No local elections but new caretakers to come for troubled Tauranga City Council

Friday, 11 March 2022

The team currently overseeing Tauranga City Council – from left, Shadrach Rolleston, Bill Wasley, Anne Tolley and Stephen Selwood – will finish in October, with new appointments to follow.

Tauranga City Council will be run by commissioners for a further two-and-a-half years after Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta ruled out a return to local elections.

Mahuta made the announcement in Tauranga on Friday morning, and confirmed a commission would remain in New Zealand’s fifth-largest city until July 2024.

The current commission, chaired by former National MP Anne Tolley, was installed by Mahuta in February last year after elected councillors were sacked by the Minister amid accusations that the authority had become “dysfunctional”.

The current group of four commissioners, which also includes Shadrach Rolleston, Bill Wasley and Stephen Selwood, will continue in their posts until October this year.

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Following consultation with cabinet, Mahuta will consider candidates for appointment to the next commission, with further announcements expected in the coming weeks.

“The current Tauranga commissioners have accomplished some impressive achievements in their tenure,” says Mahuta, “including strengthening relationships with the community, producing a long-term plan for 2021-31, and improving culture within the council.

Keeping the commission will make sure the council has the “stability needed”, Mahuta said, as the council still faces challenges (file photo).

“They have acted on many hard decisions that are essential to building a prosperous and sustainable future for Tauranga. But it is clear there is more to be done.”

Mahuta claims having a commission in place beyond October will ensure Tauranga City Council have the “stability needed” to maintain its pace and direction in terms of infrastructure and projects currently underway.

“They will be able to deliver on several complex programmes of work, including plans for the new civic centre precinct and investment plans for future growth.”

She also praised the input and influence of current chair Tolley and her fellow commissioners.

“I want to acknowledge Anne Tolley and thank the current commissioners for the work that they have undertaken so far,” Mahuta said.

“They have worked effectively to understand the needs of Tauranga and what is required to deliver significant and necessary change to a rapidly growing city.”

The Minister confirmed she wants to oversee a “smooth transition” back to elected representation for the city in July 2024, with elections to bring in new councillors as well as a new mayor.

“I have taken on board the commission’s exit plan and recommendations and carefully considered all available options,” she says.

“It became clear that the council is still facing significant challenges and it was going to be necessary to continue to have a commission at the council to advance the progress already made.”

“Today’s decision reflects the excellent progress made to date, but also the work that remains to be done to ensure that Tauranga and the wider Bay of Plenty region are provided with the services and infrastructure they require into the future.”