Opinion: To fluoridate or not – go with best scentific advice available
■ The fluoridation of drinking water in New Zealand is not compulsory. However, we in the district o
Letter: Different strokes for different folks
John Capener Gosh, I’m glad I’m not a landlord. I’m not sure I could enjoy handing out all that dis
Letter: No solutions as to how to pay our way
Peta Barker Secretary, Eastern Bay of Plenty branch, NZ Labour Party Keith Melville (Beacon, Febru
Letter: A lefty laughs out loud
Dave Stewart I had to laugh at Keith Melville’s latest epistle of entitlement on behalf of his fell
Opinion: From New Zealand Day to Waitangi Day to Te Rā o Waitangi
■ Independent historian Tanja Rother reflects on Waitangi Day’s origins and Whakatōhea’s distinct Tr
Resilience means investing in risk mitigation
■ Urgent, united investment in climate resilience is needed after devastating weather across our reg
Opinion: Whakatāne Action Group statement of intent for 2026
John Howard Chairman, Whakatāne Action Group Whakatāne Action Group Inc held its first meeting of 2
Letter: Scam warning
D W Goodall On Friday, January 23, my wife and I attended the Slumberzone Factory Direct sale at th
Opinion: Labour’s capital gains tax: A deceptive Trojan horse
Keith Melville I want to issue a warning about a cleverly designed Trojan horse scam. The seductiv
Letter: Riverfront revitalisation - who pays and why?
Ross M I am retired and find cost increases which directly affect my standard of living, concerning
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Anchor Me: The Don McGlashan story screens in Ōpōtiki with Q&A
Ilmar Gravis At a time when New Zealand was witnessing protests in the streets against the 1981 Spr
Opinion: Tragedy, climate and the questions we can’t avoid
■ Recent tragedies expose nature’s power, climate tensions, and the need for humility, care, and lea
Opinion: A gateway worthy of the view
■ David Hick, is a long time Eastern Bay resident – he arrived in 1951 aged one week and was educate
Letter: Eastern Bay of Plenty Anniversary Day
John Spring I was thinking about the relevance of the Auckland Anniversary Day, when we live in the
A call for action: Why Bay of Plenty must be ready for what’s coming
■ We know what’s coming. Not when, but we know it will come. This is not conjecture or alarmism – it
You have the power to shape a positive, sustainable future
■ Your choices today can help build a hopeful, sustainable future for our community, writes Ilmars G
Letter: Cheaper to dredge
Ōhope artist Warwick Armstrong is a firm believer in dredging over construction of floodwalls. A rec
Letter: Plunket Rooms with stories to tell
T Jordan I read with interest the leading article in the Beacon (January 14) re Whakatāne District
Opinion: We need to stop pretending we don’t see workplace bullying
■ At the start of this year, it is time to have an honest conversation about workplace bullying – on
Letter: Pride in school gardens
Jude Marsh In Wednesday’s Beacon, I read a letter to the editor written by Suzanne Williams, Musing
Ōpōtiki, you have no worries
Paul Charman When I moved from Taumarunui to Ōpōtiki early last year, it was like arriving in a lan
Using our power to turn trash into cash
■ Back in the 1970s, returning empty soft drink bottles and cans for money was a normal part of Kiwi
Letter: Touch tournament parking woes
Bev Palmer Price I’m so impressed with the touch tournament. It was great to see so many people en
Opinion: Police and neighbours respond to couple clash
John Spring Police do a great job Unfortunately, the profession has come in for a lot of flak late