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The report by retired judge Graeme Colgan is the last official report expected to come out about Bella Vista Homes and the Tauranga City Council. Image / Phil Welch

NEW ZEALAND

Five revelations from the damning Bella Vista report

13 Sep, 2019 4:30pm
7 minutes to read

COMMENT & ANALYSIS: Review by retired judge contains interesting findings.

Property developer Stephen Short said Coast Homes Limited built about 50 houses over nine years at the Coast Papamoa Beach development. Photo / File

BUSINESS

Tauranga building company goes into liquidation, owes money

13 Sep, 2019 2:10pm
3 minutes to read

The Inland Revenue Department was the applicant creditor.

Dennise and Donald Cook were at the Hope Walk for son Nicolas, who died in July. Photo / Andrew Warner

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Rotorua Hope Walk: Breaking stigmas and remembering loved ones

9 Sep, 2019 11:00am
3 minutes to read

The event was held to bring about awareness around the issues of suicide and depression.

More than 200 people took part in Tauranga's third-annual Hope Walk on Saturday, with the group setting off from Memorial Park. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Hundreds turn out for third-annual Hope Walk in Tauranga

8 Sep, 2019 12:06pm
4 minutes to read

The event was about bringing greater awareness around the issue of suicide.

The number of hardship grants made in Tauranga last year by the Ministry of Social Development was up 61 per cent on the year before. Photo / File

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

$3.3m of extra hardship grants in Tauranga last year

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

The total number of grants approved – 21,690 – went up by almost 5000 year on year.

Dr Phil Shoemack is this week leading the response to a measles outbreak in the Bay of Plenty. Photo / Stephen Parker

NEW ZEALAND

Operation Measles: Inside the public health response to an escalating outbreak

7 Sep, 2019 6:00am
19 minutes to read

Spending time with the experts as they trace infections and attempt to prevent the spread.

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.

Learna Tawhai and Dylan Hoete were homeless and addicted to drugs. Now they've turned it all around, with some help along the way. Photo / Andrew Warner

NEW ZEALAND

A homeless couple's journey through drug addiction to getting their kids back

24 Aug, 2019 5:15pm
11 minutes to read

Their meth and synthetic drug habit left them with nothing ... no kids and no home.

Pāpāmoa Beach has the highest median weekly market rent in Tauranga, according to the latest MBIE figures. Nikki Signal has been renting there for four years, but now faces a move. Photo / George Novak

PREMIUM

Renting in Tauranga? Here are the cheapest areas

24 Aug, 2019 8:00am
7 minutes to read

Find out what the median weekly market rent is for properties in your area.

Dr Allan White died last week in Tauranga at the age of 99. Photo / File

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

'True pioneer and one of the last good guys'

22 Aug, 2019 7:17am
5 minutes to read

During World War II and in Vietnam, from Taihape to Tauranga, he served others.

Nigel Busbridge, co-owner of V8 Trike Tours in Mount Maunganui, said his business depends on the visiting cruise ships and he believes the growth in visitor numbers is important for the local economy. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Cruise surge: Visitors to Tauranga sail past Wellington and Fiordland

20 Aug, 2019 4:50pm
5 minutes to read

And with that came more than $23 million of extra spending.

Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner has his own concerns about the 54-year-old Tauranga courthouse. Photo / File

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Top cop voices own concerns about Tauranga courthouse

10 Aug, 2019 3:00pm
9 minutes to read

He says police have the same concerns that lawyers do.

The Bay of Plenty DHB's chief executive Helen Mason (centre) has attributed the $11 million deficit to, among other things, an ongoing increase in demand. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Why the Bay of Plenty DHB has an $11 million deficit

6 Aug, 2019 6:12am
5 minutes to read

The DHB provided patient and spending numbers to show just how much pressure it is under.

The Lakes District Health Board covers the Rotorua, Taupo, Mangakino and Turangi districts and operates two general hospitals, in Rotorua and Taupo. Photo / File

ROTORUA DAILY POST

DHB's forecast deficit doubles to $10m

6 Aug, 2019 5:52am
4 minutes to read

In its 2018/19 Annual Plan, the Lakes DHB forecast a deficit of $5.1m.

Three of the oil spills last year were sourced to commercial transfers of hydrocarbons (fuel, oil, etc.) in the Tauranga Harbour. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

18 oil spills reported in Tauranga last year, only five of them traced

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

There was also a reported spill in the Whakatāne River.

The Bay of Plenty District Health Board covers from Waihi Beach to Whangaparaoa Bay, as far inland as Murupara, and includes Tauranga and Whakatāne hospitals. Photo / File

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Bay of Plenty DHB deficit grows by $6m in a month – now $11m in the red

2 Aug, 2019 6:05pm
5 minutes to read

The latest financial results were released today by the Ministry of Health.

Top lawyers in Tauranga have shared their concerns about the city's courthouse. Photos / File

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

'Appalling facilities' at Tauranga courthouse: Lawyers speak out

31 Jul, 2019 5:03am
8 minutes to read

New concerns are being raised about the Tauranga courthouse.

Danny Cancian pictured at a public meeting to introduce Tauranga's future mayoral candidates this month. Photo / George Novak

BUSINESS

New Bella Vista twist: What it might now mean for boss Danny Cancian

21 Jun, 2019 8:40pm
8 minutes to read

Danny Cancian will be referred to the New Zealand Registrar of Companies, liquidators say.

Peter Oakes in the pool at Mount Maunganui's BayWave. Photo / Andrew Warner

NEW ZEALAND

Taking the plunge: Why this Kiwi bloke is finally learning to swim

19 Jun, 2019 10:45am
15 minutes to read

Following one man's late-in-life journey to learn to swim, one stroke at a time.

NEW ZEALAND

'Look how skinny he is!' – Meet the stars of a national cat show

15 Jun, 2019 4:32pm
4 minutes to read

The breeds, the names, the pre-show rituals.

Tauranga Community Foodbank manager Nicki Goodwin says the foodbank is seeing more and more single people needing help. Photo / George Novak

PREMIUM

As rents rise, more Tauranga singles are seeking help

12 Jun, 2019 3:56pm
5 minutes to read

The foodbank issued 379 parcels in May and 38 per cent of those were for single people.

Hazel Hape, manager of Tauranga Women's Refuge, says she is hopeful that the Budget funding makes it to frontline communities. Photo / File

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Social leaders hail 'child wellbeing' funding

30 May, 2019 7:00pm
4 minutes to read

In the Wellbeing Budget improving child wellbeing was a major focus.

The Bay of Plenty Times has reviewed three separate reports, looked over historical emails and interviews, and obtained details about a meeting held at Tauranga City Council offices. Image / Phil Welch

BUSINESS

Fateful decision: The defining moment in the Bella Vista disaster

26 May, 2019 3:05pm
16 minutes to read

The Times has reviewed 3 separate reports and historical emails and obtained new details.

Reporter Scott Yeoman and his dreaded smartphone. Photo / Alan Gibson

NEW ZEALAND

Digital Detox: Unscrambling my muddled mind

11 May, 2019 10:04am
14 minutes to read

How switching off for a month changed my life.

A special interactive map can be used below to plan your daily commute in Tauranga. Image / Screenshot

PREMIUM

Data project: Use this interactive map to plan your daily commute

4 May, 2019 1:20pm
5 minutes to read

Interactive map showing the best times to travel to and from the CBD during peak traffic.

Bay of Plenty Times reporters, from left, Kiri Gillespie, Samantha Motion and Scott Yeoman at the start line of The Great Race. Photo / George Novak

PREMIUM

Car, bus, bike – which commute is quicker?

4 May, 2019 8:28am
10 minutes to read

We race from Welcome Bay into the Tauranga CBD – by car, bus and bike.

Daara Parkinson is a regular public transport user in Tauranga and has persevered with the new bus network. Photo / George Novak

PREMIUM

Gridlock: Buses and bikes – the battle to get people out of their cars heats up

3 May, 2019 6:11am
15 minutes to read

What role can these forms of transport play in car-reliant Tauranga?

(Top, left to right) Nicky Warren, Linda Roach, and Chris Ward-Allen; (bottom, left to right) Terry Prince and Alex Brown. Photos / George Novak

PREMIUM

Gridlock: What chokepoint do you hate the most?

2 May, 2019 6:16am
2 minutes to read

Totara St, Hewletts Rd, 15th Ave, Turret Rd or Cameron Rd?

Tauranga traffic crawling towards the city, down from the Maungatapu roundabout and Welcome Bay Rd, towards the Hairini Bridge. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Gridlock: Tauranga's traffic problem escalates, dramatic new figures show

30 Apr, 2019 11:00am
7 minutes to read

Tauranga has grown hugely over the past 20 years – but it has come at a huge cost.

Emma Bryan has to drop her 10-year-old son at the school bus bay each morning, half an hour before the school opens, so she can battle traffic and make it to polytech on time. Photo / George Novak

PREMIUM

Gridlock: Tauranga's congested roads affecting families

30 Apr, 2019 11:00am
12 minutes to read

Traffic congestion is having a significant impact on people's lives.

Maungatapu couple Tim and Rowena Sinclair set off today as Team Mini 6 in this year's Pork Pie Charity Run, raising money for KidsCan through an epic journey from Kaitaia to Invercargill. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Tauranga Mini lovers embark on iconic Pork Pie Charity Run

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

Tim and Rowena Sinclair are leaving Tauranga today to make their way to the start line.

Mark Steven getting a tattoo of Prince on his arm, by artist Dave Freeman of InkRush Tattoos. Photo / Andrew Warner

NEW ZEALAND

Tattoo & Art Extravaganza: Music legends, and a lost bet

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

The NZ Tattoo & Art Extravaganza was expected to attract 5000 to 6000 people.

Apumoana Marae Charitable Trust's Bob Te Aonui and Heidi Symon with Mayor Steve Chadwick. Photo / Supplied

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Apumoana Marae trust impresses at community awards

1 Apr, 2019 2:19pm
4 minutes to read

The trust was one of 26 voluntary organisations vying for community awards

Tauranga City Mayor Greg Brownless (left) with Under The Stars founder Liz Kite and volunteer Tamaryn Roux. Photo / Supplied

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Under The Stars wins national community award

31 Mar, 2019 12:56pm
3 minutes to read

Twenty-six voluntary organisations from around the country were in Tauranga this weekend.

Graeme Bourk pictured in the remains of his Edgecumbe house. Photo / Alan Gibson

NEW ZEALAND

Edgecumbe flood two years on: Loneliness, trauma and hope

30 Mar, 2019 12:00pm
14 minutes to read

The town's 1600 residents have coped in different ways since the major flood.

The Bella Vista Homes development site at The Lakes in Tauranga. Photo / File

BUSINESS

MBIE report: Bella Vista development a 'significant failure' by council

26 Mar, 2019 1:00pm
6 minutes to read

The investigation did not discover evidence of a systemic issue within the city council.

Tania Lewis-Rickard, Liz Kite, Tania Bradford, Andrea Coe, Laura Wood, Jarrod Tumai, Janie Kiriona, Tia Strauss and Colleen Spiro celebrate the upcoming opening of Awhina House. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Tauranga homeless women's shelter opening in two weeks

24 Mar, 2019 2:15pm
3 minutes to read

Named Awhina House, the shelter is located in a building in the Avenues.

Puran Singh, president of the Sikh community in Tauranga, has been coming to the Tauranga Multicultural Festival for about 12 years. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Hundreds turn out for Multicultural Festival in Tauranga

23 Mar, 2019 7:37pm
2 minutes to read

An array of colourful music and dance, and food from countries around the world.

Syed Islam, 52, has been in New Zealand for 23 years and has never seen support like this. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Syed Islam: 'New Zealand is our home'

23 Mar, 2019 9:02am
9 minutes to read

The 52-year-old has been in New Zealand for 23 years and has never seen support like this.

Bay Oval general manager Kelvin Jones looking out over the ground after its biggest season yet. But a test match is yet to be played there. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Field of Dreams: From wasteland to the world stage

17 Mar, 2019 12:00pm
17 minutes to read

Scott Yeoman explores the growth of Bay Oval, and where this success story could go next.

The Bay of Plenty Times is guided on a tour of the Bella Vista homes, which have been cordoned off for more than a year. Photo / George Novak

NEW ZEALAND

Behind the cordon at the Bella Vista homes evacuation site

11 Mar, 2019 7:15pm
4 minutes to read

The tops of all 16 Bella Vista houses on Lakes Boulevard have been earmarked for removal.

Denese and Lee Konowe outside their new house in Brookfield, bought after the Tauranga City Council settled with all 21 Bella Vista homeowners in November. Photo / George Novak

NEW ZEALAND

Bella Vista Homes one year on: Everything has changed, and nothing has changed

9 Mar, 2019 9:00am
10 minutes to read

Scott Yeoman checks in with homeowners and local businesses affected.

A man was arrested after allegedly threatening the owner of a liquor store on 11th Ave and demanding alcohol. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Man accused of robbing liquor store in Tauranga

2 Mar, 2019 2:16pm
Quick Read

Man charged with aggravated robbery after alleged an incident at a Tauranga liquor store

Health Minister David Clark has encouraged the Bay of Plenty District Health Board to explore ways to reduce projected budget shortfalls. Photo / File

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Bay of Plenty DHB submits $10.47 million deficit

2 Mar, 2019 10:00am
5 minutes to read

Almost all of New Zealand's 20 DHBs are expected to end this financial year in the red.

The aggressive aquatic weed, salvinia, was first detected in the Wairākei Stream in Pāpāmoa in early 2018. Photo / Andrew Warner

THE COUNTRY

Invasive salvinia on way to eradication

27 Feb, 2019 7:27am
3 minutes to read

Salvinia is one of the world's worst aquatic weeds - it can completely blanket waterways.

About 120 players took part in the event at the tidal steps. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Waterfront water polo makes a splash in Tauranga

25 Feb, 2019 9:00am
3 minutes to read

Tiny togs and tricky tides at inaugural Water Polo on the Waterfront event.

Gayle Harvey and horse Sol who was attacked by a dog at Tuapiro Point north of Katikati last week.

THE COUNTRY

Tuapiro attacking dog still loose

21 Feb, 2019 6:00am
4 minutes to read

A dog that attacked a horse in Tuapiro is still on the loose in the region.

Papamoa Family Services financial mentor Josie Takiari says the service is dealing with a lot more working couples and families, who cannot afford food or school costs. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Debt, shame and stress: Spike in people seeking budget advice

18 Feb, 2019 7:00am
4 minutes to read

Services dealing with debt from mortgage and rent arrears, food bills, loans and more.

Gayle Harvey with her horse, Sol, which is recovering from an attack by a dog at Tuapiro Point near Katikati. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Dog which attacked horse still at large

16 Feb, 2019 9:00am
4 minutes to read

The dog made a beeline for the led horse at Tuapiro Beach, attacking repeatedly.

Asheley Elizabeth (left) and Annette Griffiths in front of their sand sculpture masterpiece on Mount Main Beach. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Sand sculpture tips from the pros at Mount Main Beach

10 Feb, 2019 11:20am
3 minutes to read

Work on the sand sculpture masterpiece started about 6.45am on Friday, and took hours.

Lorna Edlin, Western Bay of Plenty area manager at the Society of St Vincent de Paul, stands among the thousands of boxes full of clothes ready to be snapped up at a community free sale next month. Photo / Andrew Warner

LIFESTYLE

Is this the anti Marie Kondo? Charity shop giving away clutter

9 Feb, 2019 6:17am
3 minutes to read

The Society of St Vincent de Paul in Tauranga is having its first "community free sale".

Some families can't afford school lunches for their children. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Back to school costs: Families turn to foodbanks for kids' lunches

4 Feb, 2019 10:00am
4 minutes to read

One in five children in low-decile schools heading back to school hungry.

Grace Hospital general manager Janet Keys and facility manager Pat Wilson. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Grace Hospital invests $6m in new operating theatre

2 Feb, 2019 10:23pm
4 minutes to read

An eighth operating theatre will also be built in the foreseeable future.

Anuj Shah (left) with friends and family in the Indian fan-zone at Bay Oval. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Indian fans abuzz at sold-out Bay Oval ODI

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

Saturday's clash between NZ and India was a smash hit, with 9143 the official gate count.

Francois and Arlene Barbeau, of Te Puna, say 13 of their chickens were killed in one night last week. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Pack of dogs thought to be killing dozens of chickens

26 Jan, 2019 6:00pm
4 minutes to read

One resident said he and his family had lost about 40 chickens in the past three months.

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Bay could hit that magic 30C in heatwave

26 Jan, 2019 10:00am
3 minutes to read

The timing couldn't be better with an action-packed few days in store for the Bay.

The ute is said to have hit a big brick wall and then a power pole, which fell down onto the road and dragged another power pole with it. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

'It was just so loud': Ute brings down two power poles

26 Jan, 2019 1:52pm
3 minutes to read

The incident happened on Otumoetai Rd about 6.50am.

Rohit Sharma led the Indian side onto the field, where they faced a haka led by Tawera Black. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Pōwhiri for Indian cricketers at Bay Oval

25 Jan, 2019 4:24pm
3 minutes to read

It was the first time such a ceremony had taken place for a visiting team at Bay Oval.

Bay Oval has provided plenty of runs already this summer. Photo / File

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Bay Oval ready for Black Caps and India showdown

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

Indian television is here filming a travel series in lead-up to the Cricket World Cup.

Pradeep Patel, big cricket fan and owner of the Talk of India restaurant in Tauranga. Photo/George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

India at Bay Oval a long time coming for Tauranga cricket fan

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

A Tauranga Indian cricket fan is excited ahead of Saturday's ODI between NZ and India.

Slash, One Love Festival, and Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli. Photo / File

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Bay's BIG weekend: ODI cricket, One Love, and more

24 Jan, 2019 8:38am
4 minutes to read

This coming long weekend in Tauranga is "going to be huge".

People donating money to social agencies rather than direct to beggars has helped alleviate aggression in Greerton. Photo / File

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Big improvement in problem begging in Greerton

23 Jan, 2019 8:00am
4 minutes to read

Security guards and people not giving beggars money are key to improved street behaviour.