Tauranga Constituency Councillor Paula Thompson has resigned from her position on Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council, effective 23 May.

Councillor Thompson has served as an elected member of Toi Moana since 2010. In that time she has held roles on SmartGrowth, the Tauranga Moana Advisory Group, the Mount Air Quality Working Party, has served as Chair of the Strategy and Policy Committee and as a Director of Quayside Holdings Limited.

“My personal circumstances have changed since I was elected. I am no longer able to commit the time and effort required to be an effective Councillor and have decided it’s in the best interests of my constituency for me to retire. I wish all my colleagues well with their future endeavours and thank the Chair, Deputy Chair and Council for your dedication and efforts to and for the good governance of Toi Moana.

“It has been my privilege to have worked with Fiona McTavish as Chief Executive and I thank all staff I have had the pleasure of working with.”

Chair Doug Leeder thanks Councillor Thompson for her contributions.

“On behalf of all of us, I acknowledge and thank her for the huge contribution she has made to Regional Council, and by extension the difference she’s made for our region and the people who call it home. Her selfless and future-focused approach reflects the spirit of community that Councillor Thompson has brought to Regional Council.”

With a wealth of experience, Councillor Thompson’s local government career includes serving as the Chief Executive Officer at Tauranga City Council for seven years before serving as a Councillor for Toi Moana.

The resignation will not trigger a by-election as it falls within 12 months of the upcoming local body elections, which are being held on Saturday 11 October 2025. The seat will remain vacant until then.

Key election dates:

• Friday 4 July 2025: candidate nominations open, roll opens for public inspection
• Friday 1 August 2025: candidate nominations close at 12 noon, roll closes
• Tuesday 9 September 2025: voting documents posted out, voting opens
• Saturday 11 October 2025: voting closes at 12 noon
• Saturday 11 October 2025: preliminary results available
• Thursday 16 – Sunday 19 October 2025: declaration of final results

More information about the elections is available at www.boprc.govt.nz/elections

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