​The sale of Tauranga’s Marine Precinct has been temporarily stalled by the High Court after an interim injunction was officially filed late last night by Pacific 7 Limited. This action successfully halted the settlement, which was scheduled for today, 22nd November. Sean Kelly of Pacific 7, supported by an affidavit from Erika Harvey on behalf of affected marine businesses, took this decisive step to safeguard the community’s interests and the future of local marine businesses.
 
Having obtained the Sale and Purchase Agreement via a Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA) request, Kelly and his legal team felt compelled to act. “This decision wasn’t made lightly,” said Kelly. “We now have clarity about what’s at stake, and it’s our responsibility to protect the interests of our community and industry.”
 
Matthew King, who is part of Pacific 7’s legal team, elaborated: “Pacific 7’s main argument is that Council knew before entering into the agreement to sell the Marine Precinct that many of the Marine Precinct Users would be displaced as a result of the proposed sale. Before deciding to go ahead with the sale, Council should have consulted with those Marine Precinct Users to understand what benefits they were bringing to the local economy and whether it was even possible or feasible to relocate them within the Tauranga City Harbour precinct. Pacific 7 further states that the decision to sell places considerable risk to the future of our local fishing and marine service industries.
 
This reflects concerns raised by central and local MPs who, in recent days, have voiced their own objections to the Commissioners’ decision to sell the Marine Precinct.
 
The Tauranga City Council did not oppose interim orders being made on a temporary basis. This pause allows the community and council to review the circumstances of the sale more thoroughly. “We’re encouraged by the council’s willingness to take this step,” said Harvey. “It reinforces their promise to prioritise accountability and collaboration moving forward.”
 
A Path Toward Accountability
Despite this development, the ongoing investigation by the Auditor-General remains critical. Harvey stressed the importance of examining how this deal unfolded and ensuring better governance practices in the future.
“This sale has been a wake-up call,” she said. “It’s about ensuring public assets are managed responsibly and that decisions reflect ratepayers’ interests.”
 
Looking Ahead
Kelly, Harvey, and the newly elected council members are optimistic about developing a more productive working relationship. “This injunction gives everyone the opportunity to take a breath and focus on the best path forward for the Marine Precinct and those who rely on it,” added Kelly. “We see this as the beginning of a process to ensure fairness and community-driven solutions.”
 
The current users of Tauranga’s Marine Precinct remain committed to transparency and creating a more genuine and collaborative partnership with council, iwi, and the wider community. Together, they see these steps as a vital opportunity to secure a sustainable, inclusive, and community-driven future for the Marine Precinct and its stakeholders.

Wednesday, 13 November 2024, 12:05 pm
Press Release: Lobby for Good

Tauranga, NZ – Calls for transparency around the controversial sale of Tauranga’s Marine Precinct are gaining momentum, with National MP Sam Uffindell and ACT MP Cameron Luxton joining Erika Harvey, Director of Public Affairs at Lobby for Good, to push for an Auditor-General investigation into Tauranga City Council. This cross-party support has brought together political leaders, small business owners, and the wider Tauranga community, to protect public interests and demand better accountability and transparency in council operations.
​
Erika Harvey, whose organisation Lobby for Good is dedicated to bridging the gap between decision-makers and communities, believes the Marine Precinct sale highlights a pressing need for stronger rules on local government transparency. “This sale, and the lack of information surrounding it, shows exactly why we need better regulations to hold council staff and it’s leadership more accountable,” Harvey said.” “Ratepayers deserve a council that serves them, not one that makes backroom deals selling off public assets to private interests at a discount price.”

The Marine Precinct sale, sold for nearly $14 million despite an assessed worth of $33 million including assets, has left many questioning the council’s handling of public resources. With ratepayers on the hook for an additional $29+ million in wharf upgrades that will benefit a private investor, the lack of consultation and accountability has fuelled widespread concern. Harvey first voiced her call for an investigation at the Tauranga City Council’s public meeting on 23 October, followed by a formal request to the Auditor-General on 2 November. Her call was soon echoed by Uffindell and Luxton, who stressed the importance of public trust and openness in local governance.

A Troubling Lack of Transparency in Local Government.
Harvey has been seeking clear answers from Mayor Mahé Drysdale and Tauranga’s newly elected council members, but their responses have been vague and noncommittal. This lack of openness has only fueled community frustration, especially among small business owners in the Marine Precinct, who are now left uncertain about their future access to the site.

“Since 2016, I’ve spent over 2,600 hours working with council officials to protect local businesses, keep the precinct accessible to the marine industry, and stays within community hands,” Harvey stated. “This sale puts years of work and trust at risk. It’s part of a larger pattern of decisions being made without public oversight or input. Local government is funded by ratepayers, so its decisions should be fully transparent and serve the people who pay for them.”

Harvey points to the sale as an example of why New Zealand needs stronger regulations around local government decision-making. “It’s almost impossible to trace how this deal came together, who was involved, and why key protections for local businesses were overlooked,” she said. “We need proper rules and oversight so ratepayers can see exactly where their money is going and ensure its spent in their best interests, not handed off to private ventures.”

Legal Action to Protect Public Assets
Supporting the push for transparency, local advocate Sean Kelly has filed an injunction to halt the sale until a thorough investigation can be conducted. “This injunction is critical,” Harvey said. “It gives us the chance to get clear answers and hold council officials accountable before any more irreversible decisions are made. The people of Tauranga deserve to know why public assets are being sold at a discount and why ratepayers are now facing millions in added costs to support a private venture.”

A Call for Local Government Reform
Lobby for Good wants to see true local government reform, focusing on greater transparency and accountability in how councils make decisions that affect their communities. Harvey argues that the Marine Precinct sale is a clear example of the need for these reforms. “The public has a right to know who is making these decisions and why,” she said. “When councils operate in secrecy, it erodes public trust and leaves us vulnerable to poor management of our assets.”

Harvey’s message is resonating with Tauranga residents, many of whom are rallying around her call for change. “This is about setting a new standard for transparency and accountability in local government,” she emphasised. “If we can’t trace how a decision of this scale was made, we need to ask ourselves what other decisions might be slipping through the cracks. It’s time to reform the way councils operate, so they truly serve the communities they’re funded by.”

A Movement for Change
With only days remaining before the sale’s settlement date on 22 November, Harvey and her supporters are urging the council to honour its duty to the public by addressing critical questions around the sale’s financial impact, the lack of open-market bidding, and protections for local businesses. “We need rules that ensure councils are working openly and responsibly,” Harvey said. “This community is strong and determined, and we’re standing together to push for the change that’s so clearly needed.”

Join the ConversationFor updates on this story, follow Erika Harvey’s advocacy on Facebook at www.Facebook.co.nz/ErikaHarveyNZ, and stay informed on the latest news. This movement is a powerful reminder that when communities stand together, real change is within reach.

Tauranga, NZ – Erika Harvey, a longtime advocate for transparency and community accountability, has formally called for an independent investigation into Tauranga City Council’s recent financial decisions, including the controversial sale of the Marine Precinct. Harvey’s recent letters to the Auditor-General of New Zealand and the Commerce Commission highlight serious concerns over the Council’s handling of ratepayer funds, the lack of public consultation, and a pattern of questionable deals that have impacted Tauranga’s community and industries for over a decade.

“Year after year, elected Council members and government-appointed commissioners have made the same types of decisions, often behind closed doors, leaving ratepayers footing the bill and the community in the dark,” Harvey stated. “Enough is enough. The people of Tauranga deserve transparency, accountability, and a voice in decisions that affect our city and public assets.”

The Marine Precinct sale, a $13.987 million deal transacted well below its $22.64 million valuation, is only the latest example of questionable Council decisions. On top of the discounted sale price, the Council has committed $29.2 million in ratepayer funds for upgrades to the now privately owned precinct. Originally built to support Tauranga’s fishing and marine industries, the precinct is now being repurposed for super yacht refitting, displacing local marine businesses and leaving workers in a precarious position.

For the small businesses based in Tauranga’s Marine Precinct, this sale has been especially disruptive. After the Marine Precinct was initially excluded from earlier Council investigations in 2019, Erika Harvey reached out to investigator Max Pedersen, requesting a focused review of how the precinct was being managed. Pedersen agreed, and while his investigation scope was limited by the Council, his findings were concerning enough to prompt several key recommendations. Among these was the formation of the Marine Precinct Advisory Group (MPAG), designed to rebuild trust, keep stakeholders informed, and ensure consultation and genuine engagement on future precinct developments.

Our collective hope was to continue using the space in a way that would support both the superyacht refit plans and Tauranga’s local marine industries. Yet despite the establishment of MPAG, we were left entirely out of this decision-making process, no public consultation, no opportunity for MPAG to explore a collective purchase to retain the precinct as a public asset, and no plan to keep the space accessible for all stakeholders.

“This isn’t just about one sale; it’s a pattern,” Harvey continued. “Since 2016, I have met with four different elected councils and one government-appointed commission, and the decisions keep getting more concerning. We’re seeing more backroom deals, more handoffs to private interests, and less and less accountability to the people who live and work here.”

A Troubling Pattern Emerges
The Marine Precinct sale joins a list of other questionable Council decisions, such as:

• The Harington Street Transport Hub – Initially budgeted at $27 million, this project ended up costing ratepayers $19 million when it was abandoned due to seismic flaws. The incomplete structure was eventually sold back to the original construction company for just $1.
• Mount Maunganui Land Sale – Another controversial sale that many locals believe prioritised private interests over public benefit, raising questions about the Council’s approach to managing public assets. 
• Marine Park Reclassification at Sulphur Point – This reclassification facilitated a marine research facility and was met with backlash from the community, who felt public consultation was inadequate and their green spaces compromised.

“These decisions show a pattern of mismanagement and closed-door dealings that directly impact Tauranga’s residents,” Harvey emphasised. “We’re not just dealing with one poor decision but a series of actions that erode public trust and put our community at financial risk.”

Demanding Accountability and Public Involvement
In her letters, Harvey is calling for an independent investigation with Tauranga’s residents playing a central role in defining its scope. She has also requested that government-appointed Chairperson Anne Tolley and the commissioners involved in these deals be questioned on their decisions.

With settlement on the Marine Precinct sale looming on 22nd November, Harvey has also reached out to the NZ Ombudsman to seek answers on outstanding questions that the Council has yet to address.

“This is our community, our city, and our money. It’s time we demand that the Council operate transparently and that decisions reflect the best interests of the public, not a select few,” Harvey urged.

Erika Harvey invites Tauranga residents to stand behind this call for transparency and accountability, encouraging all concerned citizens to join her in pushing for a governance model that values community input and responsible management of public funds.

The sale of Tauranga’s marine precinct for at least $4 million below its valuation is a “disaster waiting to happen”, a local business owner believes.
Tauranga City Council sold the precinct at Sulphur Point for $13.987m to Christchurch developer Sam Rofe.

The 2.98-hectare precinct, also known as Vessel Works, was valued between $18.63m and $19.24m and is zoned for port industry. Some sites within the precinct were already privately owned.

Rolfe approached the council in late 2023 with a proposal to buy the precinct with a vision of it becoming a "premier superyacht refit destination".

The sale conditions meant most of the working boat operators would need to relocate from their precinct berths.

As part of the sale, the council also agreed to fund up to $29.2m to develop an alongside wharf and replace the existing Bridge Wharf.

The decision – made under the Government-appointed commission – has been criticised by precinct users and newly elected councillors.

At an extraordinary council meeting on Wednesday, marine precinct users aired their frustrations over the “unconscionable” sale and being forced to leave the precinct.

Erika Harvey, who owns a fishing business with her family, told the meeting in her opinion the sale wasn’t just "a bad deal", it was a "disaster waiting to happen".

"The public is paying while the private owner profits.

In her view: "You’ve justified this by promising superyachts will bring in wealth, based on pretty pictures and a vision … but the math doesn’t add up."

The council’s projections showed each super yacht visit would contribute between $70,000 to $100,000 to the local economy, Harvey said.

"The existing marine industry, which you’re pushing out, workboats, logistic vessels and fishing boats, contributes well over $100m annually right now.

"You’re ready to sacrifice that for a speculative luxury industry.

"The marine precinct was meant to support local fishing and marine industries."

Harvey called for an independent investigation into the sale of the precinct.

When the council purchased the land from the Port of Tauranga in 2004, covenants were put in place to ensure the site was used for marine-related activities. These were defined as operations or activities that provided goods and services to the marine industry.

Managing director of marine service company Pacific7 Sean Kelly said the council needed to "grow some teeth and stop the sale".

He said he planned to file an injunction with the High Court to try stop it.

"We’re only asking for what we were promised. We’re asking for what the marine precinct was designed to be and we’re asking for [the council] to finally deliver it."

Moana New Zealand general manager Mark Ngata said they had operated from Tauranga for more than 30 years.

As the country’s largest Māori-owned seafood business, he said the company, its partners and fishermen had invested in the region.

"We find it unconscionable that we can put all this investment into this particular area over 30 years and then, with a pen, we’re gone."

Tauranga was the second largest port where the company offloaded fish and it invested around $8m per year into the region, Ngata said.

It had returns of $21m from the region which were returned to its 58 iwi shareholders through dividends, he said.

Fisherman’s Wharf, where the council suggested businesses could offload, was not suitable because their boats would not fit under the harbour bridge, he said.

"You’ve displaced us as a sector."

The public gallery was crammed with around 30 people who applauded the speakers.
Mayor Mahé Drysdale said the sale was now an unconditional agreement and inherited from the commission.

It was up to the new council to find a solution and "make the best of the situations that we’ve been dealt", he said.
Councillor Rick Curach said he wanted an outcome that would not compromise the fishing and workboat operations.
When the land was purchased by the council, it was clear it was meant for fishing and workboats, he said.

"But then this vanity issue came along and totally displaced that; it’s just unconscionable."

Councillor Glen Crowther said the needs of the fishing community were "pretty simple" – they needed a place to tie up boats, a wharf to unload, and access to ice and parking.

The least the council could do was apologise and find a solution, Crowther said.
Marine precinct activity also had $26.3m of debt allocated to it, but the sale proceeds were initially not going to be used to pay down the debt. 

Instead, the $13m was earmarked to help fund the $306m civic precinct Te Manawataki o Te Papa.
Drysdale wanted the $13m to be put towards the debt, which the councillors voted for.
The council would also investigate infrastructure options for the fishing and workboat industry.

How the sale price was setTauranga City Council had to have two valuations done. One valued the precinct at $18.63m and the other at $19.24m.

This did not include the 7195m2 hardstand area, which was valued at $6.12m and $7.81m respectively.
The purchaser, Rofe, agreed to align his offer at a mid-point between the two valuations.

Rofe was also not willing to pay the "harbour front premium" of $3.3m because he believed it was appropriate for residential but not an industrial precinct.

The hardstand area also provided a limitation because it must remain a hardstand which devalued the land.

These valuations and some of the equipment meant the council arrived at the $13.987m sale price.

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

Article by Alisha Evans: https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/10/28/taurangas-marine-precinct-sale-called-unconscionable/ 

​Tauranga, New Zealand – Concerned Tauranga residents are raising alarms over a controversial deal that has left ratepayers responsible for over $30 million in upgrades to the Marine Precinct, benefitting a private owner who purchased the asset for a mere $14 million. The public is invited to join an open forum at Tauranga City Council’s meeting on Wednesday at 2pm (2:30pm start) to demand answers and transparency.
This isn’t the first time Tauranga’s residents have been left scratching their heads over council deals that simply don’t add up. The Marine Precinct was downgraded from a strategic asset to allow it to be sold privately with minimal public oversight, and now Tauranga’s ratepayers are left paying over $30 million in infrastructure upgrades. Essentially, ratepayers are paying a private buyer millions to take a public asset off the city’s hands.
This just doesn’t add up,” said Erika Harvey, a local advocate for transparency and fair governance. “Tauranga’s ratepayers are being forced to foot the bill for $30M in upgrades, while a private buyer walks away with the Marine Precinct for far less than it’s worth. The public deserves to know how this happened, and we need answers.”
Not the Only Questionable Deal
Unfortunately, the Marine Precinct deal is just the latest in a long line of questionable decisions that have left residents and ratepayers wondering where their money is going and who’s really benefitting.

• The Harington Street transport hub, originally projected to cost $27 million, ended up costing ratepayers $19 million when the project was scrapped due to seismic design flaws. The incomplete site was later sold back to the original construction company for just $1, leaving the community with massive losses.
• The Mount Maunganui waterfront sale, which many believe prioritised private developers over the public interest, sparked concerns about how public assets were being used and who benefitted.
• Controversies surrounding Sulphur Point have further fuelled public discontent. In 2022, the Council reclassified parts of Marine Park at Sulphur Point to allow for a marine research facility led by the University of Waikato. Many residents felt this decision was made without proper consultation, raising concerns about losing public green spaces to commercial interests​

This follows earlier attempts in 2018 to revoke the park's reserve status, which was blocked by the then Conservation Minister.
“This isn’t just about the Marine Precinct,” Harvey continued. “It’s about the way our city is being managed. We deserve to know why these deals keep happening behind closed doors and why the public’s best interests don’t seem to be the priority. The fact that ratepayers are expected to pay more than $30 million for upgrades to a private buyer who profits from it, should concern every single person in this town.”

A Larger Pattern of Mismanagement
Over the past decade or more, Tauranga City Council has seen elected members, commissioners, and staff come and go, yet the same troubling pattern of decisions continues to emerge. From public asset sales to failed infrastructure projects, each new leadership team seems to follow a path that prioritises developers and private interests over the public good.

The question is: who is making these decisions, and why?
“Despite changes over the years, we continue to see the same pattern of poor financial management and lack of transparency,” said Erika Harvey “This is not just about one bad deal, it’s about a culture of governance that has allowed these deals to happen again and again, leaving the community in significant financial risk.”

Call for an Independent Investigation
Given Tauranga City Council’s ongoing financial struggles, the public must demand more than just answers. It’s time for a full independent investigation into the decision-making structure of the Council. Importantly, this investigation should be set by the public, focusing on why these deals keep occurring despite different leadership teams.
“This isn’t just about the Marine Precinct,” Harvey continued. “It’s about the structure within our council that allows decisions like this to keep happening. We need to ask who is really in charge, who is benefitting from these deals, and how we can ensure future decisions are made in the public interest. An independent investigation, with the scope set by the public, is the only way we can get to the bottom of this.”
Members of the community are encouraged to attend the meeting at Tauranga City Council’s current building, located at 306 Cameron Road, to support Mrs. Harvey to demand transparency, ask questions, and call for this investigation to be launched.
​
Public Meeting Details:
Date: Wednesday 23rd October 2024
Time: 2:00 pm (for a 2:30 start)
Location: Tauranga City Council, 306 Cameron Road

Tauranga, New Zealand – Growing concerns are emerging in the Tauranga community following the revelation that the Marine Precinct, a critical public asset, was sold to private interests without notification or public consultation. This sale, marked by a lack of transparency, raises alarm not just for the local marine industry but for all Tauranga residents who question what future decisions are being made behind closed doors.
Located next to the Tauranga Harbour Bridge, the Marine Precinct is home to a large Travel Lift, a key piece of infrastructure visible to anyone driving from Tauranga to Mount Maunganui. 
Erika Harvey, an advocate for the local marine industry, has voiced the frustrations of many stakeholders who feel sidelined after years of broken promises. Harvey, along with other locals and small business owners, are calling on the newly elected council to right these wrongs and prioritise transparency and accountability.
"This isn’t just about the marine industry. It’s about trust and the way Tauranga is governed," Harvey said. “The sale of the Marine Precinct was a backroom deal that ignored the public, disregarded small local businesses, and undermined years of efforts to fix past mistakes. If we allow this kind of decision-making to continue, what does it mean for the future of our city?"

Broken Promises and A Sale Without Consultation
In 2015, Tauranga City Council committed to delivering essential facilities as part of the Marine Precinct project. However, those promises were never fulfilled. Instead, the Council prioritised infrastructure to accommodate super yachts, leaving the local marine industry to fight to protect hundreds of jobs and key waterfront land initially listed for sale in the first stage of the project.
Thanks to our advocacy efforts, the first sale was halted, prompting an investigation that led to the formation of the Marine Precinct Advisory Group (MPAG). The MPAG was created as part of an effort to rebuild trust with the marine industry and ensure ongoing collaboration. However, in a move that has reignited frustration and mistrust, the Council sold the precinct in May 2024, without consulting the MPAG, local stakeholders, or the broader community.
"We had started to see real progress when the 2019 Council began working with us to address these issues,” said Harvey, a leading advocate for the marine industry. "But since the commissioners took over, the momentum was lost, and now we’re left with more uncertainty than ever."
The lack of consultation has raised serious concerns about the transparency of Tauranga City Council’s decision-making processes, not just for the marine industry but across the community. "What other public assets are at risk? What other decisions are being made behind closed doors without the community’s knowledge or input?" Harvey asked.
 
Who’s Accountable? Clarifying Roles and Responsibilities
Adding to these concerns is the role of Council leadership throughout this process. At the centre of operational responsibility sits the CEO, who was in charge during the investigation into the initial sale. The question now being asked is: how could the sale have proceeded without consultation, given the CEO’s role in overseeing council operations and ensuring transparent communication?
"Isn’t it the CEO’s responsibility to safeguard these processes and prevent this type of oversight failure?" Harvey continued. "The community deserves to know where accountability lies. The sale of the Marine Precinct isn’t just a failure to consult, it’s a breach of trust that leaves an entire industry in jeopardy."
The sale highlights broader issues with governance and accountability, particularly regarding decisions made by commissioners and council leadership behind closed doors. With stakeholders blindsided and trust further eroded, the community now faces an uncertain future, questioning what other public assets might be quietly sold without consultation or oversight.

Broader Implications for Tauranga: Is the City’s Future at Risk?
Harvey warns that if Tauranga City Council does not change its approach to governance, this issue could be a sign of broader, systemic problems for the city. “If we continue down this path of secret deals and lack of transparency, we’re not just risking the future of the marine industry, we’re putting the entire city’s future at stake,” she said.
Rising public concern indicates that this situation may have long-term implications for Tauranga’s governance. The lack of transparency in the Marine Precinct sale could erode public trust in the council, making it harder for future initiatives to gain community support. Residents are already asking: if this can happen to something as visible and significant as the Marine Precinct, what else could be sold or privatized without our knowledge?

A Call for Action: Holding the New Council Accountable
Harvey, along with support from other industry leaders, is calling for an immediate pause on further decisions regarding the Marine Precinct and any public assets until a full review and public consultation can take place.
"We need to rebuild trust between the council and the people of Tauranga," Harvey emphasised. "The newly elected members have the opportunity to show that they are different from their predecessors. They need to ensure transparency in all future decisions, hold staff accountable for their actions, and put the interests of the community first."
Harvey is urging the public to stay informed and demand accountability from their elected representatives. "Tauranga residents deserve to know that their council is working for them, not behind their backs," she said. "This is a critical moment for our city, and we can’t afford to get it wrong."

Originally published by Māori Television
Youth Voices Action’s Shareya Mcleod-Schmidt believes the top three priorities for the Government over the next three years that affect rangatahi should be a new education system, increased funding for kura and more youth-focused initiatives.
For the “new education system”, she acknowledges there won’t be enough time but she wants schools to go back to basics, with limited devices used in classrooms and students returning to pen and paper.
“Since we’ve brought in devices at school, our success rates have dropped.
“You see kids who are still struggling to do basic English but then you also have really advanced kids who can do university work in Year 11 and that’s a really big gap, so to close that gap just teach the basics properly,” she said.
The Year 12 Tauranga student also wants New Zealand history to be taught properly without bias.
Mcleod-Schmidt said the Government should also provide more funding to schools for more teachers and smaller classrooms.

“We don’t have enough teachers, our class sizes are getting up to 35 students a class, which is really chaotic for one teacher and really chaotic for the 34 other kids in the class.”
​

Additionally, she would like to see more youth-focused policies coming from the coalition.
“Right now they are focusing more on the older generations and it’s not really going to benefit the younger ones and the up-and-coming future of New Zealand.”
Mcleod-Schmidt is a member of Youth Voices Action (YVA), a Tauranga-based organisation that creates safe spaces for rangatahi to share ideas and address issues.
She said YVA wanted to see more mental health services for youth from the upcoming Budget.
More counsellors, more kai“The Government did put money into Gumboot Friday but that doesn’t really help all of us,” she said.
“I think this Government should invest in having counsellors in every kura because mental health is a big part of coming to school, being able to go to school, which the Government also wants to encourage.”
Another kaupapa she wants the Government to change is something it has already announced for this year’s Budget. The new Ka Ora, Ka Ako programme will result in early childhood care students receiving meals but a new model for those in intermediate and secondary schools.
Mcleod-Schmidt wants the programme to be more accessible to secondary school students as she knows some rangatahi are going to school hungry and are not part the current Ka Ora, Ka Ako scheme.
“Talking to some kids [from another school], they were saying how it’s kind of sad how they don’t get lunches because a lot of kids there and at [a different school] don’t take kai to school or they can’t buy kai at school because they don’t have the money.
“Not saying that babies don’t need it but it’s more like older kids need the kai to learn at kura, whereas early childhood kids are more playing. They still do need kai but usually that’s included in their fees,” she said.

The Tauranga Youth Development Team, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to empowering young people in the Bay of Plenty, is thrilled to announce its rebrand to Youth Voices Action. 
This significant transformation includes the adoption of a dynamic new logo, new initiatives and the formation of an internal youth panel, which plays a crucial role in steering the organisation’s direction by providing a fresh youth perspective.
To celebrate the rebrand, YVA is excited to unveil YouthFest, an inspiring festival designed by and for young people.
This inaugural event, aligned with Youth Week, will feature an electrifying line-up of local youth bands such as Requiem, Blah Blah Uh Huh Boo Hoo, and the dynamic duo Ashlee & Simone with their live looping performance, along with Quann.

"YouthFest is proof of the hard work and creative input by our youth panel," says Ara Robinson, a panel member.
"Even though we've had to work with a tight budget, we are learning a lot, especially how much work goes into organising something like this.”
Adam McLean adds, "YouthFest is a fantastic opportunity to showcase all the young talent we have in the Bay and enjoy a fun afternoon together celebrating Youth Week."
The festival will also highlight the extraordinary talents of 11-year-old Nina Smith from Mount Maunganui.
"Performing live makes me feel really good, and I'm excited to bring joy to everyone at the Historic Village during YouthFest," says Nina.

Erika Harvey, General Manager of YVA, who has led the organisation through their strategic re-brand and direction, shared her excitement.
"Our rebranding signifies a renewed dedication to the young people we serve. YouthFest marks the beginning of what we anticipate will be a transformative journey.
"We would love to see the community join us on the 25th and enjoy the hard work that our organisation and our panel have done in bringing this event to life.”
Rebecca Kit, Partnerships and Community Manager, is eager to explore future collaborations. "YouthFest provides an ideal platform for connecting with rangtahi and other organisations. I hope you’ll stop by and say hello," she notes.

YouthFest will also highlight young entrepreneurs, supported by local organisation StandTALL, and will feature a variety of other organisations that support rangatahi, creating numerous networking and growth opportunities.
This year's Youth Week theme, "‘Māwherangi a tama roto ka taka, kāpuia ake ka pūrangiaho’ (‘We may not have it all together, but together we have it all’)," perfectly captures the spirit of the festival.
Free tickets for YouthFest are available online by visiting their website at www.youthvoicesaction.org.nz.
Youth Voices Action gratefully acknowledges the support of its sponsors, including the Tauranga City Council, Creative Communities NZ, Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand, and Ara Taiohi Youth Week, whose contributions have made it possible to bring this event to life.

Join us at the Historic Village, Tauranga on May 25th, 2024, from 1 PM to 4 PM, to celebrate the vibrant energy and potential of our young people.
Bring your picnic blankets and chairs, and enjoy a day filled with music, creativity, and community spirit.

Originally Published: https://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/343058-youth-voices-action--launch-of-youthfest.html

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, said she believed it was 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 said without intervention from the minister, there was 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.”
She believed 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 - showed the need for change.
Glen Crowther, from Sustainable Bay of Plenty, said in his opinion the commission had 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 was concerned big financial decisions were being made without enough community support or input and without “the final say-so of an elected council”.

He called on the Government to signal it was 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 said this was “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.”

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 said.
“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.”

Article: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/tauranga-groups-call-for-simeon-brown-to-limit-commission-to-caretaker-role/5PZXADFL5VFFRGNTGMU4QIIAKI/

​