tauranga

A designated retail crime unit is making a difference in Tauranga's CBD.

More than 1200 charges have been laid against 215 offenders in just six months.

Tauranga Pharmacy Co-owner Kelly Mitchinson says when people call the police, something actually happens now.

She says police didn't care as much in the past unless violence was involved.

"They'd come in here, super entitled- they'd come in with a shopping bag. And these are repeat offenders, so I think some of those particular offenders have been charged now, some have ended up back in prison."

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Tourism providers in Bay of Plenty are preparing for their busiest cruise season since the pandemic – with 113 ships expected to visit Tauranga’s port this summer. 

Tauranga Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Matt Cowley told Tim Dower the region is primarily a domestic tourism market and cruise tourism is the cherry on the cake. 

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Black Cap Tim Seifert reflects on the game last night and what could have been done differently. 

The game against Bangladesh was called off due to weather after just 11 overs of play. 

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Commuters are frustrated with heavy congestion on State Highway 2 between Ōmokoroa and Tauranga.

The stretch of highway is used by more than 25-thousand vehicles a day and in recent weeks commuters have complained about huge delays.

The Western Bay of Plenty District Council has been counting vehicles using side roads to skip the congestion.

Councillor Don Thwaites told Heather du Plessis Allan the congestion is caused by the building of 800 metres of cycle track near Tauranga City.

He said that the problem was a lack of roads, as there’s only one crossing each for the Te Puna Stream and Wairoa River.

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The next region being highlighted on ZB's Summer with the Mayors is the Western Bay of Plenty, which has plenty to offer this time of year.

The Western Bay of Plenty is home to famous New Zealand beaches, such as Waihi beach, Omokoroa, Anzac Bay and Pukehina. 

Tauranga's town centre has also been undergoing some growth in the last few years, so tourists don't have to pick between the beach and their favourite city activities for the day.

Western Bay of Plenty James Denyer says the region is popular with international and domestic tourists and the open borders are helping the region back to post-Covid visitor figures.

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During 'Dry July' I caught up with Ange to chat about giving up the booze, why she did and the feelings surrounding drinking now. What we can all do to look at why we 'use' booze and the joy of being out in the ocean. 

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