Top five stories for Thursday, September 4

AIMS Games opening ceremony. PHOTO/FILE

1. Diane's battling for survival

A young Tauranga woman who overcame years of painful surgery to fix her face was last night fighting for her life in an Australian hospital after after a three-car smash.

UPDATED 10.12am: The much needed surgery expected to help Miss Wilson target="_blank">was delayed.

Tauranga's Diane Wilson. PHOTO/FILE

2. ''Dave'' still recovering in Tauranga Hospital

The mystery man known as ''Dave'' remains in Tauranga Hospital this afternoon.

3. Waka plan divides retailers

Downtown business owners are split on whether a plan to place a 75-metre waka on Tauranga's waterfront will help or hinder trade in the area.

4. Tauranga property values up but WBOP a mixed bag

Residential Property values in Tauranga City have increased by 0.8 per cent over the past three months and 5.1 per cent year on year, according to figures released at noon today.

5. AIMS Games set to get Tauranga tills ringing

It's one of the biggest sports events in New Zealand - now an economic impact study will work out exactly how valuable the NZCT Aims Games to Tauranga and the wider Bay of Plenty region.