The Bay of Plenty Times has reviewed three separate reports, looked over historical emails and interviews, and obtained details about a meeting held at Tauranga City Council offices. Image / Phil Welch
The Bay of Plenty Times is taking a look back at the stories of 2019. Here's what made headlines in May.
A top housing developer warns a slow-down in the construction sector similar to that which followed the Global Financial Crisis could soon be on the cards for Tauranga if the city cannot fix its traffic issues.
Classic Builders' Peter Cooney said the stalemate between central and local governments over roading projects could have far-reaching consequences.
Read more:
Gridlock: Developer warns of GFC-like event if Tauranga can't fix its traffic issues
Tauranga's traffic congestion has escalated to the point where it is affecting lives and businesses.
But what are the roads we hate the most? Which ones make motorists so upset that they lodge complaints with the council?
As part of a special series, titled Gridlock – Tauranga's No 1 issue, we reveal the five roads drivers complain about the most and why they are such a problem.
Read more:
Gridlock:
The chokepoints Tauranga drivers hate the most
The loss of someone you love can be devastating and people who have endured this pain will grapple with ghosts for the rest of their lives.
Dawn Picken tells her own story of loss, grief, and navigating her way through life in the aftermath of her first husband's death.
Read more:
Living with ghosts: One woman's journey of loss and grief – and what she did next
Tauranga's mayor doesn't want cannabis legally sold Tauranga - or anywhere - "full stop".
This week the Government announced a referendum would be held next year about whether cannabis should be legalised.
Read more:
Legalise cannabis? No way, says Tauranga mayor Greg Brownless
A group representing a Bay of Plenty hapu that fought to have the Rena's remains removed from Astrolabe Reef is devastated after being placed into liquidation.
Ngai Te Hapū has stood firm in its desire for the wreck to be removed and has been locked in a battle against the ship's owner and insurer since the 2011 grounding.
Read more:
Court action leaves Bay of Plenty hapū 'devastated'
Avocad-no!! Tauranga cafes have pulled long-time dishes and sushi shops are directly canvassing local orchard owners as avocado supplies plummet and prices soar across the country.
Of the three Tauranga supermarkets Bay of Plenty Times visited, only one had avocados in stock, which sat at a pretty price of $5.99 each.
Read more:
Avocado? More like 'avocad-no' as fruit shortage and price hike hits Tauranga
A Rotorua man saved three people from a burning car just seconds before it went up in flames with a "boom".
Acting on instinct, Fa'atoaga "Fatu" Tuifaasisina Pelurale Aupeipeigamalie jumped out of his car and rushed to help without pausing to think of the risks involved.
Read more:
Rotorua man saves three people in burning car with just seconds to spare
It is ironic that Diary of A Wimpy Kid is one of Max Necklen's favourite books.
The 11-year-old is anything but a wimpy kid after beating leukaemia - and he has hundreds of cancer beads to prove it.
The Otumoetai Intermediate student was only a toddler in the terrible twos when he was diagnosed.
Read more:
Life after leukaemia: Why Tauranga family is grateful for lessons from cancer battle
The cost of Durham St upgrades is now expected to exceed $10 million, as struggling small businesses sick of roadworks consider packing up.
The joint Tauranga City Council, NZ Transport Agency and University of Waikato project aims to turn the 300m stretch between Elizabeth and Spring Sts into a green, pedestrian-friendly student hub around the new university campus.
Read more:
Tauranga's Durham St 'nightmare': Budget blows out, businesses hurting
A defining moment in the Bella Vista Homes disaster can be traced back to one crucial meeting. It was 12.30pm on a sunny Wednesday in December 2016, just four days before Christmas.
Ten people gathered in the office of Garry Poole, the chief executive of the Tauranga City Council at the time, to discuss a pending claim of "malfeasance in public office". Lawyers were present, along with senior council management and the leadership of Bella Vista Homes.
Read more:
Fateful decision: The meeting that was a defining moment in the Bella Vista disaster
Councillor Rick Curach has been left battered and bruised after crashing his electric scooter.
The six-term Tauranga City councillor broke two bones in his left hand and suffered multiple nasty gashes to his face in the accident, which knocked him out.
Read more: 'I feel lucky': Tauranga councillor Rick Curach crashes e-scooter
Jefferies and family will enjoy a leg of lamb with summer sides.