Latest from BOPT Opinion

A sports reporter's quest for love

"My immediate reaction was that I'd rather head butt a Shakti mat."

Zoe Hunter: Police need more power to put hard line on gangs

People are scared. Crime like this has never been seen in the Bay, writes Zoe Hunter.

Todd Muller: Gang violence unprecedented for Tauranga

COMMENT: Police have our backs but who has theirs?

Dawn Picken: Single can be satisfying on Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day takes on a different meaning when you're single

Sheree Trotter: Visiting Auschwitz profound and disturbing

Comment: Visiting Auschwitz all the more disturbing for the resurgence of antisemitism.

Dawn Picken: Long road towards equality in sports

COMMENT: We still have a ways to go to eliminate racism and sexism in sports.

Carmen Hall: People who dump rubbish at charity shops are losers

Comment: People continue to dump rubbish at charity shops in the Bay of Plenty.

Carmen Hall: G-strings are for the bedroom, not beach

COMMENT: As the mum, I worry about the impression this trend is making on young girls.

Katee Shanks: I'll never look at Whakaari the same way again

It's during the downtime when thoughts of December 9 come to the fore.

Dawn Picken: Go ahead - chat up a stranger

Researchers say one way to boost mental health is to chat with someone you don't know.

Sonya Bateson: Okay boomer, don't get mad

Don't dish it out if you can't take it.

'I thought about taking my own life' - Radio host overcomes depression

The Hits radio host shares why he's thankful he experienced depression

Lizzie Marvelly: Irrelevant Guy Fawkes has had his day

COMMENT: It's time for Guy Fawkes to go.

Letters: No problems with our gun laws

Bay of Plenty readers have their say.

Letters: Talking and listening can lead to understanding

Bay of Plenty readers have their say.

Zizi Sparks: Maketu Pies lifeline hopefully paves way for prosperous future

Maketu Pies was at risk of getting the chop when an iwi trust changed all that.

Zizi Sparks: Why the All Blacks losing the World Cup won't be so bad

COMMENT: Why dwell on the losses when there's so much to celebrate?

Rachel Stewart: Freed from hope but not hopeless

COMMENT: By clinging to hope people become deluded that things might change.