Leanne Brown gives maiden speech as Tauranga councillor

Leanne Brown gives her maiden speech as a new Tauranga City councilor Photo/John Borren

Newly elected Tauranga City councillor Leanne Brown has been sworn into power at a special council meeting today.

Ms Brown gave her maiden speech as the new Mount Maunganui Papamoa ward representative on the council.

She thanked her family and friends, plus the councillors who had been friendly and helpful in her transition.

This month Ms Brown won a by-election for the Mount Maunganui Papamoa seat on the council, after former councilor Clayton Mitchell won an MP role in last year's general election and stepped down.

Ms Brown is expected to be sworn in at 1pm today, when her official duties as a councilor are expected to begin.

Ms Brown has resigned from her position as marketing manager at Bethlehem Town Centre but will continue in her tole until March 20.

The ceremony follows a close by-election finish, with Ms Brown winning by just 42 votes ahead of local Labour candidate Clare Wilson. Ms Brown received 3250 votes.

Former councillor Murray Guy, Bay of Plenty District Health Board member Matua Parkinson, and local psychologist Janet Peters also contended for the seat.