Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says he has no plans to limit the powers of Tauranga’s Government-appointed commission, despite growing calls to demote it to a “caretaker” role ahead of the city’s unusual election in July.

Last week, five Tauranga ratepayer and advocacy groups called on Brown to step in and prevent Tauranga City Council’s commission from committing ratepayers to what they believed were pricey “non-essential” projects, echoing requests by former Tauranga Mayor Greg Brownless and Act Party list MP Cameron Luxton in January.

The commission - made up of chairwoman Anne Tolley, Shadrach Rolleston, Stephen Selwood, and Bill Wasley - was appointed to govern Tauranga City Council in February 2021 after former Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta discharged the elected council of its duties in December 2020.

The commission’s term was later extended until July 2024 to provide stability and deliver complex projects - preventing the city’s participation in the 2022 local body elections.

On July 20, Tauranga voters will have their first chance to elect representatives to their city council since 2019, and that group will serve New Zealand’s first four-year council term.

Last week, the Mount Maunganui Ratepayers, Residents and Retailers Association, the Pāpāmoa Ratepayers and Residents Association, the Grace Rd and Neighbourhood Residents Association, the Sustainable Bay of Plenty and Lobby for Good issued a joint statement urging Brown to direct the city’s commission to act in a “caretaker” role until July.

Lobby for Good director of public affairs Erika Harvey, who last year stood as the New Zealand First candidate for Tauranga, says she believes it's critical for a newly elected council to contribute to the city’s Long-Term Plan 2024-34, especially given changes post-public consultation.

Initially, the capital expenditure estimate included in the draft Long-Term Plan was $2.2 billion. However, this rose to $4.75b when the projected costs associated with changes to the Government’s Three Waters reforms were included after consultation.

The council has said it abided by the law and its approach, including consultation, was approved by Audit New Zealand.

The Long-Term Plan is still being finalised and is due to be adopted this month.

Harvey says without intervention from the minister, there is a risk the council might commit to long-term contracts.

In her view: “Such actions could significantly constrain the future council’s capacity to fund vital infrastructure projects. This scenario poses a substantial financial risk.”

Lobby for Good's Erika Harvey.

She believes delays to “essential infrastructure”, cuts to key transport projects, and “big spending plans for non-essential infrastructure” - including Te Manawataki o Te Papa - the civic centre project ($300 million-plus), a new stadium proposal ($220m+), and a $122m new aquatic centre at Memorial Park - show the need for change.

Glen Crowther, from Sustainable Bay of Plenty, says in his opinion the commission has decided to effectively use operating revenue - rates - to directly fund essential Three Waters capital infrastructure so it could “lock in... expensive non-essential projects”.

Crowther is concerned big financial decisions are being made without enough community support or input and without “the final say-so of an elected council”.

Tauranga City commissioners (from left) Shadrach Rolleston, Bill Wasley, Stephen Selwood and Anne Tolley.

He calls on the Government to signal it's listening by Brown instructing the commission to take on a caretaker role and ensure the new councillors could review and approve the Long-Term Plan.

Crowther says this is “crucial” for effective financial management and to “rebuild trust” between the city’s citizens and leaders.

“This isn’t just about following rules; it’s about making sure our city’s governance is transparent, inclusive and truly representative of those who live here.”

Sustainable Bay of Plenty's Glen Crowther. Photo / John Borren.

Brown told the Bay of Plenty Times he would not amend the commission’s role.

“Democracy will be restored to Tauranga with elections in July this year. At that point, the people will elect a council and the commission will end,” Brown says.

“I do not have any intention of changing the commission’s powers before the end of its term.”

Nominations for Tauranga’s election open on April 26. The election will be held on July 20.

The council and Tolley were approached for comment.

‘No community mandate’

In January, Brownless, who was mayor from 2016 to 2019, said he believed the commission could entrench decisions and contracts “for which they have no community mandate and which will unfairly bind a new council”.

Luxton backed Brownless’ call, saying the Long-Term Plan should be made by community representatives chosen at the election.

Tolley said in response at the time that the commission’s terms of reference specifically tasked it with making good decisions on behalf of the community and with the development and adoption of the council’s 2024-34 Long-Term Plan.

“In essence, we’ve been asked to redress the failings of past councils, with a focus on addressing a longstanding under-investment in infrastructure and community facilities,” Tolley said.

“That’s exactly what we are doing, and all of the key decisions we have and will make have involved full community consultation via LTP [Long-Term Plan] and LTP amendment processes.”

-Bay of Plenty Times.