Latest fromTauranga

'Staggering': The city where houses are earning more in a month than most people earn in a year
The latest REINZ data shows the city's house price have reached a record $1,050,000.

Christmas appeal launches as foodbank braces for record demand
The Bay of Plenty Times has launched its six-week annual Christmas Appeal.

'Life was getting sucked out of them': Covid survivor's 'brutal' ICU ordeal
Andrew Leota could only watch and breathe as Covid-19 killed people next to him.

'Hard to breathe': Sick 3-year-old waits 11 hours to see ED doctor
The young boy also had flu-like symptoms but was not tested for Covid-19.

Tauranga early childhood teachers protest for pay parity
About 30 Tauranga teachers came together last Saturday demanding pay parity.

Police investigating suspicious death of 5-year-old boy
The child died this morning after an incident at a Bay of Plenty property last week.

Jo Raphael: Stop likening NZ to Nazi Germany
OPINION: We don't have it as bad as Anne Frank did.

Parents left 'hanging' as preschool shuts due to vaccine mandate
Preschool owner: 'We can [no] longer operate under these current conditions.'

The organisation helping to vaccinate our gang members
The group says it has the potential to reach up to 4500 vulnerable community members.

Cruise ship absence 'soul-destroying' but Bay readies for return
The Bay has fared well in visitor spend but now's not the time to rest on laurels.

Multi-million dollar Omanawa Falls 'safe access' plans revealed
Proposed plans for making public access to Omanawa Falls safe have been revealed.

Year-round water restrictions to begin next month
But there is concern a hot summer could make things "more difficult than anticipated".

$100k of free dental care 'barely scratched the surface'
Some 223 people in Tauranga that received free dental care last month.

Lifting Bay jab rate could prevent 100 Covid deaths in 2022
And 230 deaths were predicted for next year at an 80 per cent vaccination rate.

Covid 19: Inside a Bay anti-mandate protest
There were divided opinions among the protesters - but they had a common goal.

Election shake-up: Ex-mayors at odds over new ward voting model
Concerns raised at a "silent majority" of the community not having their say.

How the council plans to capture 'silent' voices in campaign to shape city future
The campaign is aimed at those people who often dont get heard by the council.

Regional House to get new $2.5m Civil Defence emergency coordination centre
The new emergency coordination centre was due to be completed by April 2022

Number of local dog attacks revealed, owners warned
Dog owners can be held to account if their pet attacks someone or causes injury.

The 90% Project: Tauranga's top vaccinated suburbs revealed
Two Tauranga suburbs could be first to reach the 90% vaccination target in three weeks.

Pāpāmoa Hills park to reopen Wednesday after death
Police attended a sudden death at the park on Sunday.

Bay of Plenty Lotto players part of 15 second division wins
Two winning second division tickets were sold at Bay of Plenty stores.

'It's not right': Fears easy access to liquor in deprived areas causing harm
Those on the frontline says alcohol worsens bad situations for the already vulnerable.

Locals want action from international climate conference
Three generations want more from the COP26 conference in Glasgow than just talk.

Letters: How to bring the team of 5 million back together
Our readers have their say.

Jo Raphael: Don't let Covid vaccine fears put communities at risk
OPINION: Communities are relying on their leaders to do the right thing.

'Incredibly worrying': Intermediate principals plead for school counsellors
There is a 'worrying number of young people with serious mental health worries".

'Life-changing and horrific': Mum raises mental health awareness after losing son
The couple believe school counselling support is needed to assist student mental health.

'Powerless': Rural school principal, four staff set to lose jobs over jab mandate
Several staff members have accepted the possibility they may lose their jobs.