This year has been a brutal year in many ways, writes Juliet Rowan.

It is hard to believe it is 10 years since the Boxing Day tsunami. Ten years since waves up to 30m high crashed over Southeast Asia, killing more than 230,000 people.

I sat down to log my favourite books and films for 2014. It's a mark of how busy the year has been that my list is so short.

Anita Moran writes: Tauranga ratepayers hope the money they dish out to the council is spent wisely.

Is it just me or has 2014 been a really tiring year? Many people I know from all walks of life appear to be staggering to the finish line, writes Marcel Currin.

Anita Moran writes: It takes a special kind of person to look after someone else; a lot of care, patience and dedication and I applaud these people.

Just before last Christmas, my family and I went to Christmas in the Park, writes editor Scott Inglis.