Commission News & Views with Anne Tolley

The Tauranga City Council Commission’s term will come to an end next month, following the election of a mayor and nine Councillors on July 20. 

We know opinions have varied on the temporary removal of democratic local governance, but the overwhelming message we have received from the community is that most people understood why the Minister of Local Government needed to step in back in late 2020.

And most also appreciate that positive change was needed to address a decades-long under-investment in the infrastructure our growing city needs. 

During the past three and a half years, the commissioners have engaged with thousands of individuals and organisations about the things required to ensure Tauranga remains a great place for present and future residents to live, work, learn and play in.

We’ve used that feedback to guide our efforts to make good decisions on behalf of all residents, while acknowledging you can never please everyone. 

Tauranga City Council Commission’s term will come to an end next month. Photo: Photo: John Borren.

On behalf of the commissioners, I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to meet with us, write to us and make submissions to the many consultation processes the council has undertaken during our tenure.

While we couldn’t satisfy all your expectations, it has been enormously useful to have a clear picture of what the community’s priorities are. 

We leave our roles knowing that work programmes have been, or will be, put in place to address the city’s dire housing shortage, traffic network congestion and community facility needs.

We have also adopted policies that will help deliver better outcomes for the city in the coming decades — again with the benefit of substantial community consultation. 

So thank you everyone — we’ve greatly enjoyed working with and for you and appreciate the many messages of support we have received.