In response to your challenge, Demali Wilson!

I retired to Tauranga eight years ago and am still positive about this city I now call home.

I love the progress being made downtown; the Hairy Maclary statues, the Bayfair construction - all of it the creativity of locals. I watched with interest when the Welcome Bay underpass came to life. It took three years, however I have a new understanding of engineering and if I had my career to choose again, it would be engineering.

Help out in your community, question things - particularly workers onsite as they just love curious minds.

Don't be negative. Every day you wake be thankful, and at the end of the day be thankful for at least one thing.

Thank you Tauranga for the wonderful city you are becoming. Good things take time.

Sue Reese, Maungatapu (abridged).