Latest fromMt Maunganui

‘Tokenistic’: Councillor questions water consultation process
Mayor Denyer says consultation is tough due to government-imposed changes.

‘Step backwards’: MP’s equal voting rights bill challenged
Iwi group leaders argue the bill ignores political disadvantages faced by Māori.

LGxit: Another council legs it from LGNZ
Western Bay of Plenty Mayor James Denyer highlighted LGNZ's support for elected members.

‘Eroding a democracy’: Backlash over community board changes
Western Bay council proposes three boards to improve representation and reduce rates.

‘Unique, essential’: Locals dismayed as pool hours remain unchanged
The council decided to keep the 7am opening to save on extra costs.

Councillor seeks inquiry into commission’s decisions
Mayor Mahé Drysdale said focusing on past issues won't help the council progress.

‘Low trust’: Mount Maunganui street closure sparks community tension
Mayor Mahé Drysdale said road changes aim to balance safety and accessibility.

‘Incredibly proud’: Omanu triumphs in national surf championships
Omanu won the Alan Gardner Trophy for the first time in its 78-year history.

‘Very busy road’: Bus lanes that racked up $1.4m in fines may become T3
Mount Maunganui road responsible for about half of all bus-lane tickets over two years.

‘Prime land’: University strikes $1.38m deal to lease public reserve for 99 years
It plans to build a marine research and education facility.

‘Thuds’ from man's punches as he attacked ex-partner heard by golfer 50m away
A man was playing golf when he heard screaming; he looked up and saw a woman being beaten.

Marine precinct sale could cause ‘irreversible harm’, court told
Tauranga City Council says it is not obliged to provide facilities for working boats.

Council cans waterfront walkway, projects 12.5% rates rise
Mayor Mahe Drysdale says the council's budget is a 'ceiling ... not a target'.

Hopes for more homes, more jobs in regional deal
Western Bay of Plenty hopes to secure one of the Government's sought-after regional deals.

Person seriously injured at Mount Maunganui wharves
An ambulance was called about 9.17am.

Former chief executive to return to Western Bay council
A familiar face will take the Western Bay of Plenty District Council's top job.

$60m BoP bridge and interchange to boost economy
Industrial development Rangiuru Business Park near Te Puke has reached a major milestone.

Guidelines set for part-sale of regional council’s port shares
Council's sale of Port of Tauranga shares to create an 'endowment fund' for the community.

The inspiring climb: Community rallies for local woman battling cancer
A Tauranga woman with a "big belly of tumours" is running out of options.

‘Fear and anxiety’ for locals fed up with beach parties
Beach parties and drinking in public have Mount locals calling for a full liquor ban.

Tauranga Mayor still doesn’t live in city, 7 months after winning election
Mayor Mahé Drysdale says it's "very challenging” finding a suitable home in Tauranga.