Our older locals keep it real
I recently invited a cross-section of our over 65’s in the community to a morning tea to chat about how the government is going...
Happy New Year and welcome to 2017
The WHOMP has been refreshed, rejuvenated and rebranded in time for this edition, and so too has our Government. The substance of both remains...
Sticks and stones
"Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me."
It was a saying we used when we were kids, to push...
Our Community Mural at Welcome Bay
I’ve seen a few murals in my time. I like the way as public art they stand out amongst their often separate surroundings.
Our Welcome...
Open letter: Dear Sir Spray of Plenty
Last Friday I awoke to a stunning sunny Friday in Te Puna, only to have it shattered by the sound of a groaning spray machine pouring Hicane...
Is the government blowing the budget?
On the 1st of July, the Government’s Regional Fuel Tax came into effect after the Labour Government put the House into urgency so they...
Howzat!
I had the pleasure of opening Selwyn Ridge School’s new AstroTurf. It will be a fantastic resource for the school that has already seen...
Welcome news for Welcome Bay
Minister Parata and I visited Welcome Bay School recently to make an announcement that is outstanding for our region. After being welcomed warmly by...
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.
Want Change? Petition!
As a theme for this edition’s column, I want to talk about petitions.
Petitions are a great way to rally a community around a cause,...
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...
