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Back in May, Peter Oakes signed up for swimming classes at Mount Maunganui's BayWave. Now, the Bay of Plenty Times has caught up with him to see how he's been getting on. Photo / George Novak

NEW ZEALAND

What happened next: Peter Oakes, the 57-year-old Kiwi bloke learning to swim

27 Dec, 2019 10:00am
4 minutes to read

He's breaking down any and all stigmas that exist around learning to swim as an adult.

Matilda Donald (left) and Tama Hubbard both have a degenerative disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Photos / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Two toddlers battle same disease. Only one is improving

7 Dec, 2019 10:00am
7 minutes to read

Matilda Donald lives in Sydney, Australia. Tama Hubbard lives in rural Taupō, New Zealand.

Amelia Tapsell (left), 11, and Aria Tapsell, 8, were both looking forward to all the dancers in the Trustpower Christmas Parade, and of course the arrival of Santa. Photo / George Novak

PREMIUM

Christmas Parade brings festive fun to Tauranga

30 Nov, 2019 2:29pm
3 minutes to read

The parade was full of festive colour and a wide range of curious characters.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services at the Bay of Plenty District Health Board. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

DHB: Planned playground for mental health unit will now be a garden

30 Nov, 2019 12:00pm
4 minutes to read

DHB says technical standards required for playground would've exceeded size of donation.

England bowler Jofra Archer during the first test at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. Photo / AP

SPORT

Scott Yeoman: Why the Jofra Archer racism incident angers and embarrasses me

28 Nov, 2019 6:04pm
5 minutes to read

I was in the crowd at Bay Oval, I saw Jofra Archer stop and talk to security.

England's Jofra Archer prepares to bowl during a training session in Hamilton. Photo / AP

SPORT

'Definitely wasn't a NZ fan': New revelation in Archer scandal

27 Nov, 2019 7:30pm
6 minutes to read

NZME has uncovered video footage that appears to confirm the insult was shouted out.

England cricketer Jofra Archer leaves the field after being dismissed during day five of the first test match between New Zealand and England at Bay Oval. Photo / Getty Images

SPORT

England cricketer praised for calling out racism at Bay Oval

26 Nov, 2019 4:00pm
5 minutes to read

Tauranga's mayor has called the Bay Oval incident 'completely unacceptable'.

The police Serious Crash Unit has been called to the scene. Photo / Scott Yeoman

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Cyclist seriously injured in crash in Welcome Bay

21 Nov, 2019 7:32pm
Quick Read

The incident was reported shortly after 7pm.

Day 1 of the New Zealand Black Caps vs England test match at Mount Maunganui's Bay Oval. Photo / Photosport

SPORT | Cricket

England's Barmy Army gets the atmosphere going at Bay Oval

21 Nov, 2019 7:02pm
4 minutes to read

The sun was shining, a trumpet was playing, and the Barmy Army was singing along.

Black Caps captain Kane Williamson and kuia Kura Benton hongi as local iwi greet the Black Caps and England at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Bay Oval looking a picture! Pōwhiri welcomes Black Caps and England

19 Nov, 2019 1:20pm
4 minutes to read

The Black Caps and England have been officially welcomed on to Bay Oval.

Bay Oval turf manager Jared Carter says most of the preparation work for Thursday's test match is done now and his team are keen to get the game under way. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

'I'm pretty fizzed up for it': Stage set for first test at Bay Oval

19 Nov, 2019 7:14am
4 minutes to read

This match has been a long time coming for Bay Oval staff.

Firefighters at the scene of a house fire in Hairini. Photo / Scott Yeoman

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Unattended cooking sparks house fire

18 Nov, 2019 2:23pm
Quick Read

Two fire crews were called to fight the blaze.

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

The Chase star Shaun Wallace coming to Tauranga

18 Nov, 2019 7:00am
3 minutes to read

A fundraising event for Tauranga's homeless and needy, and a visit to a local pub.

From left: Benna Simons, 7, Justine Thompson, Georgie Simons, 9, Rogier Simons and Betty Davis (nana). Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Fun family day out at Tauranga Christmas at the Races

16 Nov, 2019 6:56pm
2 minutes to read

The popular annual social event at Tauranga Racecourse was in full swing.

NEW ZEALAND

'Toxic' workplace: Manager hits out at DHB in scathing report

16 Nov, 2019 7:00am
9 minutes to read

Unit 'negative, anxiety-provoking and a place where you just 'shut up and put up'.'

Kaumātua Tamati Tata blesses Tauranga's new i-SITE, now located at 103 The Strand. Photo / Katie Cox

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Tauranga's new i-SITE opens on The Strand

13 Nov, 2019 11:00am
4 minutes to read

The site has moved a couple of hundred metres from its former spot on Willow St.

Kristin Hall and Oscar Curry on their noble steed, Pumbaa, pictured here in Nigeria. Photo / Rugged As

TRAVEL

300 days, 20 countries: One Kiwi couple's epic journey

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

From eating rat stew in Congo, to negotiating with armed rebels in the desert.

A Bay of Plenty conservation biologist wants to use drones to target invasive predators that are putting New Zealand's native species at risk. Photo / X-Craft

PREMIUM

Attack of the drones: Conservationist plans aerial attack on pests

8 Nov, 2019 9:03am
4 minutes to read

On a private west coast island near Auckland, a test was being conducted this week.

Tama Hubbard, 3, has a degenerative disease called spinal muscular atrophy. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Talking with Tama, a sick toddler who can't access the drug he needs

5 Nov, 2019 8:00am
5 minutes to read

And the American drug company and Pharmac respond to questions.

Elizabeth Mandeno performing at the Lockwood New Zealand Aria in Rotorua. Photo / Tony Whitehead

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Kiwi singer wins Lockwood New Zealand Aria in Rotorua

3 Nov, 2019 3:58pm
7 minutes to read

Judges were "blown away" by the "extremely high" calibre of the event's 73rd edition.

Tama Hubbard has a degenerative disease called spinal muscular atrophy. He was back in Rotorua Hospital last week after developing a small cough. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Tama is deteriorating fast. But the drug that can help him is too expensive

31 Oct, 2019 12:41pm
6 minutes to read

It is thought there are fewer than 100 people in the country with the condition.

Pāpāmoa All Blacks fan Tawhai Rickard has altered the sign on his fence after the weekend's semi-final disaster. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Still proud: All Blacks fan has a message for fellow Kiwis

29 Oct, 2019 3:30pm
4 minutes to read

And he's written that message on his fence. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Acacio Martinez, 11, Sean Macilwee, 11, Holly Arthur-Worsop, 9, and Kaea Price, 10, have all been taking part in the Tidal Discoveries programme in Tauranga. Photo / Scott Yeoman

PREMIUM

Students become 'authentic scientists' in their own backyard

25 Oct, 2019 9:00am
4 minutes to read

Tidal Discoveries now has 10 schools on board, monitoring 12 sites in and around Tauranga.

Old friends Gary Lonergan (left) and Brian Pope have watched a lot of Bay of Plenty Steamers games together, and were in the stands on Friday for the big semifinal win. They will be back next week for the final. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Bay of Plenty Steamers fans raring to go for home final

20 Oct, 2019 1:25pm
3 minutes to read

The Steamers smashed Manawatu 64-3 in the semifinal on Friday night.

Stephen Short, the director of Coast Homes Limited, which was put into liquidation on September 9 by the High Court at Tauranga. Photo / File

BUSINESS

Revealed: How much Coast Homes owes, according to the liquidators

19 Oct, 2019 5:30am
5 minutes to read

The liquidators are trying to recover three related-party loans, to pay the taxman.

Bay of Plenty couple Kahu and Robin Grace have been foster parents at an Oranga Tamariki family home in Tauranga for six years. Photo / Andrew Warner

NEW ZEALAND

'I'm not afraid of crying': Couple step up to help 140 Kiwi kids

12 Oct, 2019 9:00am
9 minutes to read

Robin and Kahu Grace have looked after other people's kids for six years.

Almost half of the top 20 emergency housing providers in the Western Bay of Plenty, a lot of which are motels, were paid more than $100,000 each in less than three years. Photo / Getty Images

NEW ZEALAND

Motels reap millions from emergency housing

12 Oct, 2019 8:00am
5 minutes to read

Almost half of the top 20 providers were paid $100,000-plus in less than three years.

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

Budget blowout: Bay of Plenty DHB deficit now almost $17m

10 Oct, 2019 2:29pm
5 minutes to read

And it grew by more than $6m in a single month.

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

Budget blowout: Lakes DHB deficit reaches almost $15m

9 Oct, 2019 8:56pm
5 minutes to read

And it grew by almost $7m in a single month.

Greerton Lotto owner Belinda Sands with her two lucky charms, Pippi and Johnny the two English staffies. Photo / George Novak

PREMIUM

When a Lotto jackpot hits $28m, all eyes are on these lucky charms

8 Oct, 2019 9:00am
4 minutes to read

The Lotto Powerball jackpot is $28 million tomorrow night.

Raj Kumar, the owner of Springfield Superette and Lotto, says he sees

ROTORUA DAILY POST

When a Lotto jackpot hits 'FOMO' status

8 Oct, 2019 9:00am
4 minutes to read

The Lotto Powerball jackpot is $28 million tomorrow night.

Police at the scene in Mount Maunganui where a man's body was found on a motorboat and another man was discovered injured. Photo / George Novak

NEW ZEALAND

Body found on boat in Mount Maunganui

5 Oct, 2019 2:25pm
2 minutes to read

A man has been found dead on board and another man has been located onshore nearby.

The office of Bella Vista Homes at The Lakes in Tauranga, photographed here in November 2017, before the building company was put into voluntary liquidation. Photo / File

BUSINESS

Bella Vista saga: The curious case of the missing computer server

27 Sep, 2019 12:04pm
4 minutes to read

And everyone the liquidators have spoken to is denying knowing anything about it.

Victoria Johnson (inset) owns one of two deserted building sites in Te Aranga Dr in Pāpāmoa Beach. She's locked in an ongoing property dispute with Tauranga building company Coast Homes Limited. Photos / George Novak / Dean Purcell

NEW ZEALAND

She paid Coast Homes $267K. Then a property dispute ensued

24 Sep, 2019 12:11pm
7 minutes to read

This month, Coast Homes was put into liquidation owing a significant amount of money.

Event organiser and volunteer Emma Richardson (left) with Alice Jones of Mount Maunganui, who picked up some rat traps. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Rat traps handed out for free at Conservation Week event

21 Sep, 2019 6:58pm
2 minutes to read

An obligation of getting a trap is logging whatever is caught.

The sun was out and the trees were flowering at the Greerton Village Cherry Blossom Festival. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Dancing, cars and steampunk at the Cherry Blossom Festival

21 Sep, 2019 5:48pm
2 minutes to read

The Greerton Village Cherry Blossom Festival had something for everyone on Saturday.

Bay Conservation Alliance chief executive Michelle Elborn (right) with the Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage at the Bay of Plenty organisation's launch last year. Photo / File

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Bay of Plenty conservation gets $300K funding boost

18 Sep, 2019 11:11am
3 minutes to read

TECT has approved $300K of funding over two years, across eight local conservation groups.

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 8:34am
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.

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.

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.