Western Bay's new mayor intends to create 'real change'

The newly elected Western Bay of Plenty District Council Mayor Garry Webber was celebrating his win this afternoon with his family, when he spoke to the <i>Bay of Plenty Times</i> at his home.

The newly elected Western Bay of Plenty District Council Mayor Garry Webber was celebrating his win this afternoon with his family, when he spoke to the Bay of Plenty Times at his home.

The ex-Tauranga Boys' College pupil attributed some of the values he learnt at school, such as respect for others, integrity and honesty, to why the Western Bay chose him as mayor.

"I think I've carried those things through my campaign.

"I tell it the way it is. I'm not a spin doctor," he said.

Mr Webber said he wanted to build on former mayor Ross Patterson's "great" work in the Western Bay.

In a press release, Rotorua MP Todd McClay said he looked forward to working with Mr Webber, "to continue to offer economic opportunity in the Te Puke area".

"The Te Puke area has a huge amount to offer and I look forward to working closely with Mayor Webber and the entire Western Bay Council to further strengthen the local economy and offer opportunity for local people."

Mr Webber campaigned on "real change", focusing on increasing "efficiency, better use of technology and to provide far better value for the rates dollar we collect".

The former Kaimai Ward councillor looked forward to meeting with the Western Bay of Plenty District Council chief executive at 9am on Monday.