Stark choice: rates or food
Mike Fletcher questions harbour spending, warning rising rates will hit struggling Ōpōtiki household
Let’s look at an Eastern BOP Council
David Hick The recent “call” from the Local Government Minister urging councils to amalgamate – or
Letter: The river is sad
Grant Kelly It was a sad day this week seeing a large excavator in our local swimming hole in the W
Manufactured outrage and its cost
Political fear and division threaten New Zealand’s democracy, writes Mawera Karetai In my Beacon ar
Unity at heart of disaster response
Ruth Gerzon reflects on Whakaari’s aftermath, highlighting resilience, community connection, and Ade
Historical context of borrowing
John Capener Wow so many ad hominem comments in such a short space (Beacon, April 29). Ann Fletche
Do we need fish?
Suzanne Williams At the risk of becoming a one-woman Marewa Karetai Fan Club, once again I must exp
From wharf to wheels
Dave Stewart How sad it is reading about the loss of the fish and chip shop on the Whakatāne Wharf.
Letter: Track controversy intensifies
Suzanne Williams Once again, our controversial Ōtarawairere Bay track is hitting the news. The new
Letter: West End track is ours
Craig Julian I’m writing this from the South Island after a long day riding. My wife and I have spe
Opinion: Ōpōtiki can’t have nice things
Jared Suisted calls for personal responsibility to tackle vandalism and restore pride in our town S
Reflecting on sacrifice
Labour List MP based in East Coast Jo Luxton attended this year’s Anzac Day Civic Service at Ōpōtiki
Letter: Congrats on Anzac service
Michael Corboy Congratulations to Ōpōtiki District Council and Ōpōtiki RSA for the effective organi
Ōpōtiki Mayor David Moore - Month of highlights and lowlights
It feels like we’ve dropped into ngahuru / autumn very quickly this year with the changing seasons,
Letter: Seeking rumors on Government actions
John Capener Allow me to square the ledger and ask readers to get in touch with me if they have any
Letter: Are we aware and ready?
Suzanne Williams Well, we have come through the cyclone relatively unscathed with no loss of life a
Letter: Government spending questioned amid debt
Ann Fletcher John Capener’s letter (April 22, 2026) is a brainfart of baseless inuendo. Mr Capener
Letter: Remembering the cost of war
Chris Bullen How many times last week did you read or hear the phrase “Lest We Forget”? But we do.
Letter: Clear as mud
Keith Melville On Friday, a few friends and I were discussing Whakatāne District Council plans for
Tackling the housing crisis
There’s no easy solution to the housing crisis we face, but we all know this is a man-made crisis, o
Strange relationship with the truth
As we approach the silly season of the 2026 election campaign, we are already seeing that the first
Work while learning a trade
L M Law An observational comment from Jane van der Beek in Wednesday’s Beacon on university degree
Letter: Tripling of insurance claims
Peta Barker The insurer IAG’s Wild Weather Tracker shows the country experienced 46 storms last yea
The strength we carry forward this Anzac Day
■ Anzac Day has always been more than a date on the calendar. It is a moment that calls us to reflec