Latest fromTauranga

Kelly Makiha: Housing accord missing vital details
OPINION: There are positive signs but when exactly will emergency housing woes end?

'Don’t stop giving': One last call for foodbank donations as appeal enters final week
'Don't stop giving' as final week of appeal begins

'In past couple of weeks it's hit me that life really is a survival game,' says mum
OPINION: Christmas appeals bring joy to many of our families in the Bay.

Widower, 90, spends fourth year volunteering for hospice in his wife's memory
“I feel that I owe Waipuna a lot ... because they really looked after her.”

'It meant a lot for us to have it back': Bereaved family reunited with memorial seat
Adrian Shuen's family were heartbroken when his memorial seat was removed.

Blood service seeking 120 more donors: 'It’s such an important cause'
The New Zealand Blood Service is forecasting a busier summer this year than last.

Machete attack: Man’s hand severed in petrol station brawl over chainsaw
Man in 'vigilante' attack at a Gull petrol station will spend eight years in jail.

New Zealander of the Year semifinalists announced
Black Ferns star is on the list of semifinalists for Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year.

Subscribers weigh in on the numbers of jobs for new plant
OPINION: Premium subscribers have their say.

'Over the moon': Winning future problem solvers aim to raise $24k for world champs
The winning team will head to Massachusetts in June.

Sonya Bateson: Fines should be based on a person’s income
OPINION: Fines are not fine when they target low-income people.

'False hope': Chief medical officer tells GPs ‘no expedition’ for surgeries
'The letter asking for it wastes your time ... and gives the patient false hope.'

'We’re always worried about an outbreak': Meningococcal cases on the rise
Pete and Helen Rowlands want to see vaccines funded for all 16-year-olds.

Olympics: Speed climber aims to scale new heights
Tauranga is home to the only official speed climbing wall in the country.

Caddie great Steve Williams chooses Rotorua for 'last hurrah' in speedway
Starship Foundation and Ronald McDonald House will benefit from the fundraiser.

'Absolutely stoked': BoP men's golf team breaks 10-year NZ title drought
The match was decided on the final hole.

Tauranga athletes strike gold at national games
The NZ Special OIympics National Summer Games have been held in Hamilton.

Jo Raphael: Plan changes will be good for our cities - let’s grow up
OPINION: Jo Raphael asks, if not here, then where?

Local voice, environmental conflicts key issues for councils in RMA reforms
The Government’s Resource Management Act reforms promise to be cheaper, faster and better.

'The perpetrator’s most powerful tool is our silence': Dad wants to break the cycle of sexual violence
'I am owning my past and saying it’s okay.'

Pāpāmoa local criticises Tauranga council for lack of action on dog-prohibited areas on beach
"It’s the only beach we’ve got and I’m going to stick up for it.”

Costs increase already for Tauranga’s $303.4m civic precinct redevelopment
Increased construction costs have been cited as a reason behind the extra $4.5m.

'Ripped him out of the ground': Reindeer allegedly stolen from town centre
CCTV footage shows people had "ripped him out of the ground, taken him and run”.

Jo Raphael: Trikafta funding huge coup for cystic fibrosis community
OPINION: The rollercoaster ride has ended with good news.

Michele Hunter: I’m done waiting for the storm to clear
OPINION: It’s the little stuff that can remind us of the good things.

The Premium Debate: Subscribers weigh in on GPs under pressure
OPINION: Premium subscribers have their say.

'Instil that social conscience': Merivale School students give back
The student-led initiative saw about 200 items donated to the foodbank.

From broken back to Ironman: Athlete heads to start line after horror crash
Craig Stewart was hit by a car while riding his bike but he was determined to race again.

Patient considers dipping $90K into retirement fund for non-publicly funded heart procedure
'If I don’t get it, it’s going to cause me problems with [shortness] of breath.'