu Porotakataka. Images / Tauranga City Council

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Side-by-side: Phoenix car park plans vs what was built

12 Sep, 2019 8:54am
Quick Read

New aerial photo of Te Papa O Ngā Manu Porotakataka presented.

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

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

'Unacceptable': Legal action threat over 11 Mission St omission

11 Sep, 2019 4:59pm
4 minutes to read

Elms chairman: no grounds for judicial review: 'I'm a former judge, I think I would know'

The 1400sq m section at 11 Mission St neighbouring The Elms. Photo / Supplied

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Decision rollercoaster: 11 Mission St may go to Māori trust after all

10 Sep, 2019 5:32pm
6 minutes to read

Council called in a historian to help with disputed claims about the history of the land.

A development group wants to build a nine-storey international hotel on 21 Durham St. Image / Supplied

PREMIUM

Blocks and icecream: Durham St land decision deferred

7 Sep, 2019 4:21pm
3 minutes to read

"Imagine ordering a hokey pokey and ending up getting a double raspberry."

A photo taken at the Bella Vista Homes development site on March 9, 2018, the day the 21 houses were suddenly evacuated. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Bella Vista saga: Damning internal report released

6 Sep, 2019 8:32pm
5 minutes to read

The employment investigation began in October last year.

An artist's impression of the finished Harington St Transport Hub. Image / Tauranga City Council

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Hamilton St to reopen while work on parking building halted

6 Sep, 2019 2:17pm
Quick Read

The street has been closed for more than a year

A nine-story international hotel is proposed for 21 Durham St. Graphic / Supplied

PREMIUM

Nine-storey international hotel proposed for Durham St

6 Sep, 2019 5:00am
6 minutes to read

Fears bid to buy council land will be blocked by potential new council office building

People who haven't been vaccinated against measles may be asked to stay away from the Aims Games. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

800 unvaccinated kids: Measles fears for AIMS Games

4 Sep, 2019 6:25am
5 minutes to read

Mum of baby too young to be vaccinated says she'll stay home during tournament week.

Māori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta, Ranginui 12 Trust deputy chairman Koraurau Te Kani and Kihi Ngatai at the site on Saturday. Photo / Andrew Warner

THE COUNTRY

Horticulture to housing: Trust's new beginning

2 Sep, 2019 9:23am
4 minutes to read

'This is a new beginning for us as a trust.'

Tauranga mayoral candidate Tenby Powell and his campaign manager Sally Cooke. Photo / File

PREMIUM

Downtown Tauranga controversy: No electoral rules broken but mayor not satisfied

31 Aug, 2019 11:00am
4 minutes to read

Electoral officer rules no breach, but conflict of interest debate rages on.

Shane Hale's team at Sign Creations have been flat out printing election signs. Photo / Andrew Warner

PREMIUM

Hoards of hoardings coming to Tauranga from today

31 Aug, 2019 8:56am
5 minutes to read

The story behind Tauranga's most infamous election signs

The crowd and candidates at the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce Mayoral Candidates Forum. Photo / George Novak

PREMIUM

Opinion: What can leadership do for a city divided?

30 Aug, 2019 9:00am
4 minutes to read

No one has the mayoralty of New Zealand's fifth biggest city in the bag.

The candidates line up in Baycourt's X-Space. Photo / George Novak

PREMIUM

Tauranga mayoral candidates tackle the big issues

29 Aug, 2019 6:08pm
3 minutes to read

Transport and housing, begging, businesses and the CBD - highlights of the debate

John Robson, left, RangiMarie Kingi, Murray Guy, Greg Brownless, Christopher Stokes, Andrew Hollis, Les Wallen, Tenby Powell and Kelvin Clout. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Curly questions close Tauranga mayoral candidate skirmish

28 Aug, 2019 9:19pm
3 minutes to read

Did you watch the debate?

Left to right: John Robson, RangiMarie Kingi, Murray Guy, Greg Brownless, Christopher Stokes, Andrew Hollis, Les Wallen, Tenby Powell and Kelvin Clout. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

WATCH LIVE: Tauranga mayoral candidates face off

28 Aug, 2019 7:21pm
Quick Read

Candidates set to clash in chamber showdown

Aerial photo of Mount Maunganui. Photo / File

THE COUNTRY

Should fixing the Mauao base track be community project?

28 Aug, 2019 2:50pm
6 minutes to read

Why can't we all just get together and build a new track?

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Let us fix it - Mount residents rally for base track fix

27 Aug, 2019 1:54pm
2 minutes to read

'We can do this manually using shovels and spades and maybe a barrow.'

Corrections has proposed building a new facility on Burrrows St. Photo / file

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Corrections proposal: Residents fight back with petition

27 Aug, 2019 10:08am
2 minutes to read

More than 1000 signatures were collected in three days

Chris Ingram of Bike Tauranga is an avid supporter of the proposal. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Memorial Park to Strand walkway could cost $14m

27 Aug, 2019 5:01am
5 minutes to read

A decision is due today about the future of the on-again, off-again project

Controversial bans on begging and rough sleeping may be altered to avoid court challenges. Photo / Getty

PREMIUM

Begging ban may be watered down in bid to avoid court

26 Aug, 2019 6:00am
6 minutes to read

MP says council should stick to their guns.

Tauranga barrister Dean Blair has been sworn in as a judge. Photo / Andrew Warner

PREMIUM

Former black water rafting guide sworn in as judge

23 Aug, 2019 5:00pm
3 minutes to read

Why barrister took a break from the law, and what made him return.

Intensification must come to Tauranga, leaders say. Photo / Tauranga City Council

PREMIUM

'Game-changer': Policy change could bring intensification to Tauranga

23 Aug, 2019 3:13pm
5 minutes to read

'This could be a game-changer for Tauranga'

Stacey Rose is the youngest person ever elected to the Bay of Plenty Regional Council. Photo / Samantha Motion

PREMIUM

'Be confident': Other young councillors' advice to Stacey Rose, 19

23 Aug, 2019 10:00am
4 minutes to read

"Be confident, your age does not determine your abilities."

Stacey Rose has been elected unopposed to represent Tauranga on the Bay of Plenty Regional Council. Photo / Samantha Motion

NEW ZEALAND

'All right, screw it': Teen barber unintentionally gets elected

22 Aug, 2019 5:01am
5 minutes to read

"I didn't have the intention of being elected".

Tauranga mayoralty candidates. (clockwise from top left) Greg Brownless, Christopher Stokes, John Robson, Andrew Hollis, Les Wallen, Murray Guy, Tenby Powell, Jos Nagels, Kelvin Clout, and RangiMarie Kingi.

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

And they're off! Late additions make 10-horse race for Tauranga mayoralty

19 Aug, 2019 6:41am
3 minutes to read

From old hats to fresh faces - see who wants your vote in the upcoming election.

The Hewletts Road Reserve, by the SH2 flyover in Mount Maunganui. Photo / George Novak

PREMIUM

'Shanty town' fears for Mount Maunganui reserve

18 Aug, 2019 3:00pm
4 minutes to read

'This reserve is just going to look like a shanty town.'

Willa Crews surrounded by birthday cards celebrating her 105th birthday. Photo / Andrew Warner

PREMIUM

Willa ready to ring in 105 with a party

17 Aug, 2019 8:29am
4 minutes to read

'Ahh, there's Betty' she said, looking at a birthday card from Queen Elizabeth II.

Tui Rolleston, principal of Te Kura o Matapihi, after the Southern Pipeline leak in Matapihi. Photo / Samantha Motion

THE COUNTRY

Matapihi residents want answers after raw sewage leak

15 Aug, 2019 5:56pm
5 minutes to read

How a "minor" leak might have a major impact.

Tauranga City Council building on Willow St. Photo / File

PREMIUM

Satisfaction drop: Tauranga residents survey results are in

14 Aug, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Ratepayer groups point to one consistent issue with council performance.

Minister Shane Jones said he was almost run off the stretch of State Highway 2 recently. Photo / George Novak

PREMIUM

Mayor encouraged by minister's State Highway 2 comments

13 Aug, 2019 1:39pm
3 minutes to read

'Maybe the last three years...will not have been in vain".

Minister Shane Jones makes the announcement at the Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service tonight. Photo / George Novak

NEW ZEALAND

Govt tops up fund for $5m visitor information centre

12 Aug, 2019 5:00pm
6 minutes to read

Minister says new hub will allow Tauranga to 'present its best face to visitors'.

Eat Streat in Rotorua is an inspiration for Tauranga's Wharf St. Photo / Stephen Parker

PREMIUM

Wharf St vs Eat Streat: Comparing the dining precincts

11 Aug, 2019 8:00am
6 minutes to read

"We've taken a big gamble."

Sentencing of Robert Ashleigh McLarnon, convicted of raping and sexually assaulting girls in the 60s 70s and 80s. Photo / Andrew Warner

NEW ZEALAND

'You stole their childhood': 'Predatory' farmer jailed

9 Aug, 2019 6:18pm
4 minutes to read

One by one, five victims spoke about the impact of his offending.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council candidate Andrew von Dadelszen and Tauranga mayoral candidate Tenby Powell have breached election signage rules. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Candidates ordered to remove giant election billboards

9 Aug, 2019 4:17pm
2 minutes to read

One of the signs has been up for weeks.

Leanne Brown will not stand for re-election to Tauranga City Council this year. Photo / George Novak

NEW ZEALAND

'Viciousness and personal attacks': City councillor quits after social media hate

8 Aug, 2019 11:45am
4 minutes to read

'The viciousness and personal attacks don't just affect me'.

Change is coming to 15th Ave. Photo / File

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Green light for 15th Ave works to start

7 Aug, 2019 1:41pm
2 minutes to read

Motorists can expect a small evening time-saving - unless they are rat runners

Wharf St property owner Greg Robison is ready for the transformation to begin. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Streetscaping: Wharf St progress but Elizabeth St proposal looks iffy

7 Aug, 2019 9:00am
4 minutes to read

Elizabeth St park plan fails to excite some councillors but others say it's vital for CBD.

An artist's impression of what the proposed University of Waikato facility might look like. Image / Supplied

PREMIUM

Reserve revocation decision to go to minister

7 Aug, 2019 8:31am
4 minutes to read

Step in the right direction or alarming precedent?

Barry Benton with the seawall he had built in front of his property. Photo / George Novak

NEW ZEALAND

Erosion maps 'frightened the hell out of a lot of people'

7 Aug, 2019 5:44am
6 minutes to read

Harbourside homeowners say councils should do more to help people defend their properties

Pāpāmoa residents Chris Phayer, Ron Melville and Rod Simpson are among those not happy with the resealing of Oriental Parade. Photo / George Novak

PREMIUM

Pāpāmoa streets wage war on chip seal

6 Aug, 2019 6:00pm
4 minutes to read

Chip seal roads - 'I wouldn't wish it on anybody'.

A concept design showing half of Elizabeth St turned into a 'linear park' for pedestrians and cyclists. Image / Tauranga City Council

PREMIUM

Half park, half road: $20m Elizabeth St transformation plan revealed

5 Aug, 2019 11:01am
4 minutes to read

Two other CBD streets are also in line for major makeovers estimated to cost almost $10m

There's still time for nominations. Photo / File

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Election 2019: More candidate nominations rolling in

2 Aug, 2019 1:24pm
Quick Read

More candidates put their hands up for local government.

Tauranga City Councillor Steve Morris. Photo / File

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

'Shameless' - Councillor rebukes ratepayer for Christchurch comments

1 Aug, 2019 6:00pm
3 minutes to read

'Have you no shame Sir'

Tauranga City Council has approved the draft Naming Policy 2019 for consultation. Photo / File

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Consultation debate over gifted Māori reserve names

1 Aug, 2019 3:30pm
3 minutes to read

Under a new policy, street names would have a character limit but not reserve names.

The Te Maunga Wastewater Treatment Plant, where the ocean outfall pipe starts. Photo / Tauranga City Council

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

'Critical' pipe damaged, repair cost estimated at $83m

31 Jul, 2019 6:33pm
3 minutes to read

Tangata whenua raise red flags over project.

Steve Wiggill, who was project director for the Southern Pipeline from 2016 onwards. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Pipe dreams: How city's $107m 'poo pipe' became a reality

26 Jul, 2019 8:30pm
6 minutes to read

The Southern Pipeline: Tauranga City Council's biggest completed infrastructure project

A driver was injured after crashing down the bank on Pyes Pa Rd. File photo

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Guard rails to be installed at crash hotspot

26 Jul, 2019 3:00pm
Quick Read

At least two cars have gone over the bank in the past year or so

Hazardous materials experts removed the powder from the building. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Suspicious powder sent to council was 'food grade'

26 Jul, 2019 9:08am
2 minutes to read

The council's mailroom was put into lockdown after the powder was discovered

Tauranga Mayor Greg Brownless. File photo

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Should Totara St be a state highway? Tauranga's biggest ratepayer thinks so

26 Jul, 2019 7:00am
4 minutes to read

'I can't see how the New Zealand Transport Agency can not designate it a State Highway'.

Southern Pipeline project director Steve Wiggill. File photo

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

The 10km pipeline that cost $107m and took 15 years to finish

26 Jul, 2019 6:07am
2 minutes to read

The project was beset by challenges, the biggest of which was a 51,000yo piece of timber

A section of Arataki Park next to the St John Ambulance building will be considered for a bus interchange. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Reserve may be option for bus interchange

24 Jul, 2019 6:30pm
4 minutes to read

Farm St residents are pushing the council to look at other options.

Stephen Bird is among Farm St residents to sign a petition against a proposed bus interchange in the street. Photo / George Novak

PREMIUM

Residents fight proposed bus interchange in their street

23 Jul, 2019 3:58pm
4 minutes to read

'People should be able to have a say about what happens in their neighbourhood'

The Fire Hazchem team isolated the envelope and its contents then decontaminated the scene. Photo / Andrew Warner

NEW ZEALAND

'Abhorrent and sickening': Council recipient of 'suspicious package'

22 Jul, 2019 3:43pm
2 minutes to read

The incident shut down parts of the Tauranga CBD on Friday.

Neighbours have complained about Kāinga Atawhai, a controversial transitional housing village, in Opal Dr. Photo/George Novak

NEW ZEALAND

Housing village complaints: 'No one would want to live next door to it'

22 Jul, 2019 2:51pm
6 minutes to read

Incidents prompt management review at controversial transitional housing village.

15th Avenue is one of Tauranga's most congested routes. Photo / George Novak

PREMIUM

'Fumbling disaster': Council's 15th Ave U-turn

22 Jul, 2019 7:31am
3 minutes to read

Behind the scenes of a bureaucratic bumble.