Roads, rubbish and medical centres are among some Tauranga residents' thoughts on what our city's biggest needs are.

The Sun went wandering to gain people's views with the General Election looming this October 14, and Local Body Elections next July 2024.

So what do Tauranga locals think is the biggest priority for our city looking forward?

'Well I'm going to give you my personal opinion because I'm walking around with a back brace on because we hit a major pothole on the Kaimai Ranges and I've got a crushed vertebrae,” says Shona Rutherford, who's in a back brace for six weeks to heal her injuries.

'So at the moment we need better roads.”

Improved roads seemed to be a reoccurring trend when The Sun reporter and photographer chatted to city folk. 'I've lived here my whole life and the roads – although population increase – the roads have gotten worse,” says Tracey McCready. 'Cameron Rd used to be two lanes all the way. Now we've got more cars on the road, more people live here and we're down to one lane. It's just a disaster.”

Tracey McCready.

Roads lagging

Adding to the subject of roads being Tauranga's biggest priority was ex-Aucklander Haley Falamoe. 'There's new builds going up everywhere but the roads are obviously still lagging behind because the new builds are going up so quickly.” Haley has lived in Tauranga for six years now. 'It's becoming like a semi-Auckland because of all the traffic and everything; and I think the roads are a huge part of that.” On the environmental front, Jay Harawira think our city's main priority should be on rubbish and littering. 'Tauranga can be on a bit on the messy side and I think handling rubbish would be something to be taken care of.

'I constantly see how people always litter when they're only like two feet from a bin.”

Haley Falamoe.

Jay Harawira.

Another A&E?

Katie Tie lives with health problems and thinks our city needs another hospital or a 24-hour accidents and emergency centre – particularly in the Papamoa area due to its growth. 'We used to live in Papamoa and because I've got health issues that need to be dealt with fast, we moved up this end (Tauranga Central) because now we're only minutes away from the hospital.”

Katie Tie.

If you'd like to share your thoughts on what our city needs, commissioner clinics are held each month where you can speak face-to-face with a commissioner. To book a clinic time, email executive assistant Maree King at: maree.king@tauranga.govt.nz