CATCHING UP: We review stories of interest

Double birthday bonanza for new mum
November 12 will be an expensive day for new mum Jacqui Toohey - every year.
The 38-year-old Bellevue osteopath, who featured in the Bay of Plenty Times last weekend, gave birth to baby Byron on the day of his dad Clayton Bunning's 40th birthday.
"Clayton said it was the best birthday present he had ever had," Ms Toohey said. Byron Scott finally emerged on Friday the 12th, after more than two days of labour, weighing in at 8lb (3.6kg).
His proud mum said he was a happy lad, with steely blue eyes like Mr Bunning and a decent crop of dark hair like his mother.
"And he's becoming more and more alert. He's opening his eyes and looking at me. There's a lot more interaction going on."
Ms Toohey chose to tackle motherhood later in life and is one of an increasing number of women in New Zealand doing so.
The average Kiwi mother is now 30.2 years old.
Ms Toohey said she was coping well with sleepless nights and newborn baby chores.
"It's all a big learning curve."
_ Rachel Tiffen
Vandalism recedes
A surge in the amount of theft and vandalism of local playground equipment has dropped to "normal levels" after last month's outbreak.
Tauranga City Council reserves manager Geoff Canham said playground vandals cost ratepayers around $45,000 a year.
Last month the council reported a massive surge in the destruction and theft playground equipment and staff were at a loss as to why it was happening.
Although not scientifically tested, Mr Canham noted the path of destruction corresponded with the full moon.
As well as numerous incidents of vandalism, a slide and parts of a climbing frame were stolen from playgrounds.
Meanwhile, Mr Canham said the Mount Hot Pools refurbishment was on track and the facility would open as scheduled later this month. "It's well under way. The tiles are in place and work is all go." - Matthew Torbit
Emotion too much
When Bay war veteran Lloyd Coker had his chance to stand before the Unknown Warrior, the emotion of the day was too much.
The Brookfield man collapsed as the guns, carriage and coffin were brought among the people.
His blood pressure had shot up and he was dehydrated - and he only caught 10 minutes of the remembrance ceremony he had waited many years for.
"It was a trip to remember but I don't remember much," he said this week after returning from Wellington.
Mr Coker spent the night in Wellington's hospital and had tests done.
There were no health problems found and Mr Coker said he felt the emotion and exhaustion of the day had contributed to the turn.
The Bay Times told Mr Coker's story before he embarked on the long journey to Wellington where he intended to reflect on the many friends he lost at El Alamein during the World War 2.
The 86-year-old, who was a sergeant in the 14th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, lost several family members and friends through war.
"I lost a cousin at Cassino and lots of friends at El Alamein. My cousin was killed in WW1 in Sinai fighting the Turks. I guess it (the unknown warrior) could be someone I know, or knew," he said.
Mr Coker is back in his Brookfield home and is feeling better. _ Anna Bowden
Boobops launched
A group of Tauranga breast cancer survivors who have nicknamed themselves the "Boobops" have finally taken to the water this week after deciding to form a dragon boat racing team early last year.
The idea came from overseas where breast cancer survivors used the sport to help re-build their arm strength after operations to remove tumours and to keep themselves fit and healthy.
On Thursday night, the group launched a bright pink dragon boat into Tauranga Harbour for their first training session.
They plan to practice twice a week and hope to eventually compete in dragon boat regattas around the country.
Boobops' secretary, Sue Gripton, said 20 breast cancer survivors and supporters had joined the team.
Cash to pay for the dragon boat and pink uniforms had been donated by various local charities and organisations.
"The whole idea is to do something positive for breast cancer survivors and give us something to look forward to," Mrs Gripton said.
The group's official launch will take place next Saturday but the women were keen to get in some practice beforehand.
"We don't want to make fools of ourselves and fall out or anything," laughed Mrs Gripton. - Jo-Marie Brown
Contract on track
The new council chambers that will double up as Western Bay's civil defence building will be opened by the end of March.
Western Bay District Council is adding 440 sq m to the southern side of its existing building at Barkes Corner in Tauranga.
The council let a $900,000 contract after receiving a report that its prefab civil defence building at the back of the property was not suitable and its chambers had become too small and outdated.
The old chambers, which used to be a fire station, will be turned into offices. Council chief executive Glenn Snelgrove said the new chambers won't be quite as flash as Tauranga City's.
But it will be sound-proofed, equipped with the latest audio-visual equipment and be suitable for a multi-purpose building.
"The roof will take two inches of volcanic ash without falling in," he said.
The council is also installing an emergency generator and the new chambers will be able to be broken out into four small committee rooms.
The cost of the extensions was included in the council's annual plan for last year. I n an emergency the chambers will be closed off and turned into the civil defence headquarters for Tauranga City and Western Bay District.
- Graham Skellern
Report under way
A report into what caused a fatal helicopter crash near Te Puke this year is still months away from release, according to the Civil Aviation Authority.
Tauranga cameraman Peter Harris, 47, was killed in March when the Hughes 300 helicopter he was a passenger in crashed into farmland.
Pilot Graeme McKenzie, 35, survived the crash after a passing motorist and a local dragged him clear of the burning wreckage.
He was badly injured and spent weeks in the burns unit at Middlemore Hospital in Auckland.
Mr Harris was on the flight to film footage for Te Puke tourist attraction Kiwifruit country. About two minutes into the flight the aircraft burst into flames and plummeted to the ground.
Authority spokesperson Bill Sommer said investigations into such crashed usually took between nine and 12 months to complete.
"The crash investigators have a thorough checklist they follow, to ensure nothing is missed," Mr Sommer said.
Mr Sommer expected the report would be released early next year. _ Kristin Edge