This is my first of a weekly blog for The Weekend Sun and Sunlive. These are my opinions and views based on the meetings, events and people I meet in my role as a Otumoetai/Pyes Pa Ward councillor for Tauranga City Council and also from what I observe while out and about in the city.

Last Wednesday was the inaugural Tauranga City Council meeting for the new triennium.

Stuart Crosby, Rick Curach, Bill Grainger and I were re-elected and are joined by Bev Edlin, Gail McIntosh, Clayton Mitchell, Steve Morris, Matt Cowley, John Robson and Kelvin Clout. It is great to have more women and younger voices on council to better represent the community.

Stuart Crosby, as Mayor, used his new mayoral powers to select his Deputy Mayor as Kelvin Clout, and to choose elected members to populate council's committees.

I am chair of the Historic Village Advisory Group, and I look forward to working with this group, and Friends of the Historic Village, to enhance the Historic Village for locals and visitors alike.

Thank you to those who voted me on to council – I appreciate your support and value the opportunity to represent you.

The foundation for this council moving forward in a positive manner will be one based on respecting each other and the community.

Tauranga Arts Festival

Last Saturday, I spent the day on the Arts Bus. Our tour departed from the Incubator at the Historic Village and visited many local art studios and galleries. We called in to some of the ‘pop up' events occurring around the CBD and Mount, and were entertained by colourful street performers. One of the highlights was visiting Owen Dippie's studio – a very gifted young artist, whose art work can be seen around the city. For example, Owen's portrait of A Girl with a Pearl Earring at 219 Cameron Rd.

During the long weekend, beautiful weather drew thousands of people to the city and the Mount, where hundreds of hot rod cars were on display. The pride of the owners was reflected in the immaculate presentation of their cars.

Our first Tauranga City Council meeting is on Tuesday, November 19.

In the meantime, workshops have been arranged for elected members to discuss a vision for Tauranga; and a bus trip will bring newly elected members up-to-date with our projects, policies and operations.