Local body elections for Tauranga City Council are scheduled for 20 July 2024, the first since 2019.
In February 2021, Anne Tolley, Shadrach Rolleston, Stephen Selwood and Bill Wasley were appointed as commissioners to the Tauranga City Council by then Minister of Local Government, Nanaia Mahuta. The dissolution of the elected council in February 2021 was always meant to be a temporary emergency measure with full local democracy restored in 2022. However, the commissioners asked the Government to delay local elections for at least another year. In response, Nanaia Mahuta extended their term until July 2024.
Former Tauranga mayor Greg Brownless (2016-2019) labelled the news the “death of democracy for Tauranga,” and said that the city is now being run by what is “effectively a dictatorship”.
New representation arrangement introduced
For the upcoming election, Tauranga City Council will have a new representation arrangement. The Local Government Commission determined Tauranga residents will elect nine councillors plus a mayor. Eight of our nine councillors will be from general wards, with one councillor representing the Māori ward.
Candidate information session
For those interested in standing as a candidate in the upcoming election, Electoral Officer Warwick Lampp is holding an information session on Tuesday 30 April, when you can find out all you need to know about nominations, standing for Council and the election process. The event will be held at Baycourt X Space, 38 Durham Street, from 6:00pm-7:15pm. The event will also be livestreamed.
Register here to indicate whether you are attending in person or online.
For further information on the election, see: https://www.tauranga.govt.nz/council/about-your-council/elections-2024