Tauranga City Council

History

The historic predecessor was Tauranga Borough Council, which existed from 1888 to 1963. Tauranga City Council was then formed and existed from 1963 until the 1989 local government reforms. Post-amalgamation with other authorities in 1989 (e.g. Mount Maunganui Borough Council), Tauranga District Council existed until 2003 when it again became Tauranga City Council.

Crown commission and suspension

Main article: Crown commission administration of Tauranga

On 20 November 2020, Mayor of Tauranga Tenby Powell resigned following infighting between himself and city councillors. The resignation came eight months after the mayor was unanimously censured by his council for an angry outburst. Following further mayoral "outbursts," Powell publicly called for the Minister of Local Government to appoint a commission to replace the "dysfunctional" council.

On 18 December 2020, Minister of Local Government Nanaia Mahuta confirmed that the government would be appointing commissioners to administrate Tauranga in response to infighting within the council. The commissioners' terms began in early 2021 and were scheduled to last until the next local elections scheduled for October 2022, but was later extended to July 2024. The commissioners were stood down by Minister of Local Government Simeon Brown despite seeking reappointment. Elected representatives returned in August 2024.

Elections

The council is normally elected every three years, using the single transferable vote voting system. The vote is conducted by postal ballot. The 2007 election, which closed on 13 October 2007, had a turnout of 40%. Turnouts have since been 38.07% 2010, 37.78% 2013, 43.64% 2016, 40.28% 2019.

Tauranga City Council formerly used the first-past-the-post (FPP) voting system until 2019, when it switched to using single transferable vote (STV).

No election was held for the Tauranga City Council during the 2022 local elections, due to the council having been replaced with a Crown commission. The next elections for the city council were instead held during July 2024.

Tauranga City Council created nine electoral wards for the 2024 local elections. There are eight general wards (Mauao/Mount Maunganui, Arataki, Pāpāmoa, Welcome Bay, Matua-Otūmoetai, Bethlehem, Tauriko and Te Papa) and one Māori ward (Te Awanui, covering the entire city), which each return one councillor.

Council

Under most circumstances, the council is presided over by the Mayor. At its first meeting after a local election, the council elects from among its members a deputy mayor, who acts as mayor in the absence and with the consent, or in the incapacity, of the Mayor. The Deputy Mayor also presides at meetings if the Mayor is not present. The Deputy Mayor serves until losing his set on the council, unless removed from office by a vote of the council.

Elections for the council were most recently held in 2024.

In January 2025, Te Awanui Māori ward councillor Mikaere Sydney resigned his seat after not being to take up his position as councillor due to illness. A by-election to fill his seat was held in April 2025, and Sydney's uncle Hemi Rolleston was elected.

As of the 2025 by-election, the members of the council are:

Organisation

The day-to-day administration of the City of Tauranga is carried out by the Tauranga City Council staff. Indeed, in everyday usage, the term the council is extended to include not just the Mayor and Councillors, but the entire organisation.

The professional head of the city council organisation is the Chief Executive Marty Grenfell, who is appointed by the Council under contract for up to five years. The Chief Executive is assisted by six General Managers, who have a specific portfolio:

• GM Corporate Services – Paul Davidson
• GM People and Engagement – Susan Jamieson
• GM Strategy and Growth – Christine Jones
• GM Infrastructure – Nic Johansson
• GM Community Services – Gareth Wallis
• GM Regulatory and Compliance – Barbara Dempsey

General Managers are supported by three director's and a larger group of senior managers. The director's being:

• Director of Transport – TBA
• Director of Waters – Stephen Burton
• Direct of Digital – Alan Lightbourne

The council organisation is about 750 people delivering services across 40 businesses.

The organisation is focused on addressing three critical challenges within the city:

• Housing affordability
• Predictable travel times
• City Resilience

Responsibilities and services

The council is vested with a power of "general competence" for the social, economic and cultural well-being of Tauranga. In particular, the council has responsibility for a range of local services, including roads (except state highways), water, sewerage, glass recycling, parks and reserves, and libraries. Urban development is managed through the maintenance of a District plan and associated zoning regulations, together with building and resource consents. The council has been given extra powers to regulate certain types of business operations, notably suppliers of alcohol and brothels.

Council business units include:

• Animal control
• Environmental monitoring
• Emergency management
• Waste water
• Storm water
• Drinking water
• Library
• Building services
• Airport
• Marine precinct
• Cemetery
• Rating
• Land surveying
• Transport
• Digital Services
• Democratic Services
• HR
• Legal
• Community relations
• Events management

Notes

References

References

1. (3 August 2024). "Tauranga mayor Mahé Drysdale honours grandfather as he’s sworn in". Stuff.co.nz.
2. "Mayor and councillors". Tauranga City Council.
3. "Voting". Tauranga City Council.
4. "Tauranga City Council Minute Book History". Tauranga City Libraries.
5. (20 November 2020). "Tauranga mayor Tenby Powell resigns". [[Radio New Zealand]].
6. Gillespie, Kiri. (24 March 2020). ""Tauranga mayor Tenby Powell told to apologise over code of conduct breach"". Bay of Plenty Times.
7. Evans, Alisha. (24 March 2020). ""Mayor to apologise for "bullying comments""". Sunlive.
8. (14 August 2020). ""Tauranga mayor Tenby Powell in informal meeting"". Bay of Plenty Times.
9. Shand, Matt. (3 August 2020). ""Tauranga mayor's profanity-laced flip-flop over quitting"". Stuff.co.nz.
10. (18 December 2020). "Nanaia Mahuta confirms commission appointment to Tauranga City Council". [[Radio New Zealand]].
11. (2024-04-18). "Tauranga council commission request for hybrid model turned down again".
12. (2024-08-02). "New Tauranga Council, mayor kicks off its term".
13. "Voting – Tauranga City Council".
14. "Returns".
15. "Elections". Tauranga City Council.
16. "Elections 2024 > Information for voters". Tauranga City Council.
17. (31 January 2025). "Tauranga’s first Māori ward councillor resigns". [[NZ Herald]].
18. (30 April 2025). "Hemi Rolleston wins Tauranga Māori ward byelection". [[RNZ]].
19. "2025 Te Awanui Māori Ward By-election {{!}} DECLARATION OF RESULT". Tauranga City Council.
20. "Mayor and councillors". Tauranga City Council.
21. "2024 Council Elections DECLARATION OF RESULT". Tauranga City Council.
22. Motion, Samantha. (3 September 2018). "Marty Grenfell takes up Tauranga City Council's top job".