The desire for a lifestyle change brought top international commercial lawyer Ken Hawkes back home to Tauranga after 17 years based in Singapore.

Rotorua properties are selling fast, with figures for August sales revealing more than double the number sold compared to August last year.

The Rotorua Chamber of Commerce has come out in support of a proposed polytechnic merger, saying "more choice in more locations" was a big positive for students.

About 100 Australian travel agents are experiencing Rotorua's hottest spots as part of a three-day visit to the city.

Craig Muir relocated to the Bay of Plenty in 2013 after a nomadic career working for a company that took him from New Zealand to Europe and North America.

Entrepreneur Diane Foreman will be speaking in Rotorua on Wednesday.

Our picture-postcard hot springs aren't just natural treasures - they're also treasure chests laden with silver and gold, scientists say.