Both places are very different. Just ask someone who lives in Tauranga or someone who lives at the Mount. For a starter, they are "Mounties" and, for anyone who has spent any time in the Bay, the differences are quite noticeable. Mounties are very laid back and tend to take a bit more of a relaxed approach to life, whereas us "City" slickers live life a little more hectically.
We once took a holiday, packed the car up and drove over the Harbour Bridge to stay in a timeshare at the Mount. It really did feel like we were somewhere a long way from home and not just over the water. It was great.
Don't get me wrong, some people love living on the western side of Tauranga Harbour and others on the ocean side.
What I think it does do though is divide us and we struggle for a complete identity. In a way, we lack a heart.
Take next weekend's 50th Jazz Festival. A wonderful event that has grown from small beginnings to become truly international but, to my way of thinking, it's lost a lot of its original heart.
It is great that it brings top international acts to our city but I think it's now spread too widely.
A few years ago, the place to go was downtown Tauranga on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and to enjoy the variety of bands that were playing in the bars and cafes along the Strand, Devonport Rd and in the Red Square.
Unfortunately that's all changed. Now, not only do we have the stages along the Strand, but we also have the Historic Village venue, which I think detracts from the uniqueness that is the downtown venue. There is also a lot of choice with concerts at the Domain, Holy Trinity and Bay Court plus the Harbour cruise on the steamboat.
It's great having all the choices, but there is only so much cash to go round and we know the demand on the leisure dollar is incredible at the moment.
I think we need to put the heart back into Tauranga. The Strand along with the reclamation is a wonderful area, but I have mentioned before it is completely under-utilised. I would love to see the jazz bands back in the bars and cafes and, with the closing off of the Strand for the Saturday and Sunday, you could just stroll down the Strand, choose your favourite band in your favourite watering hole and settle in for a couple of Saturday or Sunday afternoon quiets.
Going back to the start and the reasons why we are not considered a funky town. We certainly tick a lot of the boxes other areas have - great beaches with world-class surfing breaks, but is that where it stops. We need to build on what our particular areas are strong at. For the Mounties, it is the fabulous beaches and the wonderful walk up or around Mauao.
For us Taurangians, let's focus on our beautiful downtown with its harbourside cafes and boutique-style shopping precinct. We need to start supporting the fifth largest city in New Zealand and getting some character back into town.
