Latest FromBOPT Opinion
![Tauranga's biggest stories of the week](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Tauranga's biggest stories of the week
It has been a big week in news. Here are the week's five biggest stories online.
![Becoming a Bag Lady in the Bay](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Becoming a Bag Lady in the Bay
Bag lady aspirations follow a shameful secret - a collection of single-use plastic.
![Simon Bridges is in for a rough ride](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Simon Bridges is in for a rough ride
It's not going to be easy going up against the popular Jacinda Ardern.
![National leadership, power switching, free buses](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
National leadership, power switching, free buses
Letters to the Editor, February 28, 2018.
![Merepeka Raukawa-Tait: Hey celebrities - we're not that into you](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Merepeka Raukawa-Tait: Hey celebrities - we're not that into you
Merepeka Raukawa-Tait shares her views on the celebrities famous for being famous.
![Soper: Burning Bridges - new leader won't be next PM](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Soper: Burning Bridges - new leader won't be next PM
COMMENT: Next National Prime Minister will not come from new leadership pairing.
![Letters: Referendum, glass recycling, TECT cheques](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Letters: Referendum, glass recycling, TECT cheques
February 27: Cost of a referendum, civic duty to recycle, leaving a legacy.
![Super Rugby sporting spectacle returns](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Super Rugby sporting spectacle returns
The beginning of a new Super rugby season will be welcomed by most, but not by everyone.
![No excuse for our high prison population](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
No excuse for our high prison population
NZ is chasing the US in incarceration numbers, but should be looking to the Netherlands.
![Poll: National leadership - who would you like to see win?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Poll: National leadership - who would you like to see win?
Who is the preferred pick for National leader? Have your say in our online poll.
![Letters: Museum referendum, Maori wards, TECT cheques](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Letters: Museum referendum, Maori wards, TECT cheques
February 26: Referendum shock, goodwill gesture, traffic first, robbing Peter to pay Paul.
![Graeme Simpson: No one wants to crash, but help is there](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Graeme Simpson: No one wants to crash, but help is there
No one wants to crash, but who knows when you'll need help?
![Letters to the editor: Recycling, TECT and cartoons](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Letters to the editor: Recycling, TECT and cartoons
Letters, February 24: Recycling; TECT and Hubbard cartoons.
![Dawn Picken - Busting the ball jar myth](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Dawn Picken - Busting the ball jar myth
Dawn Picken doesn't want gonads in formaldehyde. She wants men to show vulnerability.
![Letters to the editor: Student loans, museum referendum, traffic problems](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Letters to the editor: Student loans, museum referendum, traffic problems
Letters to the Editor, February 23, 2018.
![NZ home is to amazing creative talent](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
NZ home is to amazing creative talent
Let's hope Lorde's success helps other talented musicians get noticed.
![Today's teens have real courage](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Today's teens have real courage
Turning fear and anger into activism, students campaign for gun control.
![Rachel Stewart: Carping at movie deeply misguided in flawed world](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Rachel Stewart: Carping at movie deeply misguided in flawed world
COMMENT: Three Billboards film has drawn flak for lack of neat ending — but that's life.
![Letters: Dark spectre lurking behind TECT proposal?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Letters: Dark spectre lurking behind TECT proposal?
February 21: TECT cheques, unwanted museum.
![The battle for the National leadership](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
The battle for the National leadership
National's leadership contenders have two different contests to win.
![Tauranga's traffic woes growing yearly](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Tauranga's traffic woes growing yearly
Each February, Tauranga's traffic gets worse, writes Sonya Bateson
![Right place, right time: magic!](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Right place, right time: magic!
Show up and the magic moments might just present themselves, writes Tommy Wilson.
![Graeme Simpson: The rise of freeride mountain biking](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Graeme Simpson: The rise of freeride mountain biking
I'm looking forward to the screening of The Moment.
![Parliament's prayer change appalling](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Parliament's prayer change appalling
Letter writers share their views on current issues
![Opinion: Friends can make reliable anchors](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Opinion: Friends can make reliable anchors
Dawn Picken: Mother, wife, daughter, curator of marvellous mates.
![Opinion: Simon Bridges off to good start](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Opinion: Simon Bridges off to good start
Simon Bridges cements his position as a top contender to be National Party leader.