It's Not Over Yet!
The council has published its final proposal for the system of wards and councillors for the next 6 years. The system will comprise 8 general wards and 1 Maori ward. The Maori ward has already been established. Residents will only be allowed to vote for and have reasonable access to 1 out of the 9 councillors; their ward councillor. That definitely doesn't win the best and fairest award! One example of the council's weird thinking is its decision to split Greerton into two wards with the centre of Chadwick Road being the dividing line.
BUT, it's not over yet. Residents still have the right to challenge the council's decision!
It's now up to the Local Government Commission to make the final decision about which system Tauranga will have. The LGC has a good record of listening to the public and overturning bad council decisions. And, this is a bad one! If it's to to consider the matter properly the LGC needs to know what the public thinks The way to pass on your opinion is to:-
(a) send an email to - repreview@tauranga.govt.nz, or
(b) send a letter to the council at Private Bag 12022, Tauranga 3143, or
(c) drop off a letter at any library or at the customer service office in Willow Street.
To read the council's webpage on the subject Google - Tauranga city council elections review.
A better system of wards and councillors would be 1 city-wide general ward with 4 ward councillors, 7 at large councillors and 1 Maori ward. General roll electors would have the right to choose 11 out of the 12 councillors and Maori roll electors could choose 8. Tell the LGC that the council's chosen system is wrong for the city and that you want this one instead.
The council also refused to establish community boards. Boards are not another layer of bureaucracy. They are not run from a council desk. They are statutory community organisations designed to encourage and assist local participation in city governance. Residents would be able to have their say in familiar surroundings in their own community instead of in the council chambers. Tell the LGC that you want community boards.
The closing date is the 13th of December. Don't miss the deadline, don't let the council win by default.
🧩😏 Riddle me this, Neighbours…
I am an odd number. Take away a letter and I become even. What number am I?
Do you think you know the answer?
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Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Step by step for a great cause!
Our amazing Hillary Hikers from Edmund Hillary Village showed their support for Bowel Cancer New Zealand's Move Your Butt campaign this month!
Sporting the bright purple and orange campaign shirts, these wonderful walkers hit the Auckland waterfront and marched from Mission Bay to Kohimarama, raising awareness for bowel cancer and the importance of early detection along the way.
Click read more to read the full story.
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