Sonya is an assistant news director for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post
Sonya Bateson is a writer, reader, and crafter raising her family in Tauranga. She is a millennial who enjoys eating avocado on toast, drinking lattes and defying stereotypes. As a sceptic, she reserves the right to change her mind when presented with new evidence.
![‘It messed me up a little’: Adoptee’s heartbreaking hunt for birth family](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
‘It messed me up a little’: Adoptee’s heartbreaking hunt for birth family
'It’s almost like I was reborn again, like I discovered who I was all over again.'
![‘I would go home and not sleep’: How police cope with crash trauma](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
‘I would go home and not sleep’: How police cope with crash trauma
Once they were expected to 'harden', or have a beer - now there are better ways.
![‘I try not to look at their face’: How firefighters cope with the trauma of car crashes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
‘I try not to look at their face’: How firefighters cope with the trauma of car crashes
'Even if we forget the faces, we remember when we drive by'
!['Time the city progressed': Ten projects set to transform Tauranga's waterfront](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Time the city progressed': Ten projects set to transform Tauranga's waterfront
How they will help rejuvenate the city centre.
![12-year high: The region catching 50+ drink drivers a week](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
12-year high: The region catching 50+ drink drivers a week
Police are shocked by how severely intoxicated some drivers are.
![Growth, age, diversity: 5 Census takeaways for Tauranga and Western Bay](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Growth, age, diversity: 5 Census takeaways for Tauranga and Western Bay
How our demographic makeup is changing.
![Boatie plucked from dinghy after abandoning burning boat](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Boatie plucked from dinghy after abandoning burning boat
A man was found in a rubber dinghy after abandoning a burning boat.
![Fines and debt collectors: Car parkers stung at shopping centres](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Fines and debt collectors: Car parkers stung at shopping centres
'I fought for two weeks to get it sorted and kept getting the run-around.'
!['Unmanageable': Principal blasts Govt 'overstepping' with phone ban](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Unmanageable': Principal blasts Govt 'overstepping' with phone ban
He describes the blanket ban as 'another step into central government control'.
![Rest home owner and staff told to apologise to family of man who died after a fall](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Rest home owner and staff told to apologise to family of man who died after a fall
The man had a fall inside the rest home and died two weeks later.
![Why Tauranga could see a 'significant drop' in cruise visits next season](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Why Tauranga could see a 'significant drop' in cruise visits next season
Increased operating costs in New Zealand among reasons for predicted drop in bookings.
![Memorial Park fountain gets $100k upgrade](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Memorial Park fountain gets $100k upgrade
The fountain is undergoing work to make it safer.
![First look: Inside the luxury new Tauranga apartments luring Aucklanders](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
First look: Inside the luxury new Tauranga apartments luring Aucklanders
The scale of the mixed-use development is likened to Singapore or Melbourne offerings.
![Boarding house ordered to pay $37k for removing hot water taps, lack of heating](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Boarding house ordered to pay $37k for removing hot water taps, lack of heating
Edgecumbe House did not comply with healthy homes rules and a range of other regulations.
![Opinion: Social media scammers have me longing for the old days](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Opinion: Social media scammers have me longing for the old days
OPINION: Bad buyers and sellers online are tricky and can fool the best of us.
![Opinion: Housing crisis is a disaster so why is there little empathy for its victims?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Opinion: Housing crisis is a disaster so why is there little empathy for its victims?
Opinion: 'It’s absolutely disgusting that our country has such a severe housing problem.'
![Opinion: Penalise teen criminals - but do it this way](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Opinion: Penalise teen criminals - but do it this way
Opinion: Do you remember your teenage years?
![Sonya Bateson: The kind of 'free ride' we should give jobseekers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson: The kind of 'free ride' we should give jobseekers
OPINION: The 'free ride' for beneficiaries is over, according to PM.
![Opinion: Prosecuting homeless beggars seems pointless](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Opinion: Prosecuting homeless beggars seems pointless
Opinion: "Being poor should not be a crime."
![Sonya Bateson: Being a grandparent is a privilege, not a right](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson: Being a grandparent is a privilege, not a right
OPINION: A lot of conflict arises between modern parents and grandparents.
![Food prices should be lower - despite extreme weather](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Food prices should be lower - despite extreme weather
OPINION: I thought fruit was supposed to get cheaper in the summer.
![Sonya Bateson: I think schooling should be free. All of it](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson: I think schooling should be free. All of it
Opinion: We all want what’s best for our children, regardless of our financial position.
![Marriage is on a downward trend and here’s why](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Marriage is on a downward trend and here’s why
Opinion: Who wants to be resentful and unhappy?
![Opinion: What to do when you see a shark](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Opinion: What to do when you see a shark
'Bronzies are one thing but great whites are quite a different kettle of fish'.
![Sonya Bateson: Now's the perfect time to start building good habits](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson: Now's the perfect time to start building good habits
OPINION: New Year’s resolutions aren’t for everyone.
![It's okay to say 'no' this Christmas](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
It's okay to say 'no' this Christmas
OPINION: Putting on a happy face for family and friends can feel like a mammoth task.
![Opinion: Stop treating renters like naughty children](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Opinion: Stop treating renters like naughty children
Opinion: Being a renter is an expensive and stressful business.
![How the Mount's wild New Year's Eves were tamed — and what was learned](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
How the Mount's wild New Year's Eves were tamed — and what was learned
OPINION: Teens and young adults used to come from all over to get drunk.
![Why being poor costs more - foodbanks need our support](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Why being poor costs more - foodbanks need our support
OPINION: The cost-of-living crisis has turned a hard situation into an impossible one.
![Opinion: I might complain a lot but I wouldn’t live anywhere else](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Opinion: I might complain a lot but I wouldn’t live anywhere else
Opinion: I may rag on this place from time to time, but I truly love it here.
![Opinion: People shouldn't have to put up and shut up](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Opinion: People shouldn't have to put up and shut up
OPINION: We share our experiences because we want our experiences and fears to be heard.
!['Once it’s gone, it’s gone': The risks of cities sprawling into farmland](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Once it’s gone, it’s gone': The risks of cities sprawling into farmland
OPINION: Yes, we need houses, but productive land is a precious and finite resource.
![Why saying ‘I saw it on TikTok’ just doesn’t cut it](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Why saying ‘I saw it on TikTok’ just doesn’t cut it
OPINION: It's the internet-age equivalent of 'Aunty Margaret’s sister-in-law ... said'.
![Pricey GP visits, long waits lead to 'ridiculous use of hospital resources'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Pricey GP visits, long waits lead to 'ridiculous use of hospital resources'
Opinion: Every day I am amazed at how people worse off than me manage to get by.
![Sonya Bateson: Labour’s downfall was not rocking the boat](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson: Labour’s downfall was not rocking the boat
OPINION: It felt more like the Labour government took a “hold on and wait” approach.
![Sonya Bateson: Wear what you want on polling day... just be there](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson: Wear what you want on polling day... just be there
OPINION: Do you remember your first voting day? I remember mine clearly.
![Sonya Bateson: Life is about to get harder for low-wage workers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson: Life is about to get harder for low-wage workers
OPINION: Paid parking zones are going to cover an extended area.
![Sonya Bateson: Impoverished children of today are adults of tomorrow](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson: Impoverished children of today are adults of tomorrow
OPINION: Society will suffer if we let our children be deprived of a good future.
![Opinion: Why paying for parking won't kill this popular Bay spot](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Opinion: Why paying for parking won't kill this popular Bay spot
OPINION: I don’t think the Mount is going to face a shortage of visitors.
![Opinion: Gifts, compliments and lovey-dovey text messages can be signs of an abuser](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Opinion: Gifts, compliments and lovey-dovey text messages can be signs of an abuser
OPINION: I’m a relationship forum addict.
![Opinion: Mind boggling how dental care is not part of health system](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Opinion: Mind boggling how dental care is not part of health system
OPINION: Our teeth are important. Let’s treat them that way.
![Sonya Bateson: Fresh trauma deserves the most recognition in our justice system](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson: Fresh trauma deserves the most recognition in our justice system
Opinion: The sentence discounts for cultural reports should be far smaller.
![Sonya Bateson: Cutting GST on fruit and veg sounds good but leaves a bad taste](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson: Cutting GST on fruit and veg sounds good but leaves a bad taste
Opinion: It turns out that affordable fruit and vegetables make a good election bribe.
![Sonya Bateson on housing: Desperate times call for desperate measures](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson on housing: Desperate times call for desperate measures
OPINION: Ngāi Te Rangi's plans seem a neat solution.
![Sonya Bateson: Our city centre is grim. We need change, progress and personality](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson: Our city centre is grim. We need change, progress and personality
Opinion: The chance to build something great is a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
![Opinion: If you can’t afford to buy now – then you probably shouldn’t](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Opinion: If you can’t afford to buy now – then you probably shouldn’t
Opinion: There’s more pressure on tight budgets in winter.
![Sonya Bateson: Parents hunting for bargains on kids toys face tough choices](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson: Parents hunting for bargains on kids toys face tough choices
Opinion: "I do have twinges of guilt for buying from these websites."
![Opinion: Get over it nimbys, these works need to happen](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Opinion: Get over it nimbys, these works need to happen
Opinion: We can’t put progress off forever. Eventually, the bill always comes due.
![Opinion: Our kids should not be guinea pigs for vaping](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Opinion: Our kids should not be guinea pigs for vaping
Opinion: We don’t know the full impact of vaping’s health impacts yet.
![Opinion: Deliberately misnaming, misgendering people is cruel and inhumane](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Opinion: Deliberately misnaming, misgendering people is cruel and inhumane
OPINION: Identity change has always been a thing - even in the good old days.
![Opinion: Why evicting unruly state tenants is not the answer](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Opinion: Why evicting unruly state tenants is not the answer
OPINION: Kicking unruly tenants out is going to have its own implications for society.
![Opinion: Supermarket body cameras must not be misused](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Opinion: Supermarket body cameras must not be misused
Opinion: I believe there’s a line to be drawn here.
![Sonya Bateson: Bilingual signs issue an opportunity to recalibrate on racism](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson: Bilingual signs issue an opportunity to recalibrate on racism
Opinion: Each of us will have our own thresholds for perceiving what is offensive.
![Opinion: Poverty is a circumstance - not a character flaw](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Opinion: Poverty is a circumstance - not a character flaw
Opinion: "It’s a cycle. A trap. And one that is incredibly difficult to escape."
![Opinion: Why I'm only slightly surprised by this Budget](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Opinion: Why I'm only slightly surprised by this Budget
OPINION: The announcement I'm most interested in - for selfish reasons.
![Opinion: Why the toll road price hikes really grind my gears](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Opinion: Why the toll road price hikes really grind my gears
OPINION: If I’m paying to drive on a road, I want the option of being able to safely pass.
![Sonya Bateson: My view on whether we should build the controversial stadium](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson: My view on whether we should build the controversial stadium
Opinion: I like the idea - but I also cherish our parks and green spaces.
![Joy, fear and long hours: Why the people in this job are some of the hardest workers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Joy, fear and long hours: Why the people in this job are some of the hardest workers
Opinion: Midwifery is a hard job - I couldn't do it.
![Sonya Bateson: Anything on our phones can be used against us](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson: Anything on our phones can be used against us
OPINION: It’s not fair to shame people that fall victim to scam artists and predators.
![Sonya Bateson: How dare I suggest introducing a fee for a public space, right?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson: How dare I suggest introducing a fee for a public space, right?
OPINION: I can feel the anger of some letter writers and social media commenters already.
![Opinion: 'I felt like dirt. Low. Worthless.' Why horrid customers are the memorable ones](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Opinion: 'I felt like dirt. Low. Worthless.' Why horrid customers are the memorable ones
OPINION: Make low-wage jobs more attractive by being nicer.
![Sonya Bateson: My tips to save money during the cost of living crisis](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson: My tips to save money during the cost of living crisis
OPINION: Hands up if you’re feeling the pinch of the cost of living.
![Sonya Bateson: Park punt on racecourse worth taking](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson: Park punt on racecourse worth taking
OPINION: Green spaces are good for our city's health.
![Sonya Bateson: Drag performance for children just cute, wholesome fun](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson: Drag performance for children just cute, wholesome fun
OPINION: Dressing up can be magical.
![Opinion: Our already anxious country is about to come under a lot more pressure](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Opinion: Our already anxious country is about to come under a lot more pressure
OPINION: We will do what we can to get through this hard time together.
![Sonya Bateson: Social media - we can’t live with it; we can’t live without it](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson: Social media - we can’t live with it; we can’t live without it
OPINION: I hate social media.
![Sonya Bateson: Why is tipping rearing its ugly head in our society?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson: Why is tipping rearing its ugly head in our society?
OPINION: 'Now I fear that tipping is creeping more and more into everyday life.'
![Sonya Bateson: Expensive school uniforms a yoke around parents’ necks](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson: Expensive school uniforms a yoke around parents’ necks
OPINION: If we got rid of uniforms, we could see hand-me-downs back in the schoolyard.
![Sonya Bateson: Your son wants to play with dolls? Let him](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson: Your son wants to play with dolls? Let him
OPINION: My boy can play with whatever (age-appropriate) toys he wants.
![Sonya Bateson: Where’s the plan to combat a looming recession?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson: Where’s the plan to combat a looming recession?
OPINION: I found myself investigating how to make reusable toilet paper this week.
![Sonya Bateson: ‘Uniqueness’ is the name of the game](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson: ‘Uniqueness’ is the name of the game
OPINION: That's my name, don't wear it out.
![Sonya Bateson: Respect the power of the ocean](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson: Respect the power of the ocean
Opinion: Suddenly, I felt myself being dragged out to sea. It all happened so fast.
![Sonya Bateson: Christmas is a time to cherish family and home](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson: Christmas is a time to cherish family and home
OPINION: Home is where your family is.
![Sonya Bateson: Fines should be based on a person’s income](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson: Fines should be based on a person’s income
OPINION: Fines are not fine when they target low-income people.
![Sonya Bateson: Stop giving gifts that are meaningless and wasteful](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson: Stop giving gifts that are meaningless and wasteful
OPINION: What we choose to give the people we love and appreciate should spark joy.
![Sonya Bateson: Rising one culture up won’t bring another down](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson: Rising one culture up won’t bring another down
OPINION: Our country’s past is our shared heritage and it deserves to be remembered.
![Opinion: Reasons why 16-year-olds should be allowed to vote](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Opinion: Reasons why 16-year-olds should be allowed to vote
OPINION: There is nothing dangerous about the act of voting, at least not in New Zealand.
![Sonya Bateson: Grocery shopping is grim. No wonder families are doing it hard](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sonya Bateson: Grocery shopping is grim. No wonder families are doing it hard
OPINION: It’s hard to keep trimming the fat when even cheese is a distant dream.