Tauranga Crossing marketing manager Jess Handley, Hawkins Construction Central regional manager Peter McCawe, Tauranga Crossing chief executive Steve Lewis, and Warren and Mahoney project principal Blair Johnston. Photo / George Novak
Tauranga Crossing marketing manager Jess Handley, Hawkins Construction Central regional manager Peter McCawe, Tauranga Crossing chief executive Steve Lewis, and Warren and Mahoney project principal Blair Johnston. Photo / George Novak
The Bay of Plenty Times is taking a look back at the stories of 2019. Here's what made headlines in April.
April 3:
About 1000 employees were gearing up for the opening of stage two of Tauranga's newest mega-mall on April 4.
Tauranga Crossing was to open its doors to45 new stores, 17 new dining options and an 800-seat cinema in stage two of the $150 million development.
The "bright" and "outgoing" 21-year-old killed in a crash had never recovered from his mother's sudden death nearly three years ago, his grandmother said.
Maketū-born Manepo Tapsell-Wafer, 21, died instantly when his car and a van collided near Affco on the Te Puke Highway about 5.40pm on Tuesday. The van driver, a man in his 40s, was in hospital with moderate injuries.
Darel Barton, 49, died in Tauranga Hospital on March 28 from the injuries he received during a workplace accident at the sawmills in Te Puke earlier that day.
Pukepine Sawmill kiln supervisor Darel Barton, 49, died on March 28 after a work place accident. Photo /Supplied.
April 8:
A Tauranga teen angler blew the local competition out of the water with a pending world record catch.
The shortbilled spearfish, which clocked in at a hefty 34.5kg and was almost longer than the angler himself, was reeled in by 13-year-old Ezra Keenan in late March at the Tauranga Sport Fishing Club.
Zac Holmberg and Ezra Keenan out on the water after the big haul. Photo / Supplied
April 10:
Super gluing teeth back together, pulling teeth with vice grips and DIY fillings were among the horror jobs attempted by people attempting to avoid expensive dental costs.
But dentists said running a surgery was expensive and dentistry could not be done safely for much cheaper than they charge.
Education Minister Chris Hipkins approved the establishment of a new Years 1 to 6 primary school in Pāpāmoa East to initially be known as Te Okuroa Drive School.
The police dive squad found a crashed ute with the driver inside under water near Maungatapu Bridge. Photo / George Novak
April 30:
Transpower had "no plan B" if it didn't get consent for its $7 million plan to move power lines slung over houses and sportsfields in Rangataua.
There was standing room only on April 29 as the Environment Court began hearing an appeal against the national grid operator's plan to move 3.3km of the 110kV transmission line that powers Mount Maunganui alongside State Highway 29 between Maungatapu and Matapihi.
