Nine To Noon Around the motu: Bay of Plenty Times journalist Kaitlyn Morrell
Mar 4, 2026
Kaitlyn Morrell, Bay of Plenty Times journalist covering local news and community issues. She discusses a $400m Tauriko West housing development with a 200‑unit retirement village. She covers a pool diving injury and the resulting safety review. She explores young Kiwis moving to Australia for higher wages. She celebrates Mount Brewing’s 30th year as a family business.
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Major Mixed Age Development Planned For Tauriko West
- Tauriko West will host a $400 million riverside development including about 1,200 lots and a 200 unit retirement village.
- Classic Group started earthworks; first homes expected by 2027 with prices starting around $850,000, and retirement village construction begins next year.
Pause Recreational Diving Pending Safety Review
- Pools across Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty have paused most recreational diving while operators conduct a safety review after a spinal injury.
- Competitive swimmers may still train but must start in the water; the review is done with Recreation Aotearoa to consider wider changes.
Local Example Shows Wage Pull To Australia
- Young Kiwis are leaving for Australia for higher wages, illustrated by 25-year-old Joshua Sutherland who moved to Melbourne and now earns NZD ~82,000 from an AUD 70,000 salary.
- Joshua previously earned about NZD 60,000 entry roles in New Zealand and worked hospitality on arrival earning AUD $30/hr.