Top stories for Tuesday, September 23

1. Mallowpuffs voted Bay's best biscuit

Bay of Plenty voters have taken to the polls and voted Mallowpuffs Original their favourite biscuit in an annual nationwide biscuit election.

2. 'Amazing' principal mourned

Moira Ramsbottom, principal's assistant, worked with Brendan Schollum, when Aquinas first opened. Photo / John Borren

The Catholic community has lost a "passionate and enthusiastic educator" with the sudden death of Aquinas College founding principal Brendan Schollum.

3. Bay's boom of house-and-land packages

House-and-land packages are proving popular in Tauranga with reasonable prices and the Bay's lifestyle. Juliet Rowan examines the booming sector.

4. New rules rile bus operators

A clampdown on cruise ship passengers paying cash to tour bus operators touting for business outside the port gates has sparked accusations that Tourism Bay of Plenty was creating a monopoly.

5. Who wants Clayton's council job?

Brendan Horan has come out strongly against suggestions he might stand for Clayton Mitchell's soon to be vacated Mount Maunganui-Papamoa seat on Tauranga City Council.