From the Editor

I am amongst those who are amazed that the US seems incapable of taking any concrete action to stem the appalling flow of mass shootings in that country.

I am reluctant to revisit past editorial subjects – especially as there are always plenty of new goings-on that are of interest to our local business readers. However, our annual Anzac Day remembrance day has coincided, sadly, with the continuing contemporary devastation of the Ukraine by Russia. Anzac Day remains for New Zealanders and Australians a solemn and tragic memory...

As the editor of a monthly newspaper, I am always cautious when it comes to venturing an editorial opinion on a hot political topic when it may no longer prove to be one a few weeks after publication. But I can no longer remain silent about the travesty of war being wreaked by the Russian leadership upon their sovereign...

These are strange times. We are all grappling with the niceties of the government’s new “traffic light” regulations, and we have seen a small but determined group of anti-vaxxers proclaiming their freedom to basically do whatever they like. The major event of the past few weeks has centred on Parliament grounds in Wellington. As we went to press, the fracas...

We are delighted to kick off our first issue published in 2022 with a cover story that focuses on the tremendous contribution made by women to the Bay of Plenty business community. All details are on pages 10 to 16, including our cover story on Tidal Yachting, based at the Marine Hub near Tauranga’s Sulphur Point. It is gratifying...

We are delighted to share with you our first issue of 2022. As is our custom, we closed this January edition just before Christmas to meet the needs of our printers. We would like to thank our readers and advertisers for their loyal support as we enter our sixth year as an independent business publication dedicated to covering the interests...

It is with considerable pride that Bay of Plenty Business News brings you our Christmas edition as we move toward six years of successful print and digital publishing. Perhaps only those of us with long experience in the publications’ business can appreciate what a success this is for an independent newspaper. We owe a great vote of thanks to our...

One of the interesting reveals of our cover story this month on the region’s housing shortage woes, to me, was that I had not realised to quite what extent the region has been victim of its own success.

The current furore over our neighbour’s decision to opt for US-backed technology for its new submarine fleet has brought to mind how lucky in some ways we are in New Zealand. For many of the journalists who reported on David Lange’s final trip through Asia back in the day, there was always a suspicion that, although he was a very...

We are delighted to celebrate in this month’s cover story the continuing strength of Trustpower Baypark Arena as the imposing landmark celebrates its 10th year as an entity. It hasn’t been easy for the management and staff, especially in the past year or so as the organisation has grappled with the consequences of Covid-19 and the difficulty of forward planning...

I wasn’t a 100 per cent advocate of the plan to turn over Tauranga Council control to the four government-appointed commissioners, led by former National MP Anne Tolley. And I remain sceptical they will finish their job and get out of town under their announced timetable.

Tauranga is going through some strange times as the city adjusts to life under the new leadership of its four commissioners, led by Anne Tolley (see page 11 for more details of the new lineup). While many resented the new lineup, there seems little affection for the ousted councillors, who are generally seen to have failed to live up to...

As a monthly newspaper we don’t usually delve into stories that are likely to be rapidly changing before we go to print. But given the focus of our issue this month is on developments in hi-tech, the problems bedevilling our close neighbours in Waikato did catch our eye. In addition, members of our staff have been personally disrupted by the...

We are delighted to feature additional comment in this issue on the subject of the special commissioners newly appointed by central government to replace the former Tauranga City Council. At the moment, the commissioners are wrestling with coming up with a Long Term Plan, which will almost inevitably see rates rise in the city. It remains to be seen how this...

It was good to see Tauranga economic development agency Priority One offer a congratulatory boost in March to the newly appointed commissioners who are currently leading the city. "The newly appointed Tauranga City Council Commission has made a number of key decisions for the city,” said Priority One in a recent statement. “These decisions include a $20 million investment to overhaul...

Tauranga is about to enter one of the most interesting phases of local governance for the city. As we are all aware, late last year the Tauranga City Council and mayor Tenby Powell were essentially dissolved. Despite protestations from some councillors, the central government was happy to begin again. By the end of February the new look council has been...