Letitia Atkinson

With squash just announced an Olympic sport for the games in Los Angeles in 2028, Tauranga will see some the world’s best players on-court here in our city this December. The New Zealand Squash Open will be played December 5-10 at Mercury Baypark Arena – with Aotearoa’s top male and female athletes joined by some of the world’s best players from 17 nations.

A beacon of positivity, radiating an infectious energy. A living legend. These are just a handful of terms used to describe Tauranga man John Barton. John, or JB as he was known to many people, the brains and effort behind Tauranga Youth Search and Rescue, passed away last month. He had numerous coronaries since 2013 and open heart surgery in 2016.

Posted: 9:01am Tuesday 28 Mar, 2023 | By Letitia Atkinson editor@coastandcountrynews.co.nz Help on offer for rural community Many people have been affected by the recent weather. Photo: John Borren. Growers and farmers are facing a monumental task ahead of them following the destruction left by Cyclone Hale and Cyclone Gabrielle. Both weather events have affected the North Island severely and the government has allocated a $25 million fund to help farmers and growers in cyclone hit areas.