Sandra Conchie is a Multimedia Journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times based in Tauranga.
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Retailers upbeat about the lead-up to Christmas
The comments come days after shoppers spent more than $11m over Black Friday.
'Everything looks brilliant': Tauranga's newest supermarket opens in Greerton
The former Woolworths store had a week-long makeover.
'Heartbreaking': Second Bay of Plenty horse death linked to fireworks
'My emotions are pretty up and down at the moment ... I'm trying to deal with it.'
'We expect a vast improvement': Decision on bar's licence renewal bid
There were concerns over inexperienced staff in charge and an alleged serious assault.
'Black Christmas': Devastated orchard owners count cost of fire
'It’s so sad because Christmas is coming and suddenly we have this. It’s unbelievable.'
Tauranga gang funerals: Police make 14 arrests and seize guns, vehicles
At one point, police were confronted by a kuia who criticised them for parking too close.
Dad describes evacuation as 'intense' wildfire threatened homes
Firefighters remain at the scene two days later dealing with flare-ups.
'Overwhelming public support': Calls for fireworks ban grow after horse's death
'The only thing keeping me going is trying to stay strong to fight for the ban': owner
Drink-driver who hit pedestrian fails to avoid conviction despite deportation fear
He was four times over the limit but initially claimed he only had 2 beers.
National hīkoi to descend on Rotorua
The hīkoi's purpose is to show unity against proposed policy changes.
'Fed up' neighbours say speed bumps cause 'mini earthquakes' in homes
Neighbours in Welcome Bay want speed bumps on their street gone.
'Soul-destroying trauma': Horse's 'brutal' injuries blamed on fireworks
The animal was euthanised after ripping through a wire fence.
Revealed: FreshChoice to open at site of closed Woolworths
An advocates for locals concerned about having no supermarket welcome the news.
28 people, 99 charges: All the names and details from massive Mob bust
Nearly 100 charges have been laid against 28 people.
Bars hope boost from Steamers' win 'bodes well' for long weekend
Steamers' historic run underlines support from some for a new stadium in central Tauranga.
Supermarket closure 'unbelievable', 'devastating' says shoppers
Woolworths NZ says the final day is yet to be finalised.
Mixed reaction as free period for alfresco dining fees extended
Tauranga City Council has extended the free outdoor dining period by six months.
New street dining fees labelled 'disrespectful' and 'outrageous'
New footpath rental costs rile bar and eaterie owners in Tauranga and Mount Maunganui.
Bad vibrations: Raised crossing ripped out, levelled after shaking complaints
Locals say council spending on the project has been wasteful.
Ship crewman seriously injured after being 'sent to dangerous area'
Accident report finds communication failures led to the offshore accident.
'A noose with your name': Man guilty of making Jacinda Ardern death threats
He represented himself in court with what the judge called 'legal gobbledygook'.
'Might kill someone': Landlord wants 'dangerous' protected tree, 150, removed
The council says the tree is monitored and maintained, and is not 'an urgent safety risk'.
Alleged vigilantes in court accused of assaults, posting harmful videos
One is also accused of claiming a person was on the child sex offenders register.
Funeral directors placed in liquidation owing $150,000
One creditor says the move is 'just and equitable'.
Bunnings to open $23m new Tauranga store after Mitre 10 turf war
The new hardware store will be 500m down the road from a competitor.
'Crash 4, Crash 4': Colleague's final moments with man crushed in conveyor belt
The fertiliser company admits it failed to ensure workers' safety.
'Horrific and extreme': Man found with child sex abuse images avoids jail
Criminal caught after a European law enforcement agency flagged online activity.
'Still many danger points': Cycleways funding plea after budget slashed
'This is one of the city’s most urgent needs.'
Woolworths strike: Bay of Plenty and Rotorua staff served suspension notices
Claims more than 40 Woolworths staff in Bay were issued suspension notices.
Bay Woolworths staff walk off jobs to protest wages, staffing levels
Some staff can't afford to shop where they work, a delegate says.
Devastated Tauranga mum remembers 'precious son' killed in Kaimāī Range crash
'He had so much potential and never got the chance to see any of that come to fruition.'
'Highly careless or even negligent': Farm manager fined $52k for effluent pollution
An experienced Bay of Plenty farm manager has been fined for illegal effluent discharge.
Boating companies in liquidation owing IRD $1.5m in unpaid taxes
The businesses owe unpaid taxes and loans, according to the IRD's statements of claim.
Man accused of violent attack fights extradition to Australia
He is accused of attacking a man at a hospital.
'I can rent it to anyone I want': Builder censured for letting tenants live in shed
Board says the Bay of Plenty builder showed a 'disregard for regulation'.
Alleged vigilantes in court accused of filming and posting assaults
One is accused of claiming a person was on the child sex offenders register.
'A good guy': Long-serving lawyer and coroner's 'immense' service remembered
'A doer rather than a talker, and our community owes him a huge debt of gratitude'
Digger operator deaths: Forestry industry issued with fatality alert
Two digger operators died at work within 10 days in July.
'Traffic hazard': Residents, road users demand safety barriers be removed
People have spoken out, saying the concrete separators do more harm than good.
'Murder': 64 chickens slain, council hunt killer dogs
“That’s what this is - the murder of my defenceless poor chickens by killer dogs."
Cancer, landslide, crash: Injured forklift driver's 'hellish' years
The Mount Maunganui man says he is still 'so thankful' despite his harsh experiences.
'We all tried to lift': Witnesses rush to help driver 'pinned' under forklift
'I don’t think I have ever heard someone scream like this in my life before.'
Rolled forklift: Person taken to hospital after getting trapped
Crews were sent to an address about 11.49am.
Digger operator who died in Kaingaroa Forest incident named
WorkSafe is investigating the Ōpōtiki man's death on Wednesday.
WorkSafe investigates digger driver's 'tragic' death in Kaingaroa Forest
Work at the forestry processing site has been suspended since Wednesday.
11th person denies murdering Tauranga father ahead of trial
A jury trial is set for early September.
'Dirty water': Kiwifruit orchard earthworks contaminate stream
Three Bay of Plenty companies have been fined for earthwork consent breaches.
Family feud: Olympian clashes with uncle in Tauranga mayoral race
Owens claims his Olympic champ nephew is a 'patsy pawn' for a property group.
Judge grants powers to sell 'idyllic' properties occupied by gangster
Mongrel Mob senior figure refuses to obey court orders to leave waterfront properties.
'Obviously deliberate': Landlords illegally piped human waste to riverside drain
The offending continued for nearly four years despite orders to stop.
How you can support Tauranga baker's next Ukraine 'tour of duty'
'Help is needed more than ever.'
139 jobs lost as mussel processing plant in Tauranga set to close
The joint venture is 'unable to profitably process mussels in Tauranga'.
Dame Susan Devoy one of first inductees into PSA Hall of Fame
Devoy was born in Rotorua and lives in Tauranga.
'No blood on my hands': Man accused of Ardern death threat faces trial
Judge-alone trial date set for BOP man rearrested 20 months after warrant issued.
'Significant hazard’: Crashes involving roaming livestock on the rise
Police are urging livestock owners to secure their fences after a spate of crashes.
Dentist hit by drink-driver metres from his door describes 'huge toll'
'My next memory was waking up on the road in a haze with blood running down my face.'
'Underwhelmed': What Tauranga locals and leaders say on Budget 2024
One mum says Govt must do more to reduce inflation and offset the high living costs.
Virtues of a 'simple, peaceful life' marked on 100th birthday
Her secret to longevity? No smoking or drinking plus lots of fruit, veges and family time.
Decent tax cuts, affordable groceries: What young family wants from Budget
'We are paying too much tax and the cost of living... is going up all the time.'
Three people taken to hospital after tractor and car collide
The road was closed due to debris and an oil spill.
Mount Maunganui assault accused appears in court
Police said a man with torso injuries was recovering in hospital.
Boatie plucked from dinghy after abandoning burning boat
A man was found in a rubber dinghy after abandoning a burning boat.
'Pretty skilled gardener': Mother of eight busted for growing 300 cannabis plants
Woman had all the necessary equipment to 'grow cannabis discreetly', police say.
'Taking the p**s': Charity boss hits out at op shop rubbish dumpers
Frequent clean-ups of soiled goods and rubbish are taking a toll on store team members.
Teen accused of stabbing girl at Bayfair enters plea in Youth Court
The incident left the victim with deep cuts to her abdomen.
'Shocked and horrified': Pet owner fearful after second cat shot in area
'We fear the person responsible for these two shootings could strike again if not caught.'
Teen mall stabbing accused in court - police allegations revealed
The victim of the alleged incident remains in hospital.
Dog latches on to pig's throat in public reserve, teens rush to help
Authorities are looking for the injured pig and advise people to avoid it.
'Disgusted': Destiny Church member jailed for stealing $377k from employer
'She was a good actor who portrayed herself as a good Christian woman.'
Three arrested after vape store burglary
The store manager says the burglary was 'shocking and upsetting'.
Outrage as 'friendly' pig chased by dogs in park as owners look on
A Welcome resident says a wild boar released into Johnson Reserve was harrassed by two dog
'Very strong' rip at beach where man died evading police
'It must have been a terrifying experience for this man.'
Facial recognition: Mum's 'horrible' mistaken identity ordeal at New World
The supermarket says it was a 'genuine case of human error'.
Identity of man who denies murdering Mob boss revealed
A trial date has been set for 2025.