John is a senior reporter at the Bay of Plenty Times
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Not all plain sailing for this young leader
Years of speech therapy is paying dividends for 11-year-old Lucia McCormick of Tauranga.
Bold vision for prime Tauranga waterfront
Demolition of old buildings removes another step to Dive Cres redevelopment.
Tauranga's fight for its own 'Eat Street' dining precinct
Turning Wharf St from a caterpillar into a butterfly has received overwhelming support.
Demolition creates carparks in Tauranga's fringe CBD
Demolishing old buildings in Dive Cres will take some of the pressure off CBD parking.
Tauranga foreshore walkway a step closer
A foreshore walkway linking into Tauranga's CBD is back in contention.
New horizon for Tauranga's blues music community
Getting down and dirty with the blues is about to get a new backdrop in Tauranga.
Horseback protest against Bay harbour ban
Nearly 2000 signatures have been collected for a petition to keep Tuapiro horse-friendly.
Petition delivered to council on horseback
Protestors on horseback deliver a petition to the council
Urban-rural battle looming among councillors
The regional council's representation review shows an emerging urban/rural split.
The Elms given artistic makeover
The rooms in The Elms are being transformed into artistic statements.
Tauranga risks being under-represented on region
Rules controlling representation could be broken on the Bay's regional council.
CBD needs new visitor attractions - report
Apartments and tourism are seen as major focuses to increase vibrancy in the CBD.
History defines Papamoa's boundary
There are different strokes for different folks when it comes to lines on maps.
Researching family history becomes addictive
Delving into family histories gives people a sense of identity, says genealogist.
Pension wrangle upsets retired mechanic
A Tauranga man feels unfairly penalised at being forced to apply for the Danish pension.
Riding the waves to a new life
Krista Davis' vision is growing into a worldwide surfing movement
Tauranga long-line fishing bylaw challenged
Proposed new powers to control long-line fishing have been challenged.
Tauranga's $99m pipeline on home stretch
Noise reduction is a focus as the Southern Pipeline hits the 24-hour construction phase.
Lifeline offered to keep community gym open at Papamoa
Clubfit gym at Papamoa could remain open if the financials can be made to stack up.
New Tauranga site mooted for university research centre
Pressure from boaties leads to shifting the site for a university development.
Final push to save community gym
Closure of a little community gym at Papamoa has sparked protests from members.
Lights create magic Tauranga waterfront
Winter blues were blown away by an interactive lights festival on the waterfront.
Middle-aged bikie club not too disgraceful
Ulysses motorcyclists enjoy raising money and talking a bit of nonsense.
Welcome Bay commuters will suffer in rehash
A huge increase in traffic using Welcome Bay's underpass is predicted from road changes.
'Uncomfortable' about reward for info on paedophiles
Paedophile victim reward offer sparks warning it could complicate police investigation.
Bahama Hut owner challenged
A claimed memory lapse has helped make the case not to renew a Tauranga liquor licence.
Bahama Hut battles to stay open
Threatened Tauranga nightclub the Bahama Hut has come under the licensing microscope.
Friendship clubs a boon for retirees
Tauranga's Friendship clubs motivating the elderly into action.
Dog finds seal's bark worse than his bite
Face-off between seal and dog ends with win for seal in Tauranga marina.
Police urge safety after Tauranga girls approached by men
Safety warnings have been issued by police after girls approached by men.
Teachers seek seismic shift in pay rates
A big improvement in teachers' pay is sought to avoid strike action.
World War II pilot reunited with Tiger Moth
History was made when an aircraft and its pilot teamed up for the first time in 75 years.
Tauranga dog owners hooked on agility
Tux Wonder Dogs helped build interest in Tauranga dog agility club
Tauranga gas main rupture forces evacuation
Properties have been evacuated after a digger punched a hole in a gas main.
Tauranga postie's last hurrah after 45 years
The postie who has seen it all has retired after 45 years delivering mail in Tauranga.
Tauranga racecourse a 'possibility' for housing
Tauranga's Crown-owned racecourse could accommodate a housing estate.
Zany village springing up in Tauranga downtown
A container village springing up in Tauranga's CBD is creating good vibes.
New life for Tauranga's Cargo Shed
Changes mean artists and craftspeople can hold exhibitions for short periods.
Rena wreck High Court appeal dismissed
The Rena is still grinding through the courts, seven years after hitting Astrolabe Reef.
Uni's Sulphur Point bid stirs opposition
Strong opposition has emerged to the preferred site for a university research centre.
Bay set to cash in on record cruise ship visits
A surge in cruise ship visits has been welcomed by the Bay's visitor industry.
Environment Court supports fishing ban on Astrolabe Reef
Three more marine reserves are proposed for the Bay of Plenty following a court appeal.
New club Hangarau Storm in action
Rugby league has been given a big boost in the Bay thanks to the efforts of two men.
Historians publish book on Gate Pa battle
A new book will offer a modern perspective on the Battle of Gate Pa 154 years ago.
Teens arrested after Tauranga dairy robbed
Weapons were used in a Sunday robbery of a Tauranga dairy.
Much admired judge farewelled today
Humility and wisdom were the hallmarks of Tauranga judge Robert (Bob) Wolff.
Introducing's NZ's first plug-in electric boat
Sean Kelly's all-electric boat could be the shape of things to come.
Tauranga celebration of kiwi song and dance legend
A big turnout is expected on Saturday to celebrate the life of Pat McMinn.
Principals fight back against poverty
Statistics have confirmed the link between poverty and more deaths among children.
Church to revisit wrongs inflicted on Tauranga Maori
Anglicans are set to debate their role in a little-known chapter of Tauranga's history.
Bella Vista homeowners upset at being sidelined
Bella Vista homeowners are disappointed their opinions were not sought on report options.
Drug raid accused refuses to enter prison video booth
A further 20 arrests from the Kawerau police raids have been remanded in Tauranga Court.
More accused deny charges stemming from police raids
A fresh round of court appearances followed Eastern Bay police raids on March 27.
Three of 21 Bella Vista homes safe
Offers of support are pouring in for Bella Vista housing victims.
Puzzling encounter led to Anzac Day tradition
Doing a good turn for two women sparked an unsolved mystery at Pyes Pa Cemetery.
'Olde oars' relive rowing club successes
Tauranga Rowing Club has a proud history stretching back nearly 100 years.
Bold plan offers to replace 'rickety gangway' for cruise ships
Cruise ship passengers could benefit from a huge facelift to the port facility.
Big push for Maori seat on council
Western Bay Maori need wide ranging support to achieve their own council seat.
Popular Mauao summit track reopens at Mount Maunganui
Maintenance work has finished after 11 days on Mauao's Oruahine Track.
Couple bitter that unsafe Bella Vista house got council sign-off
Bella Vista collapse victims point finger at council building inspection processes.
Police seek Mazda sightings after Te Puke assault
The search has widened in the case of a woman who was seriously assaulted.
Home owners' heartbreak: 21 new builds declared dangerous
The news was all bad for the owners of 21 homes in the former Bella Vista development.
Funding plan floated to avoid Tauranga traffic chaos
A new way to loosen Government road funding purse strings has been proposed.
Sewage overflows blamed for swimming caution
Tauranga's Pilot Bay has received a surprise caution for swimming water quality.
Three Fs underpin success of Tauranga BMX Club
A relaxed fun atmosphere pervades Tauranga BMX Club's track in Cambridge Rd.
Caution urged for swimming at Pilot Bay
A cautionary swimming status has been put on Pilot Bay at Mount Maunganui.
Softly, softly as pipeline hits another snag
More problems have been encountered on the final leg of Tauranga's Southern Pipeline.
Ring-fenced rate opposed by Tauranga downtown resident
A rethink has been urged on how to pay for the cost to upgrade Tauranga's downtown.
Kaimai road tunnel sought by trucking industry
Tolls up to $30 a day on trucks could be levied to help pay for a Kaimais road tunnel.
Teacher gives road design lesson at SH2 intersection
A teacher has demanded answers to Omokoroa's ''disgraceful'' intersection.
Welcome Bay Bus lane on hold until underpass opens
Safety concerns has led to the postponement of a bus lane on Welcome Bay Rd.
SH2 campaigners park wreck outside council
A poignant message has been parked outside hearings to prioritise transport projects.
Anger at hearing on road priorities
Deep frustration with roading priorities has emerged in hearings taking place this week.
Isla, 8, appeals to City Hall
A little girl's concerns about her family's safety has spurred the council into action.
One-way system a step closer at Mount
Public feedback will be sought on a one-way system along the popular Pilot Bay beachfront.
Collectors turn farm junk into treasure
A love of vintage machinery has turned ''nutters'' into admired collectors.
Housing plan boosts hopes for college
Pressure is growing for a new college to serve Welcome Bay and Ohauiti students.
Bay Hopper jobs up in air
Tauranga bus drivers face an uncertain future after council contract negotiations.