Latest fromTauranga

What to expect at Baycourt’s must-see jazz festival events
Steely DNA, a nine-piece band, will perform a Steely Dan tribute at the festival.

‘Did it his way’: Jim Smylie, prominent businessman and car enthusiast, dies at 79
In 1989, Smylie founded Western Bay Finance, which quickly gained local investor support.

‘Tragic irony’: Ex prison officer who worked in sex offenders unit convicted of child rape
Shane Clayden was a custodial officer in a sexual offenders unit. Now he's an inmate.

Music event companies put in liquidation, ‘gutted’ ticketholder fears for refund
The Timeless Summer Tour has been cancelled three months after being postponed.

‘Never intended’: School lunch that burned student wrongly reheated in oven
A Bay of Plenty school reported lunches arriving so hot that containers exploded.

Why tree removal in Greerton has left locals feeling uprooted
“I feel really, really sad. It’s taken character away."

Rising stars: Young riders shine at Rotorua’s Whip Off Champs
Day three began at 6am with pump track events for the Under 15s title.

Local water services: Should Rotorua go it alone?
Options include an in-house model or partnering with other councils.

15 boats damaged in marina fire, cause under investigation
Four boats, including a yacht, were moved to the hard deck due to damage.

News in brief: New public transport fare system
Rotorua news snippets: Māori circus theatre, new bus fare system, new regional flights.

Western Bay Community Awards finalists announced
Find out who's in the running for an award.

Opinion: The truth behind the ‘best 10 days’ myth in investing
Avoiding the worst 10 days would grow $10,000 to nearly $550,000.

Revealed: Hottest place in the country for third month in a row
The region boasts both the hottest and wettest weather for February.

'Disgraceful': Ratepayers pick up $5m waterfront playground bill
The NZ Taxpayers Union breaks down the costs for the Tauranga destination playground.

‘Prime land’: University strikes $1.38m deal to lease public reserve for 99 years
It plans to build a marine research and education facility.

Society Insider: Pitt’s NZ hideaway; millionaire’s BFF turns flatmate; Pals founder’s superyacht proposal
Plus, Wilhelmina Shrimpton and Ben O'Keeffe celebrate their engagement.

Man allegedly takes Tauranga McDonald’s worker hostage at ‘gunpoint’
The man allegedly took the worker outside with something held against his neck.

Pyes Pa Road reduced to one lane after crash, minor injuries reported
'A car hit a bank and the driver sustained minor to moderate injuries,' police said.

Thunder on track: Motorsport park planned
Details of a new motorsport and driver training facility have been revealed.

Canterbury Rams appoint 26-year-old head coach in quest for three-peat
Quinn Clinton ready to embrace challenge and knows other teams will be gunning for them.

Early morning blaze at Tauranga Marina destroys two boats
Five fire trucks and three support vehicles attended the scene.