Blogs

Saving a tourism icon

Fletcher Tabuteau is deputy leader of New Zealand First, Under Secretary for Regional Economic Development and a list MP based in Rotorua. COVID-19 has created unease around the world and also here in Rotorua's tourism space. I was able to speak... Read More

Cricket legend Daniel Flynn retires

Sideline Sid Sports correspondent & historian www.rotoruanow.co.nz The retirement of ND and Bay of Plenty Cricket legend Daniel Flynn flew under the radar for many cricket fans with the sudden closure of the 2019/20 cricket season... Read More

Love and loss in the time of Corona

Claire Mahon is a community advocate and the Labour Party candidate for Rotorua It's been a long seven weeks. Or, if you're looking at my grey hair roots, it's been a long three months as my hairdresser went into post-travel isolation before the lockdown... Read More

National's campaign to keep gangs flush with cash

Haydn Marriner is a Rotorua tourism operator and political junkie. This election is going to be an absolute humdinger, with all the stranger than fiction twists and turns you never thought you could imagine - when the dust settles New Zealand, one... Read More

The Lockdown Kaumatua

Wairangi Jones is principal advisor for cultural competency training company Tutira Mai NZ Ltd. My phone rang. The second week of Level 4 lockdown was in full swing. I didn't know the number. I spoke to the caller and was surprised. It was a... Read More

Now is time to focus on the future

It has been a privilege to serve on the Epidemic Response Committee during lockdown. This high level of transparent inquiry during a world crisis is unparalleled in a modern democracy. We've heard a range of views from the community and voluntary... Read More

Things I’ve Learnt in Lockdown 5

Haven't worked out in years? Now's the time! I'm not sure if it's the increase in chunky memes circulating social media or the fantastic amount of home baking we seem to be consuming, but suddenly it seems everyone in New Zealand is taking advice... Read More

Ask yourself, if you had to do it again, would you? 

It's been a time of great uncertainty and unprecedented action. There have been challenges thrown at us from all directions. You wouldn't ever choose to go through a time like we've just had, but we all just did. Our bubble of 5 million. We still... Read More

Solar Activity and the next Maunder Minimum

Weather Eye with John Maunder The ‘Maunder Minimum' is the name given to the period from 1645 to 1715 when the number of sunspots - ‘storms' on the sun - became almost zero. The period is named after the solar... Read More

Things I’ve Learnt in Lockdown 4

It's The Great New Zealand Bake-Off! It's no wonder people are bulk-buying flour with all the delicious recipes circling the internet these past weeks. Chelsea Winter's lockdown loaf has got people whipping out their aprons and oven mitts. Aunty... Read More

Covid-19 has changed everything

We are faced with difficult times ahead that will require challenging - and brave - decisions to ensure we recover and become stronger, better and more resilient. Along with many of you, I am passionate about our place and our people and 100 per cent... Read More

Things I’ve Learnt in Lockdown 3

It only takes one person to buy a lightbulb I'm not sure if anyone else will agree, but I'm finding this new ‘one shopper from each bubble' rule at the supermarkets really quite good. I'm advocating for this rule to continue after lockdown... Read More