“It’s now up to voters to have their say on who they think will best represent Te Awanui at the council governance table.”
He encouraged people with an interest in the ward to get involved in the by-election.
“Enrol on the Māori roll if you are eligible, get to know the candidates who are standing, and then make sure voting papers are submitted when voting officially opens next month.”
Tauranga electoral officer Warwick Lampp said the by-election would cost about $55,000.
Driven by his passion for community development and the importance of genuine relationships with local iwi, Ngatai said strengthening partnerships between the council and mana whenua was essential for Tauranga’s continued growth.
His goal was to serve as a voice for Māori communities throughout Tauranga.
David Ratima
Te Awanui Māori Ward 2025 byelection candidate David Ratima. Photo / Supplied
Ratima said he was ready to commit full-time to whakawhanaugatanga (building relationships and connections).
He said he was most interested in the decisions councils and boards make about communities and the services they deliver to communities.
Councils must take appropriate account of the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi to facilitate participation, he said.
He was standing as a “proud descendant of Tauranga Moana iwi”.
He said he had the connections, skills, experience, qualifications and heart to be an effective and passionate advocate for Māori and for the benefit of all.
Over the past two decades he has held senior executive positions at Te Awanui Hukapak and Callaghan Innovation, and Crown Research Institute Scion.
He said he had skills and experience in governance. He is currently the chairman of McDiarmid Institute, InZone Education Foundation, Community Governance Aotearoa, and Ngati Whakaue Assets.
Webster said she has experience on boards ranging from whānau trusts to national organisations across sectors such as disability, education, and tourism.
Her campaign would be grounded in upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi in every decision made at the council table.
“I believe it’s time for all of us to come together, unite our thinking, and act as one.
“By bringing our values into local governance, we can create a more inclusive and accountable Tauranga for all our whānau.”
The details
Postal voting documents will be sent and voting opens on April 7.
Election day voting closes on April 29 at 12pm.
The results will be announced by May 5.
Enrolling to vote
People of Māori descent can choose which roll they want to be on.
If they are on the general roll and want to vote in this by-election, they can change to the Māori roll up to election day by going to the Electoral Commission’s website www.vote.nz, or by texting a name and address to 3676 to get a form sent, or by calling 0800 3676 56.
- LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
