Tauranga will soon have its say on who will be running their city for the first time in nearly five years.
Candidates for the Tauranga City Council election have been announced after nominations closed at midday Friday, May 24.

Fifteen hopefuls are vying the for mayoralty, with the election on July 20.

Electoral officer Warwick Lampp said there were 86 candidates in total. 

This year’s election will be under a new governance model with a mayor and nine councillors to be elected.

Candidates will be standing in the eight local wards and the Māori ward, Te Awanui.

Some mayoral candidates are also standing in the local wards.

It will also be the first time the city has had a Māori ward, which will cover the entire city.

People enrolled to vote on the Maori electoral role will be able to vote for a candidate in this ward as well as the mayor.

Voters on the general role will vote for a candidate in their local ward plus the mayor.

Special voting begins on June 20 and will close at midday on July 20.

How did we get here?

The council elected in 2019 were discharged of their duties in late 2020 by then Local Government Minister Nania Mahuta because of infighting and significant governance issues.

The four person commission lead by Anne Tolley took over in 2021. Mahuta extended the commission’s term in 2022, until July this year.

Tauranga’s election is out of sync with the council election cycle so the new mayor and councillors will have a four-year term ending in 2028, rather than the usual three-year term.

What do we know about the mayoral candidates?

Olympic rowing gold medallist Mahé Drysdale said he wants Tauranga to be known as “New Zealand’s best small city”. The financial advisor lives in Cambridge but grew up in Tauranga and said he wants the city to fulfil its potential.

Born and raised in Tauranga, singer Ria Hall was the first to officially put her hat in the ring for mayor. If elected Hall said she would bring her energy to the role and focus on infrastructure, transport, environment and creating a more connected, cohesive society. She is also running in the Pāpāmoa ward.

Former deputy mayor Tina Salisbury says the city needs to move forward and it needs decisive leadership. Her priorities include addressing the housing shortage, building a connected city through transport and infrastructure, and fostering collaboration.

Greg Brownless, who was mayor from 2016-2019, said he would bring experienced leadership along with business skills and a community heart to get Tauranga moving forward responsibly. He said he's done the hard-learning and can effectively begin the mayoral role immediately.

Former Bay of Plenty Regional Councillor Doug Owens said his vision is deeply rooted in a commitment to his hometown. If elected he would “review the current operations and the work completed and planned by the commissioners and council management.”

Former councillor John Robson retired at 40 after an international management consulting career. He was first elected to council in 2013 serving a term, then won a by-election in 2018 and was elected again in 2019. He said: “Until we elect a council capable of, and committed to, developing a strategic, sustainable, and fully funded plan, growth will continue to blight rather than benefit Tauranga”.

Candidates for the 2024 Tauranga City Council election:

Mayor
Tanya Bamford-King
Aureliu Braguta
Greg Brownless
Andrew Caie
Mahé Drysdale
Anthony Goddard
Chudleigh Haggett
Ria Hall
Donna Hannah
Hori BOP
Tim Maltby
Jos Nagels
Douglas Owens
John Robson
Tina Salisbury

Te Awanui Ward
Suaree Borell
Ashley Hillis
Mikaere Sydney

Arataki Ward
Sarah-Jane Bourne
Rick Curach
Anthony Goddard
Teresa Killian
Adrienne Pierce
Kim Renshaw
Jeroen Van der Beek
Andrea Webster
Harris Williams
Mike Williams

Bethlehem Ward
Charlene Apaapa
Shelley Archibald
Felicity Auva’a
Darren Gilchrist
Gerry Hodgson
Jos Nagels
Bevan Rakoia
John Robson
Kevin Schuler

Matua-Ōtūmoetai Ward
Tanya Bamford-King
Ronald Chamberlain
Glen Crowther
Suzie Edmonds
Cam Holden
Jim McKinlay
Basie Pikimaui
Ken Patterson
Tenby Powell
Kim Pritchard
Mike Rayner
Zach Reeder
David Tank
David Webb

Mauao/Mount Maunganui Ward
Heidi Hughes
Garth Mathieson
Teresa Nichols
Michael O'Neill
Jacqueline Pointon
Jen Scoular
Peter Stanley

Pāpāmoa Ward
Bryan Archer
John Bowden
Phillip Coleman
Ria Hall
Tim Maltby
Steve Morris
Maaka Nelson
Craig Purcell
Shelley Robb

Te Papa Ward
Andrew Caie
Mark Decke
Chudleigh Haggett
Reihana Marx
Terry Molloy
Jim Smith
Rod Taylor
Barbara Turley
Tauriko Ward
Mark Decke
Chudleigh Haggett
Reihana Marx
Terry Molloy
Jim Smith
Rod Taylor
Barbara Turley
Abraham van Berkel

Tauriko
Murray Guy
Larry Baldock
Marten Rozeboom
Stephen Wheeler

Welcome Bay
Hautapu Baker
Aureliu Braguta
Ethan Brinkman
Robert Coe
Donna Hannah
Cameron Templer

Key election dates:

May 24: Nominations for candidates closed
June 29-July 3: Voting papers delivered
June 29: Special voting begins
July 17: Last day to post your voting form
July 19: Last day to enrol and be able to vote
July 20: Election day, voting closes at 12pm
July 20: Preliminary results announced
July 23-25: Final results due

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

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