More events, a 250-bed hotel and improved roading are among the items at the top of Western Bay residents' wish lists for 2015. With the new year upon us, reporter Amy Wiggins asked people what they would like to see happen in the region during the next year.
Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller
"I'm looking forward to the TEL opening, the start of the Hairini underpass, welcoming more families coming to Tauranga to settle. On a personal note let's make 2015 the year where we help out where we can. I love the amount of volunteering that goes on in our area, we should really promote and celebrate it, make it a point of difference in our community."
Tauranga MP Simon Bridges
"I believe 2015 is going to be a strong year for Tauranga ... I'm looking forward to seeing affordable homes starting to be built, a new school opening, and I reckon we will see our existing businesses grow in confidence. ... I'm really looking forward to seeing the Hairini Underpass start and the Tauranga Eastern Link opened. All in all, I think we will end 2015 with Tauranga a stronger, more confident city ... "
Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby
"Things based on creating an environment [to attract] new and innovative businesses to Tauranga. Making sure that our university campus proceeds. Creating opportunities for a broader range of events. Managing growth is going to be a huge part of our 10 Year Plan budget. Hopefully a little bit for everybody.
I think it's going to be great year for the city.
Western Bay of Plenty Mayor Ross Paterson
"[Residents] told us they wanted to have more contact with us in decision-making and we're looking forward to doing that more next year. They also wanted to have security in their community and involvement in their community. I also want to see that they are enjoying the environment and recreation opportunities that the council provides out there in the district. We wish to see that it's there and there for our children and our children's children."
Bethlehem Town Centre manager Leanne Brown
"I'd like to see more events across the city and a variety of events for all ages and types of activity. We need to continue to attract events to the city. It's so good to get people to come to the region and also give the residents a reason to stay. We need to make sure we don't over supply our region with shopping centres and that locals continue to support the shops and businesses that are here.
And lots of sunshine."
Bay of Plenty Tourism head of marketing and communication Kristin Dunne
"We would love to see next year is: an internationally branded, 250 + room hotel, further funding to continue our successful marketing campaigns internationally and domestically, and one of the concepts on the table for a major attraction that fits with our natural environment to get the go-ahead. A large hotel gives us the opportunity to compete in the conference market and host large groups and events in the Bay."
New Zealand First list MP Clayton Mitchell
"With a 21-year wait for the Greerton Library upgrade, I look forward to seeing the first spade turned over on this project. It's also going to be great to see the tertiary campus proceed along with the Marine Precinct in Tauranga. However we need to hero positive events for our city like the Easter Jazz Festival, the Jet Sprints, Aims Games and On the Lawn Festival, which add up to make it an attractive economical proposition as well as a fun one."
Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Dave Burnett
"I'd really like to see a continuation of our regional growth that we've seen this year and continue to build on our successes that we've seen in 2014. Also more jobs created and corresponding high levels of income to in turn attract high quality people to Tauranga."
Gourmet Night Markets creator Kim Renshaw
"I think we're doing really well. I know there are a lot of things in the mix which should be really cool.
"I think we really need more things created to get the young tourists here."
"What I'd like to see and possibly be involved in is a day-long outdoor music festival. We could be there in 12 months or 18 months. We've just got to broaden our horizons a little bit. We just need to keep providing interesting things for people."
Former Otumoetai College student and founder of Hunter Powell Investments Tenby Powell
"One of the things that worries me about Tauranga particularly is does it have a strategic vision? It has a strategic plan. It's going to be New Zealand's fourth largest city in short order. My pick is that it's going to be bigger than Wellington. It's going to take a long time.
"What is going to attract people to live in Tauranga apart from the wonderful climate and vista that sits there naturally."
Vox pop
"I'd like to see them sort the road out between here [Tauranga] and Katikati."
- John Bouzaid, 50, Katikati
"Free parking for locals. I don't like how it's free over the holidays for the travellers but not the locals."
- Courtney Ashton, 24, Papamoa
"Cheaper flights to the South Island from Tauranga."
- Rebecca O'Neill, 26, Western Bay
"More culture. A museum."
- Tom Lynch, 40, Papamoa
"We could probably have a few more concerts and things down here - basketball games. Just to try and keep people in here and make a bit of money."
- Brendon Wordsworth, 33, Bethlehem
"Forget about the parking meters down here. That's why people are leaving and going to those big shopping centres."
- John Galvin, 68, Pillans Point
"I've just been telling people how much I love this place. Movie tickets could be cheaper. It cost me $30 to go to the movies with my 5-year-old."
- Abi Binns, 28, Judea
"A theme park would be good. It must be pretty good if we're struggling to find something."
- Courtney Jones, 32, Otumoetai
"More art. I'm an artist so I'm biased."
- John Roy, 40s, Matua
"The parking improved. Just make it a bit cheaper. It was not too bad when it was $2 for two hours."
- Clarice Kyle, 76, Western Bay
Victoria Seymour, 12, won the Chinese Proficiency competition in Wellington.