Two-term councillor reflects on learnings and experiences
■ With the upcoming 2025 local body elections Lesley Immink feels it’s time to reflect on the learni
Letter: Is WDC guilty of deception by non-disclosure?
John Howard, Whakatāne Action Group chairman Ponder this at a time when the council needs to be ope
Opinion: Wild weather and climate change
■ While we watch the senseless wars on our TV screens and the horrific human suffering that they cau
Letter: Ballooning debt a systemic problem
Dave Stewart I read with great interest the article in Wednesday’s Beacon (Rates rises ranked acros
Opinion: Progress for safer communities
Government is taking a firm approach to law and order, and we are seeing results, writes East Coast
Letter: Where is our voice?
Rebecca Mackay Last week, I watched footage of New Zealand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Winston P
Letter: Pheebs the wonder dog
Barry Rosenberg I was sitting at the desk. Pheebs bursts in, as she tends to do. The next door neig
Māori wards propaganda
D Dawson It has become abundantly clear to most readers that the Beacon supports and promotes Māori
Letter: Full microbiology lab in Whakatāne for all diseases
Alexander (Sandy) Milne I was greatly encouraged by the letters of support from Mayor Victor Luca a
Privatisation of health - a Coalition Government agenda
Philippa Branthwaite While we wait and wait for the obstetric and gynaecological services to be r
Letter: Light show top class
Deb Woollett Congratulations Arts Whakatane, Whakatāne District Council and Trust Horizon for anoth
Letter: Housing cuts
Lynore Craig Three weeks ago, just as the country was beginning to relax and focus on celebrating M
Letter: Grateful thanks
Janet Baillie I would like to thank the staff of the medical ward for their outstanding care of my
Letter: Scotsman deserves a seat
Thank you, Victor Luca, for reminding us of the valuable and selfless contribution Sandy Milne has m
What’s said behind closed doors is not being shared with the public
Jo Luxton Labour List MP based in East Coast When our local National MP tells the Minister of Heal
Opinion: The power of storytelling
Four days spent with filmmakers was a potent reminder of the power of storytelling, writes Kim Webby
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Opinion: Who's a doer and who's not?
■ Whakatāne Mayor Victor Luca provides additional context and perspective on the letter by Aimee Mac
Letter: Have a go
Abraham Larsen A word of encouragement to anyone talking themselves out of standing for council or
Letters: Medical care second to none
McKay family We just want to thank the staff in the medical ward at Whakatāne Hospital, especially
Letter: Whakatāne people need a break not a bridge
Keith Melville Twice in the past week I was asked to sign a petition calling for a new Whakatāne br
Letter: New River Crossing
Suzanne Williams I, with a friend, have been on the streets gathering signatures for Grey Power on
Opinion: Pressing pause on Mayor Talk
Another local body election is fast approaching, with nominations opening today and the voting perio
Opinion: Advocacy is still needed
■ Don’t we all wish that life was simpler? Faced with complex systems and a maze of rules and guidel
Opinion: Why I stood for council
Ōpōtiki District Councillor Max Kemara responds to criticism and advice on what it takes to be a goo