With less than one week before nominations close for the by-election for two members of the Galatea-Waiohau Subdivision of the Murupara Community Board, candidates are proving slow to put their names forward.

Bay of Plenty tourism representatives are rallying together to support the industry and those affected following the eruption on Whakaari/White Island on Monday afternoon.

A spate of vandalism over the weekend has wreaked havoc on public conveniences and decimated established gardens in the Whakatāne District.

Essential maintenance work on the Ōhope wastewater system during the next two weeks will require residents to take action to ensure any pressurisation of sewer lines does not result in water being expelled from their toilet bowls.

A sandbag median island is being installed on Hinemoa Street, at Wainui Te Whara, to test the feasibility of a permanent median island at the site.

Whakatāne District Council representatives had the opportunity to meet with Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta last week to discuss the process surrounding the Galatea-Murupara Ward tie and recount situation in the recent local elections.

Whakatāne District Council is seeking a meeting with Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta to discuss what it says are flaws in the local electoral legislation. These flaws were exposed in the process that had to be followed for the tie and recount in last month's Galatea-Murupara Ward election.

The Compleat It campaign from Love Food Hate Waste aims to reduce food wastage, currently one of the largest environmental challenges globally.  The campaign, which focuses on more than how food is cooked, is a holistic philosophy that aims to help New Zealanders take action and 'Compleat' their food.