In Loving Memory: Malcom Kidd (c.1932 – 2019, aged 86)
Malcolm knew I was going to write this column and he briefed me well. There is no space here to list his...
Mauao summit with Bay Waka Autumn issue 14 – video by Andy Belcher
At midday, on 5th January 2019, aerial photos with this video were taken over the summit of Mauao with the written permission...
When One’s Salary Depends on Misunderstanding
Bureaucrats are the same all over this planet. You can tell them at any hui. The surface style of the bureaucrat may...
A Warm Farewell
After nearly four years in the role, I will be stepping down as Chamber CEO in May. It’s been an action-packed four...
Calling All Local Body Candidates
The closing date for ‘Bay Waka’ Western BOP and Eastern BOP ‘Election Special Issue’ magazines is Friday 30 August 2019.
A Chat With Mayor Greg Brownless
"Life is a bit like a golf ball..."
With elections looming I was keen to know more about Mayor...
Kai Aroha – Food with Compassion, Kindness and Equity
Kai Aroha is a relief service to the community. We aim to alleviate the current poverty situation people are in by providing them with hot nutritious food and grocery items one night per week. Feeding nutritious food to our community is part of the healing process in helping people move forward in their journey to be free from poverty. Food opens the door to trust and develops confidence. Kai Aroha is a gateway to other services in the community. We listen to their stories and we connect them with community and professional services where needed.
The Yellow Peril: The Story of a Yellow Rolls Royce
In July 2018, one Edward Summers from Germany told me that he had spent five years trying to find me because he...
Kai Aroha and Awhina House
One of the best parts about being on council is the exposure I get to the many amazing community groups and charities...
Kai Aroha – Giving Back
The Kai Aroha team tells us the stories of why they wanted to be part of the solution - helping to improve...
Latest article
‘Rhythm & Rhapsody’ Set To Entertain
It’s been another busy year for Tauranga based INACHORD women’s chorus who meet weekly in a social setting in Bethlehem primarily to prepare new...
Western Bay gains freedom camping funding
Western Bay of Plenty District Council has been successful in receiving $133,032 from the Responsible Camping Working Group to dedicate resources to monitoring, use...
Diwali Festival to spread love, light, colour and sound in Tauranga this labour weekend
Tauranga's Historic Village is set to welcome the summer season with a sensory extravaganza celebrating the world-famous Indian Festival of Diwali.
Festival to be...
The Imperial Russian Ballet Company presents Swan Lake at Baycourt, 5-7 November 2019
Bring Tchaikovsky’s magnificent music and superb Russian ballet dancers together and you have Swan Lake.
The most beloved classical ballet of all time, Swan Lake,...
Better Services. Better Governance. BETTER TAURANGA
Better Services. Better Governance. Better Tauranga
Campaign for Better Council Governance is committed to educating voters about all candidates standing for election to Tauranga City...
2019 Mini Nationals event over Labour Weekend
The Tauranga Mini Owners Club is hosting the 25th annual Mini Nationals over Labour Weekend (25-27Oct19)
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Mini’s...
Closing the Gap Candidate Survey 2019
The priorities and preferences of candidates running in this year's local body elections have been revealed in Closing the Gap's recent candidate survey.
Closing the Gap 2019 Survey – Summary of Responses
The following outcomes are the results from a recent survey of election candidates by income equity group Closing the Gap's recent survey of local body election candidates across the region.
Closing the Gap Candidate Survey – Tauranga City Council
The following outcomes are the results from a recent survey of Tauranga City Council election candidates by income equity group Closing the Gap.
Closing the Gap Candidate Survey – Western Bay of Plenty District Council
The following outcomes are the results from a recent Closing the Gap survey results from the Western Bay of Plenty District Council candidates.
Closing the Gap Candidate Survey – Bay of Plenty Regional Council
The following outcomes are the results from a recent survey of Bay of Plenty Regional Council election candidates by income equity group Closing the Gap.
Candidates...
Let’s Hand Over the Keys to Forward Thinkers
Tommy Kapai Wilson likens spring to new beginnings, new hope and changes - and encourages voters to keep this word in mind as election season draws close.
Tommy Kapai Wilson: Where Did We Go Wrong?
Tommy Kapai Wilson investigates the possible reasons behind continued poor performance and financial hardship of our regional rugby teams.
What is Freemasonry?
In this short inspiring movie, Ben Franklin explains what it means to be a Freemason.
Tauranga Creative Fibre: The National Runway Success of Tauranga’s Sea Queen
In the April 2019 edition of the Bay Waka we wrote about the Tauranga Creative Fibre group entering a National Competition in Palmerston North. It was a Project Runway entry in our National 50th Anniversary Festival.
“Valuable” Art Exhibition by Lynne Sinclair Taylor
Lynne Sinclair Taylor will be holding an exhibition entitled “Valuable” in the conference room at The Raft Espresso and Eatery, Chapel St, Tauranga over Labour Weekend.
Rotary in Action – International Good in Our Own Backyard
Glenys Parton shares her story of meeting Vinna and how Rotary has helped her reunite with her family.
Epic Rugby Showdown – Te Puna won!
If rugby is a religion — and for many of us it is, then making it to the finals in the Bay Wide
competition is...
Tui in our Backyard
Tui are beautiful native birds that feed largely on the nectar of flowers which is facilitated by their extraordinary long tongues.
Kawerau WoodFest Celebrates Industry
Some towns try to hide their industrial origins when visitors come calling; they don’t
recognise that those very origins can be used to draw people in. Not Kawerau. In
Kawerau industry is celebrated - that’s what Kawerau WoodFest and Generation Homes National Woodskills Competition is all about.
Three Great Walks at Ōtanewainuku
If you’re looking for some exercise with friends, family or on your own this weekend, try one of the great walks in the nearby forest at Ōtanewainuku.
Welcome Bay Vets: A Weighty Winter Issue for Our Four-Legged Friends
Our friends at Welcome Bay Vet Clinic shares the surprising effect winter has on our cute and cuddly four-legged friends.
Tony Hammond: From the Emerald Isle to the Land of the Long White Cloud
Tony Hammond shares his memories of his family's journey from Ireland to New Zealand, and the adventures along the way.
Tony Hammond Motors’ New Yard
Our editor shares his inspiration for the latest issue of the Bay Waka and long-standing admiration of businessman and musical sensation Tony Hammond.
Eight Cars Bought from Tony Hammond and Counting
I first met Tony Hammond when my aching knee and my manual car were about to part company...
Driving...
Laughter, Song and The Hammonds
The summer of 1973 was the beginning of a joyous journey through Otumoetai College and, with it burgeoning friendships which, as time has testified were to last a lifetime.
History of Tauranga’s Own Music Sensation The Hammonds
The Hammonds music phenomenon began on their six-week voyage en route from Ireland to New Zealand when they emigrated here in 1973....
Free Expo to Welcome Newcomers to Western Bay of Plenty
The “New to the Bay Expo 2019” is a free event to be held at Tauranga Boys College on Saturday, 28 September from 10am – 3pm.
The expo was created to support and inform locals and newcomers to the Western Bay of
Plenty about services and activities in the community that support settlement and to encourage community participation.
New Patrol Car Needs New Patrollers
The Ōmokoroa Community Policing Group has taken delivery of a brand new vehicle and is encouraging more patrol volunteers to come forward to use it.
Nature Needs Us and Now is the Time to Take Action
The Bay of Plenty is leading the way for Conservation Week 2019, with 26 events registered for people of all ages to get involved and care for our nature.
Bay of Plenty Regional Council Candidate Statement: Matthew Farrell
In the lead up to Council elections, we'll be posting candidate statements on our site.
Bay of Plenty Regional Council Candidate Statement: Jenny Hobbs
In the lead up to Council elections, we'll be posting candidate statements on our site.
Tauranga City Candidates Tackle Trust, Transparency and Accountability at Startup Weekend
Four Tauranga City Council candidates (AJ Tuhoro, Suzi Paige, Heidi Hughes and Erika Harvey) all of them connected to the entrepreneurial community,...
Western Bay Council Notifies District Plan Changes
Western Bay of Plenty District Council has opened submissions for important District Plan changes to bring resource management rules up-to-date with...
Well Sensered Food
Arriving from the shadows of Australia’s culinary underground, Well Sensered Food makes its first international appearance, in partnership with the Tauranga Art Gallery – and this is only the beginning of the story.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council Releases Updated Hazard Maps
Western Bay of Plenty District Council has been mapping and planning for natural hazardssince the 1990s.
The Council is...
Te Reo Māori Lessons for Health Staff
Bay of Plenty District Health Board (BOPDHB) staff and their whānau have the opportunity to learn te reo Māori on-site thanks to a new initiative to grow the use and quality of te reo me ōnā tikanga within the DHB and its communities.
Labour-led government contradicts its own policies at heavy community cost
I am proud of the way our community has come together over the debacle of NZTA’s handling of the Bayfair underpass. It takes a...
Western Bay of Plenty Candidates Confirmed for 2019 Elections
A total of 53 candidates are contesting this year’s Local Body Elections in the Western Bay of Plenty.
Nominations...
10 Days of Rollicking Entertainment at Tauranga Arts Fest
Tauranga Arts Festival promises 10 days and nights of rollicking good entertainment when it rolls into town in October, with highlights ranging...
