Latest fromTauranga

Kai Co-op plan to address poverty and 'cut out the middle man'
'It is about addressing the duopoly that the supermarkets have.'

Flooding and slips throughout Bay of Plenty, 'more rain on the way'
Flooding was reported in Maketu, Paengaroa and Pikowai.

Revealed: The suburbs where everyone selling their home made a profit
First-quarter data also shows some sellers made hundreds of thousands.

Western Bay ratepayers face 7.04 per cent average rates increase
It comes as the council plans to upgrade "key community facilities".

Business Digest: How Ngāti Whakaue is supporting its entrepreneurs
Got business news? Email zoe.hunter@nzme.co.nz

Chamber boss: Businesses say no to more tolling
Opinion: People want their existing transport user fees and taxes spent more wisely.

Lightning strike leaves hundreds without power in Bay of Plenty
The estimated restoration time for power returning is 4.45pm.

Weather: Heavy rain watch in place as forecast predicts wet week ahead
Tauranga Airport recorded 83mm of rain in 48 hours.

Convicted architectural designer gets building licence back - and faces fresh complaint
His history of fines, suspensions and cancellations is not listed on the public register.

'Home will be so empty': Partner's tribute to league player who died after on-field injury
Officials are investigating the 'tragic incident'.

Tauranga Police appeal for help to find man who fled crash and may have jumped into estuary
The man has not been found and police are appealing for help.

Lonely? How to make a new best friend in adulthood
While you can ask someone, “Are you single?”, there's no question, “Are you friended?”

'The lost, the lonely, the battered, and the bruised': The man fixing broken people
Poverty in Paradise: The team that takes on 'those who are in the too-hard basket'.

From tailgating to trailblazing: The ultimate traffic hack for commuters
Opinion: Say goodbye to congestion - a solution to New Zealand's traffic woes.

Local Focus: Backyards in front line to making BoP predator free
The battle to bring native birds back to our backyards has begun.

300 new homes: Council to review revised plans for Bethlehem reserve
Parau Farms is still seen as necessary to help address the city's 'critical' shortage.

'Stranger danger': Man throws lollipops to 'frantic' primary school children
'This situation is being taken completely seriously,' Pāpāmoa Primary's principal says.

BOP and Waikato's best new architecture projects celebrated
21 projects were winners on the night.

'We were not out-manned': District Commander defends police in Ōpōtiki
Hundreds of motorbikes, cars, utes and vans descended on Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki.

'Doting father' critically injured in rugby league match 'won't recover'
Partner 'utterly broken, torn in two'; Officials investigate 'tragic incident'.

PM says ‘gangs contribute nothing to society', gunshots reported in Whakatāne
Mongrel Mob Barbarians president Steven Taiatini was killed on Friday in Ōpōtiki.

Opinion: People hiding from gangsters in chillers - how did it come to this?
Someone has to take responsibility for antisocial behaviour in CBDs.

Ōpōtiki Mongrel Mob procession: Police vow to impound vehicles, issue fines, charge drivers
Mongrel Mob Barbarians president Steven Taiatini was killed on Friday in Ōpōtiki.

Gang leader killed: 50 extra police sent to Ōpōtiki ahead of funeral
'We’re taking due precautions to have the resources in the right place if they’re needed.'

Demolition job: Replacement retirement village to feature four-storey complex
Meet the 81-year-old resident who was at the digger controls when demolition began.

Simple steps to make winter healthier and avoid system overload
Opinion: What Kiwis need to know to stay healthy with winter illnesses on the rise.

'Voiceless': Man shares mental health struggle as Nats call for dedicated minister
'It was only when I was at my very lowest I was actually able to get help.'

Bay buses to be free for anyone 18 or under from next month
Regional councillors were divided over which option to select.

Subscriber views: Kiwis moving to Australia should beware 'rose-tinted glasses'
OPINION: Subscribers have their say.