Column Articles

Small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of our communities.

With 96 per cent of all Western Bay of Plenty enterprises employing 20 or fewer people, it is vital to continuously search out ways to reduce the financial and time burdens that small businesses face.

We all know in our hearts, the importance of our children.  Most of our young are well loved, but too many are vulnerable to harm and hurt.   We are determined to ensure young children in the care of the state are well looked after.  Unfortunately the Children and Young Families Service has not delivered consistently for our

With Easter over for another year, many New Zealanders have something else to look forward to. Extra support for families, which has been made possible by the Government’s careful economic management, kicks in on April 1. 

A review of a new service for students with the highest needs has found it is improving behaviour and educational outcomes. Almost all of the families involved in the study saw the Intensive Wraparound Service (IWS) as a major improvement for their children with some describing it as a life-saver.