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The new-look Beach Rd Reserve playground in Whangamata, pictured on its opening day in 2016, has island-style shade. Photo / Lesley Staniland

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Opinion: Playgrounds present shady issue

16 Jan, 2019 12:26pm
3 minutes to read

Why do so few Kiwi playgrounds have shade?

Cruise ship passengers watched the incident unfold. Photo / Aaron Randell

NEW ZEALAND

Cruise passenger describes near miss with inflatable boat

16 Jan, 2019 6:23am
3 minutes to read

The Port of Tauranga has reiterated warnings to boaties after the incredibly close call.

American rapper Cardi B on stage at Bay Dreams. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Celebs deliver social media publicity bonanza for Tauranga

13 Jan, 2019 9:00am
5 minutes to read

Meet the fan who took a viral video of Cardi B talking about her wedgie at Bay Dreams.

The cruise ship bears down on the incapacitated inflatable, narrowly missing it to pass alongside. Photo / Aaron Randell

NEW ZEALAND

Inflatable boat nearly mowed down by cruise ship 'ran out of fuel'

11 Jan, 2019 6:18am
4 minutes to read

Rescuer saw 'look of fear' on faces of young people nearly run over by cruise ship.

The visitor influx is just a reminder of how good we have it in the Bay. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Opinion: Summer in New Zealand is not overrated

10 Jan, 2019 3:00pm
2 minutes to read

There's always lots to whinge about but why would we?

Roger Simister wants to warn others about the rule that cost him his TECT cheque. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Pāpāmoa man misses out on TECT cheque

7 Jan, 2019 7:00am
3 minutes to read

Pāpāmoa man warns of rule that cost his annual dividend.

Kent Jarman of the Mount Maunganui Surf Lifesaving Service demonstrates the new rescue water craft. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Mount lifeguards get speedy new rescue vessels

5 Jan, 2019 1:05pm
3 minutes to read

The new vessels have already been put to use in a rescue and a missing person search.

Surf Lifesaving New Zealand eastern region lifesaving manager Chase Cahalane. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Spike in surf rescues amid 'perfect storm' conditions

5 Jan, 2019 12:00pm
2 minutes to read

Teens involved in mass rescue had ignored their safety advice, lifeguard says.

A meningococcal vaccination campaign has been rolled out in Northland. Photo / John Stone

NEW ZEALAND

Three hospitalised with meningococcal infections

4 Jan, 2019 5:24pm
2 minutes to read

A public health official says people need to be on alert for symptoms of the disease.

The house was razed to the ground by fire. Photo supplied / Jon Rewi

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Waihi Beach house fire treated as suspicious

4 Jan, 2019 3:45pm
Quick Read

The house was razed to the ground.

Rewa Martins' car was written off in a crash at Barkes Corner, and she believes the new lights were in part to blame. Photo/George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

YEAR IN REVIEW: 'Total balls-up'- crash victim

3 Jan, 2019 7:00am
3 minutes to read

Year in review: Barkes Corner lights a 'balls-up'

Uncollected glass recycling bin due to overfill on Oceanbeach Rd, Mount Maunganui. Photo/George Novak

NEW ZEALAND

YEAR IN REVIEW: 'Overfilled' glass crates left unemptied

2 Jan, 2019 9:00am
3 minutes to read

Year in review: Many people will be coming home to unemptied yellow-stickered glass crates

People gather on Tauranga's waterfront to enjoy the music and await the fireworks. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

News Year's Eve brings families out to celebrate

1 Jan, 2019 7:35am
3 minutes to read

Kids, adults, dogs: good clean fun for all at family-friendly New Year's Eve events

A pair of orca spotted in Pilot Bay. Photo / Ali Holmes Sciascia

NEW ZEALAND

Orca pair hunt in shallow water at Mount Maunganui

31 Dec, 2018 7:26pm
Quick Read

Stingray hunt draws orca to busy Mount Maunganui beach.

Tauranga City councillor Steve Morris moved to close the liquor ban loophole after finding himself in the middle of a violent brawl. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Delay to close beach liquor ban 'loophole'

31 Dec, 2018 7:00am
2 minutes to read

Time to make signs given as reason for delay to close loophole that allows 24/7 drinking

George Bryant in his Welcome Bay home with some of the 40+ books and booklets he has authored. Photo / Samantha Motion

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

QSM for prolific author and Christian publishing pioneer

31 Dec, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Welcome Bay man honoured for his services to publishing and the community.

Tauranga City Council chief executive Marty Grenfell. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

$70k 'lifeline' offered for museum debate

28 Dec, 2018 6:23am
2 minutes to read

In May the council canned a plan to build a $55 million museum on Cliff Rd.

Pāpāmoa's Ken and Val Tyler make around $200 a day when their four-berth motorhome is rented out. Photo/John Borren

THE COUNTRY

Year in Review: Retired dairy farmers make money from idle motorhome

27 Dec, 2018 7:00am
3 minutes to read

Looking back at one of the most popular stories on The Country in the past 12 months.

Tauranga mayor Greg Brownless. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Council paid $14m for Bella Vista homes

21 Dec, 2018 2:47pm
4 minutes to read

The council has previously refused to release the total amount spent on the buyout.

he Omanawa Falls are beautiful but dangerous. Photo / John Borren

NEW ZEALAND

Deadly beauty spot may become commercial tourist attraction

21 Dec, 2018 5:01am
4 minutes to read

Iwi group interested in working with council on tourism venture for paying customers.

The new urban space under development at the site of the old Phoenix carpark on Maunganui Rd. Photo / John Borren

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Opinion: Practical purpose of name forgotten in Phoenix carpark decision

21 Dec, 2018 4:32am
2 minutes to read

The name of Tauranga's newest 'urban space' is Te Papa O Ngā Manu Porotakataka.

Hori BOP has long campaigned for a new stadium in the city. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

'At last': Money secured to look into Tauranga stadium

20 Dec, 2018 9:00am
4 minutes to read

This comes after more than a decade of stadium pitches and plans.

Mount Maunganui resident Trevor Clist is not a fan of the new name or the concrete look of the urban space created in place of the old Phoenix carpark. Photo / George Novak

NEW ZEALAND

Council picks controversial new name for park

19 Dec, 2018 8:40am
3 minutes to read

Two-thirds of people rejected the name in a public consultation.

The Our Place container village on Willow St in the Tauranga CBD. Photo / File

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Another $60,000 of ratepayer funding for Our Place

19 Dec, 2018 6:10am
3 minutes to read

The downtown retail and eatery precinct has already received $357,824.78.

Carlo Ellis, strategic Maori engagement manager for Tauranga City Council, at the development site of the urban open space replacing Phoenix carpark. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

'Too long' - public survey rejects new name for Phoenix carpark

18 Dec, 2018 7:47am
2 minutes to read

The council will receive a report on the public feedback today

Councillor Steve Morris found himself in the middle of an alcohol-fueled brawl in the sand dunes. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Move to close Mount liquor ban 'loophole' for summer

15 Dec, 2018 8:13am
3 minutes to read

Councillor checking out bonfire complaint finds himself in the middle of a violent brawl.

Passengers wait for buses on Farm St on Monday, the first day of the Bay's redesigned bus network. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Free school buses mooted to cut congestion

12 Dec, 2018 4:00pm
2 minutes to read

Would free school buses cut Tauranga's congestion?

Ron Pinkham is fighting the councils plan to revoke the reserve status of Marine Park at Sulphur Point. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Resident fights council's plans for Marine Park

12 Dec, 2018 12:00pm
4 minutes to read

Supporters say research centre in reserve would benefit Tauranga

Cameron Rd retailers Gaylene Dovaston and Howard Jones are among those unhappy with the council's idea to use on-street parks for peak hour bus clearways. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Cameron Rd businesses slam bus clearway proposal

12 Dec, 2018 6:28am
4 minutes to read

Transport planners say clearways are needed to make buses more attractive.

An early concept design showing how the clearways could look on an already four-laned section of Cameron Rd. Graphic / Tauranga City Council

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Cameron Rd parking could become bus clearways

11 Dec, 2018 7:40am
3 minutes to read

Buses would be given priority over parks in rush hours

Rachel Pinn from the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Martin Parks from the Tauranga City Council with some of the new NZ Bus fleet. Photo / Samantha Motion

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

New Tauranga bus network begins

10 Dec, 2018 7:00am
3 minutes to read

The changes have some users worried, and other optimistic.

Tauranga man Michael Rayner pictured with the strawberry he bought from a local supermarket which had a pin in it. Photo / Alan Gibson

NEW ZEALAND

Pin in strawberry an 'isolated incident'

8 Dec, 2018 4:12pm
3 minutes to read

The incident is being treated as "criminal activity".

Tauranga's Hairini Bridge could support a third lane without being widened, engineers say. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Three lanes feasible for congested Harini Bridge

7 Dec, 2018 10:16am
3 minutes to read

'If we can make anything work on that bridge as it is ... let's do it.'

Parking will soon be free on weekends in the Tauranga CBD. Photo / file

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Tauranga CBD parking to be free on weekends

6 Dec, 2018 3:46pm
2 minutes to read

'Let's give it a go and see what happens'

Millie Newitt, parade manager of the Trustpower Christmas Parade, is hoping the rain will stay away tomorrow morning. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Wet weather threatens Christmas parades

30 Nov, 2018 7:04pm
3 minutes to read

The wet weather has already put paid to some weekend events in the Bay of Plenty.

Strikes at Tauranga and Whakatāne Hospital have been cancelled. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Midwives' union cancels strikes after ERA ruling

30 Nov, 2018 3:07pm
3 minutes to read

Midwives' strikes have been cancelled in Tauranga and Whakatāne until Tuesday.

NEW ZEALAND

DHB takes midwife union dispute to ERA

29 Nov, 2018 5:00pm
3 minutes to read

The two parties are embroiled in a long-running pay dispute

Mount Maunganui (top right) has been leading the pack with property values. Photo / File

BUSINESS

Rateable valuations increase by almost 50% in three years

29 Nov, 2018 10:50am
4 minutes to read

Steepest increases among some of the traditionally cheaper suburbs.

Debbie McCauley with her book, on the right, and with the Suffrage 125 Tauranga book, on the left. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Bay books commemorate women's suffrage

28 Nov, 2018 11:00am
2 minutes to read

Today, 125 years ago, women first exercised their hard-won right to vote.

Mike Maynard painting in his home in Welcome Bay eight months after his stroke. Photo / George Novak

LIFESTYLE

Stroke can be 'the start of something new'

27 Nov, 2018 10:01am
3 minutes to read

He says the secret to stroke recovery is discovering what you can do.

Carlo Ellis, strategic Māori engagement manager for Tauranga City Council, at the development site of the urban open space replacing Phoenix carpark. Photo / Andrew Warner

NEW ZEALAND

'Try saying it after you've had a few drinks'

24 Nov, 2018 8:17am
3 minutes to read

Te Papa o Ngā Manu Porotakataka will be 'a challenge for some and a joy for others'.

The Northland Rescue Helicopter on State Highway 1 after Sunday's crash south of Kawakawa which claimed the life of Phil Pratt and left three others critically injured. Photo / NEST

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Mount country music man remembered

23 Nov, 2018 8:00am
2 minutes to read

Crash victim remembered for country music dedication

A cruise ship carrying 3129 passengers is in port in Tauranga overnight tonight. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Celebrity Solstice cruise ship in port

22 Nov, 2018 5:42pm
Quick Read

A picnic and silent disco are being held in Coronation Park tonight

Tauranga City Council meets to vote on begging, rough sleeping bans on Tuesday. Photo / George Novak

NEW ZEALAND

'Ludicrous' - other councils on begging bylaw

22 Nov, 2018 10:27am
5 minutes to read

'If they can make it stick we may follow suit'

Tauranga City Council met on Tuesday to vote in bans on begging and rough sleeping. Photo / File

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Opinion: Homeless ban a no-win solution

22 Nov, 2018 8:30am
3 minutes to read

Begging and rough sleeping bans in Tauranga: Where does it end?

Begging will be banned near shops and eateries in the Tauranga City, Greerton and Mount Maunganui CBDs. Photo / File

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Councillor stakes his job on begging, rough sleeping bylaw

21 Nov, 2018 10:12am
4 minutes to read

'No one is going to be dragged kicking and screaming off the streets'.

A March protest against the council's proposal to ban begging and rough sleeping. Photo / John Borren

NEW ZEALAND

Tauranga council votes to ban begging, rough sleeping

20 Nov, 2018 2:27pm
4 minutes to read

Begging and rough sleeping prohibited within 5m of retail or hospitality premises.

He Kaupapa Kotahitanga Trust Tauranga chairwoman Angela Wallace, with fellow trustees Tania Lewis-Rickard (left) and Colleen Spiro. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Building found for Tauranga women's shelter

20 Nov, 2018 9:00am
3 minutes to read

A big step has been taken in the long-running effort to establish a women's shelter.

Protesters at the Tauranga Races: from left, Alexander Wilkinson, Nina Lopez, Coby Campbell, James St John, Catherine Storey, Donovan Allen, and Sam Bhaduri. Photo /Andrew Warner

THE COUNTRY

Vegan activists protest horse racing in Tauranga

17 Nov, 2018 3:13pm
2 minutes to read

This year's Christmas at the Races was attended by 3500 people

Tania Lewis-Rickard, Tracey Carlton, Angela Wallace and Colleen Spiro from He Kaupapa Kotahitanga Trust Tauranga are behind the women's shelter and, pictured, a homeless drop-in centre. File photo

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Trust announces it will open women's shelter in Tauranga next year

17 Nov, 2018 11:20am
2 minutes to read

The shelter for single homeless women would be called Awhina House

Tommy Wilson from Te Tuinga Whanau Social Services Trust supports the bans on begging and rough sleeping. Photo / Andrew Warner

NEW ZEALAND

Debate rages over begging, rough sleeping bans

17 Nov, 2018 8:59am
4 minutes to read

Retailers across the city are welcoming the bans, as does one social agency leader.

Archaeologists work on the Durham Lane site. Photo / supplied / Chris Taylor

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Durham Lane dig turns up Worcestershire sauce bottles

16 Nov, 2018 3:48pm
2 minutes to read

The bottles were among other evidence of occupation in latter half of the 19th century.

Author and illustrator Dame Lynley Dodd at home in Tauranga with her book <i>Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy</i>, named New Zealand's bestseller of the decade. Photo / George Novak

ENTERTAINMENT

Author 'astonished' at Hairy Maclary's legacy

16 Nov, 2018 6:01am
3 minutes to read

Dame Lynley Dodd on her Hairy Maclary book being named NZ's bestseller of the decade

Councillors have voted to ban begging as well as rough sleeping near shops and eateries in CBD areas. Photo / John Borren

NEW ZEALAND

Majority votes for CBD ban on begging, rough sleeping

14 Nov, 2018 3:00pm
3 minutes to read

The bans would apply within 5m of shops in the Tauranga, Mount and Greerton CBDs

Dozens of teachers protested in Bethlehem. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Striking teachers vow to fight on

14 Nov, 2018 9:32am
7 minutes to read

Hundreds of teachers picketed in and around Tauranga on Tuesday

Luke Schroder is the festival director of Melted, an event dedicated to ice cream and frozen desserts. Photo / George Novak

LIFESTYLE

Big scoop: ice cream festival launched

13 Nov, 2018 9:03am
2 minutes to read

One man is making his 'crazy idea' for a festival of ice cream a reality this summer

Chris Doms is fighting to have obstructions like this removed from the Forrester Drive Esplanade Reserve. Photo / John Borren

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Resident fights for public access to reserve

10 Nov, 2018 1:00pm
4 minutes to read

Residents say they have cared for the reserve at their own cost for decades.

Nicola Milham with Senior Sergeant Carl Purcell (left) and Constable Jason Norton after delivering her cake to the Greerton station. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Retiree says thanks to cops with cake after hack

9 Nov, 2018 2:32pm
2 minutes to read

'I got caught up in that Microsoft scam'

Indian students Palvinder Bhinder, Navneet Cheema, Harneet Sokhal dressed in saris for the Diwali celebrations at Toi Ohomai. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Diwali celebrated with fireworks and sweet treats

8 Nov, 2018 4:39pm
3 minutes to read

'It is a time of happiness, family, sharing and caring'

Nursing students Rayne Saxton, Gemma Bryenton, OliviaVan Breda, Kendall Teal got dolled up to watch the Melbourne Cup at Our Place in the Tauranga CBD. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Tauranga drinks in the Melbourne Cup

6 Nov, 2018 4:51pm
2 minutes to read

Spotted: fancy fascinators, big bets, champagne at midday and ... Braveheart?

Searchers patrol Lake McLaren in 2015. File photo / John Borren

NEW ZEALAND

Body found after search and rescue operation in Kaimai Range

6 Nov, 2018 7:40am
Quick Read

The police were searching for a 32-year-old man.

Bomb squad members were called to the Hastings police station in 2014 when a man brought in an unexploded hand grenade he found in his garden. File photo

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Bomb experts called to Te Puke after 'shell' discovery

5 Nov, 2018 7:12pm
Quick Read

The NZ Defence Force is sending bomb experts to check out the unusual find