Latest from Tauranga

Tauranga and Western Bay in NZ top three for economic growth
The two Bay of Plenty districts joined Queenstown to become NZ's fastest-growing areas.

Dawn Picken: Saddened but not surprised by sexual assault report
Opinion: It's hard to deal with despicable behaviour happening under our noses.

'I sing every day from dawn to dusk': Talented teen hits new high
He got into choir singing by accident. Now he sings with New Zealand's best.

'Luck of the gods': 106-year-old shares secrets to her long, interesting life
She is celebrating 106 this Saturday.

Hospitals bring in more beds as cases of 'highly contagious' RSV illness rise
Children as young as 10 days old are being admitted to hospital with the virus.

Which new sporting code has been added to 2022 AIMS Games?
The 2021 Anchor AIMS Games will run from September 4-10.

Jo Raphael: Healthy homes should be a given
OPINION: Cold, unhealthy homes should be a thing of the past with new rules.

'Bank robbery': Pensioner locked out of her $150k life savings
"The impact of this on my family has been devastating."

Local Focus: Free bus rides for permanently impaired passengers
Accessibility Concession goes live for buses in the Bay. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

New ratepayers' group takes aim at 'outrageous' rates rises
The group said rate increases would make Tauranga unaffordable for current residents.

Three waters reform: How Bay of Plenty rates could be impacted
Proposed reform has support from some who say it reflects underinvestment 'by many'.

We've bin waiting: What you need to know as new kerbside collections begin
Residents can check their rubbish collection day on the council website.

Cellphone stopped first bullet police fired at Mike Taylor - Forensic expert
Michael Taylor was shot by police three times.

Letters: 'Irresponsible' central govt letting us down on roads
Our readers have their say.

Jo Raphael: Bubble risk-takers shouldn't complain
OPINION: The transtasman bubble was always a case of "flyer-beware".

Fatal crushing: Inquest spotlight on faulty safety sensors
'We were all affected by what happened.'

'Severely traumatised': Meth use at home having 'devastating' impact on kids - foster carers
Half of all reports to Oranga Tamariki are related to meth.

Impact of rates collection switch remains a mystery for some councils
The move means less money for district councils.

Emma Houpt: Should suburb be called Merivale or Parkvale?
Opinion: The NZ Geographic Board has never recorded this suburb's name as Merivale.

'Tell them to bring their guns': Details of fatal police shooting revealed
A coroner's inquest is under way after a man was shot and killed by police in 2016.

Tauranga water restrictions lifted
A ban on the use of irrigation systems and sprinklers was put in place on December 23.

New community centre to be a 'beacon of hope and optimism' for Merivale
The new community centre will be built by December 2022.

'It has only ever been the kids': Youth worker inspired by Merivale community
Rachael Wilson has been working at the community centre for two years.

Jo Raphael: Teach children early on about the value of saving
OPINION: Buy now, pay later can be convenient, but don't let it get out of hand.

All you need to know: Western BOP kerbside rubbish and recycling collection
Almost 17,500 eligible households received new bins

'Accident waiting to happen': Residents share concerns on new bins
Residents believe bins are too large and there is insufficient kerb space for all bins.

Which five Tauranga suburbs have a median value under $700,000?
CoreLogic: Only five suburbs in Tauranga now had a median value of less than $700,000

Colder than the North Pole: Antarctic blast nearing NZ
Here's what you need to know about the regions and roads forecast to be worst-hit.

Bay principals grapple with increase of students vaping
Vaping is becoming an increasing problem for Bay of Plenty schools, principals say.