If decorating the Christmas tree is the most exciting time of the year, then felling it is surely the most gloomy. There are few

VISITORS: Eric Hoyeau and wife Anne Konitz in front of Sir Tristram House, the beach bach of Sir Patrick Hogan, who they were hosted

What a nightmare it was driving down State Highway 29a after the Bay Dreams event. I got a phone call from my younger brother on

While I was out surfing (well, attempting to surf) this week I was reminded of just how powerful the ocean is. The surf was small

Imagine being called Anal, 3rd, Lucifer or 4real. Eleven Kiwi babies have narrowly escaped being called by such awful names. And

The baying of young males on the wind, and the distant, delighted squeals of young girls on the pull, told me the New Year was imminent

Fresh on the tail of the announcement of the New Year honours it might be pertinent to look ahead 12 months and reserve one for whoever

COMMENT: Over a summer beer, someone casually asked me what I wanted for 2017. I just as casually said "world peace."

Reading the stories of ordinary Kiwis who have gone on to achieve great things is always a highlight for me. This week five Bay residents

Former BBC DJ Andy Kershaw is down the bottom of the garden eating worms, on the receiving end of the fury of George Michael fans

COMMENT: As we head into another sweltering Kiwi summer, the water quality of our lakes, rivers and streams will continue to disappoint and enrage.

The All Blacks may have cleaned up at the IRB Rugby Awards for 2016, but - for the British sporting press - the year belonged to England. Not

Two tragic water-related deaths over the past week have put a spotlight on the perils associated with our coastlines, lakes and waterways. Yesterday

Kids love toys, technology, flashy things, things that make loud noises and things that sparkle. Their wee eyes light up when they

Santa's sack is empty - much like our credit cards and staff canteens, but our pukus and our memories of 2016 are full, like the rich

What an incredible way to end the year. When I came into work yesterday, I was greeted with the exciting news that the Bay of Plenty

You've got to wonder at the level of ignorance the Corrections Department displayed over Mt Eden prisoners getting flowers (yes, I

It's difficult to comprehend why the Waikato Regional Council felt the need to stand down a harbourmaster for successfully saving

What's in a name? Plenty. Especially when it's given to a new human in front of their closest family and friends. I did my first

There was much speculation about the potential impact of the new loan-to-value ratios (LVR) when they were announced earlier this

With Christmas Day just a week away it is that time of year when many people overindulge in food and alcohol only to regret it early

Stop the clock. Do you long to stop it or smash it each December? A friend who's celebrating her 50th birthday this week remarked

Right now I am one with the people of Yiwu, China where most of the world's Christmas tat is made, who may be said to cry with one

While Christmas is meant to be a time of happiness and joy, the lead-up to the big day can be stressful, tiring and downright frantic

The focus of Government Ministers at present is very much on developing, and then rolling out, support packages for people affected

COMMENT: Air NZ announced it was pulling out of Whanganui. It sent a powerful message that Whanganui was not worthy of our national carrier's munificence.

The emergence of Bill English as National party leader and, therefore as Prime Minister, was in some ways almost a non-event. It did

Creativity has really come to the fore in this year's Christmas Appeal. One of my favourite parts of the job as appeal co-ordinator

Hundreds of kids were given bikes thanks to the generosity of the Tauranga community. Photo/Campbell Squared We all have our memories

If there is one hope I have for new mayor Greg Brownless and his new council, it is that they will seriously consider overhauling