It has been a shocking week in the Bay with police conducting inquiries into two separate deaths - one in Woodville and the other in Napier.

It was an end of an era yesterday as the chattels of the Happy Tav in the centre of Havelock North were auctioned, but it is the start of something quite exciting.

Hawke's Bay has done well in the latest New Year Honours list with seven deserving people either being appointed to the New Zealand Order of Merit or receiving the Queen's Service Medal in recognition of their services to the community.

The problem with religious holidays is that so often the core message - in this case, peace and love - gets lost amid the trappings of religious and commercial power.

Boxing Day is now the busiest shopping day of the year for many retailers. How times have changed, writes Linda Hall.