Letters to the editor: Proposal to have fewer Tauranga councillors 'stinks'

Tauranga City Council heard submissions to its representation review o Monday. Photo / NZME

On Monday, I presented, along with 13 other ratepayers, my 10-minute written submission to the four Tauranga City Council commissioners and the CEO my views on the proposal to have only eight ward councillors, plus a Māori ward councillor, plus a mayor (News, October 19).

In the 2001-2004 trimester there were 13 councillors from both at-large and the wards system and a mayor, so why is this proposal only eight ward councillors plus one Māori one and a mayor?

People mistakenly think it is a cost-cutting economy measure so it's OK. It is not.

There is a capped fund so that if there are only 10 elected members, they get much more money per trimester.

It is far, far better for lots of good reasons to retain the 2001-2004 model, in my view, and maybe add a Māori-at-large seat after proper public consultation.

Tauranga's population is growing - we need more councillors, not less, in order to control the ever-increasing TCC staff and consultants.

The whole proposal stinks, in my view. Other submitters thought so too.

Hylton Rhodes
Tauranga

Reward the vaccinated

I'm actually glad there are new incentives for people to get their shots.

I hope it is enough for us to hit the 90% target... hopefully more!

However, a nationwide raffle for all who have had the double jab would be a nice gesture from the Government.

Say, 1,000 winners of $1,000 each. That's loose change for the Government, costing the team of five million just 20 cents each.

Mark Windsor
Welcome Bay

Vaccination is a civil duty

I voluntarily and without reward had my double vaccination in June and July.

I took it as a civil duty to do so.

It is interesting to see the value of life is established as one ice cream. I doubt that they are being retrospectively allocated.

A.D Kirby
Papamoa

Glasgow trip a waste

I am appalled that Climate Change Minister James Shaw is travelling to Glasgow to a Climate Change Conference.

Huge costs are associated with his travel and its impact on the environment, when I believe he could Zoom in and deliver his speech and new developments from New Zealand.

In my view, this is a waste of taxpayers' hard-earned dollars.

Anthony Lipanovic
Lake Rotoehu

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