Councillors Hautapu Baker, Kevin Schuler, Rick Curach, Hēmi Rolleston, Mayor Mahé Drysdale, Deputy Mayor Jen Scoular, Marten Rozeboom, Steve Morris, Glen Crowther and Rod Taylor at the pōwhiri and swearing-in of Tauranga City Council Te Awanui Māori ward councillor. Photo / Alisha Evans
Councillors Hautapu Baker, Kevin Schuler, Rick Curach, Hēmi Rolleston, Mayor Mahé Drysdale, Deputy Mayor Jen Scoular, Marten Rozeboom, Steve Morris, Glen Crowther and Rod Taylor at the pōwhiri and swearing-in of Tauranga City Council Te Awanui Māori ward councillor. Photo / Alisha Evans
Tauranga’s councillors have been making plans and goals for the year ahead.
With a busy schedule for the city councillors, Local Democracy Reporting asked what their goals were for their ward areas for the remainder of the year.
Plans included roading and infrastructure projects, swimming pools, sports facilities, stormwaternetworks and transfer stations.
Councillor Steve Morris said there was a big six months ahead for his ward.
“In March, we’re looking forward to the full opening of the Pāpāmoa East Interchange, which will save significant travel time for Pāpāmoa East to Rotorua and Whakatāne and give residents a head start on the run into Tauranga.”
Pāpāmoa ward councillor Steve Morris. Photo / David Hall
He said he was involved in advancing the budget for the Pāpāmoa East Interchange about seven years ago and was excited to see the project completed.
“Residents will be watching NZTA’s decision on tolling with great interest.”
Morris said the Pāpāmoa Shared Pathway extension from Parton Rd to Taylor Reserve would start and “hopefully provide another sea-view platform”.
Deputy Mayor and Mount Maunganui ward councillor Jen Scoular. Photo / David Hall
She backed better transport solutions for cars, trucks, buses and bikes and for sustainable upkeep for local assets, particularly Mauao and the coastline.
“I will advocate for the Mount Business Association, for the sports and recreation facilities, including surf life-saving, and for major and minor events at the fantastic venues, including Bay Oval.”
*Scoular’s comments were provided before the Mauao landslide. She has been approached for an updated comment.
Councillor Rod Taylor said he was looking forward to the expected completion of the Library Community Hub and the Gate Pā Community Centre this year, among other projects in the ward.
Te Papa ward councillor Rod Taylor. Photo / David Hall
Matua-Ōtūmoetai
Councillor Glen Crowther said residents in his ward paid “a lot of rates” but had got “less from the council” back into their community over the years than anywhere in Tauranga, “except maybe Welcome Bay-Ohauiti”.
Ōtūmoetai ward councillor Glen Crowther. Photo / David Hall
He wanted to push for an upgrade of the ward’s only “major council facility” - Ōtūmoetai Pool - to make it more accessible and able to be used by more locals.
He said he also wanted to see the Maleme St transfer station reopened to the public this year, so western city residents did not have to go all the way to Te Maunga to drop off their green waste.
Arataki
Councillor Rick Curach said his ward’s current issue was many smooth asphalt streets being “ruined” by chipseal resurfacing.
Arataki ward councillor Rick Curach. Photo / David Hall
“I’m working to find an affordable solution for residents to retain the amenity they have paid to enjoy.”
Curach said the recent weather events highlighted the need to be prepared for potentially deadly natural disasters.
“Tsunami evacuation is top of mind.
“While effective phone alerts provide some peace of mind for those in areas of risk, having accessible and effective evacuation routes in place is still a work in progress and something I’ll continue to focus on.”
“We have significant slopes all the way from Tauriko in the south to Bellevue in the north, and a range of semi-rural, old residential, and new subdivisions.”
Schuler said that, in the recent storm, there were slips and people naturally want assurances that their stormwater assets were functioning well.
“Council has done significant work in recent years to improve the stormwater infrastructure across the city, and I want to make sure we are in a good position.”
Te Awanui
Te Awanui ward councillor Hēmi Rolleston said he represented all Māori across all wards in Tauranga.
Te Awanui ward councillor Hemi Rolleston. Photo / Supplied
“My plan for 2026 is to understand the needs of these Māori communities and build a pathway towards how they can work within Tauranga Council to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
“I plan to bring my experience, expertise, and relationships to strengthen the engagement with our Māori community.”
His specific goals for 2026 included housing, specifically papakāinga and kaumātua housing, to unlock a large amount of Māori land that was suitable for housing.
“The tragedy at Mauao has also required me to reset my goals and to work together with council, iwi and the community in partnership to find a common pathway towards the reinstatement of Mauao so we can all enjoy and appreciate this taonga again in the near future.”
This year, the council would decide on the future of the Māori ward.
“As I said at my swearing-in in May, my job is to do a good job, to prove to our Māori community and our wider Tauranga community that it’s a good thing. If I do that, I believe the rest will take care of itself.
“So, a big goal is for my fellow councillors to vote in support of the Māori ward and that I have played my part in showing its value.”
Welcome Bay ward councillor Hautapu Baker was also approached for comment.
– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Ayla Yeoman is a Local Democracy Reporting journalist based in Tauranga. She holds a Bachelor of Arts majoring in communications, politics and international relations from the University of Auckland, and has been a journalist since 2022.
