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.
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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.”
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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/

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Youth Voices Action is bringing YouthFest to town this May, and this is everything you need to know.
Youth Fest is an innovative youth festival aimed to showcase the talents of young individuals in the community, which is happening on May 25 during Youth Week at the Historic Village.
Young people are working together to make a difference in a world that significantly excludes them from participating in the decision-making process of initiatives intended for their benefit.
Tauranga Youth Development Team, also known as TYDT has formed a new identity, Youth Voices Action.
YVA focuses on giving young people chances to develop themselves, have a say in things that affect them, and work towards making their communities more representative.
“YVA is a name that better reflects our mission and dedication to empowering young voices across the Bay of Plenty,” says general manager of Youth Voices Action, Erika Harvey.
The organisation has a Youth Advisory Panel that is at the forefront of shaping its initiatives, and a 15-year-old from Otumoetai College named Gabrielle Stimpson as its 2024 Youth Ambassador.
YVA 2024 youth Ambassador Gabrielle Stimpson says the organisation gives young people the chance to get involved and work with different people and make a difference among youth.
“YVA is an organisation that wants to inspire and encourage youth to share their opinions in a healthy environment and allow them to express what they feel in the system that they want to change,” says Gabby.
“We are giving feedback to more people of power and showing them that the system isn’t working, what needs to change and how we can all help together.
“YVA aims to be a place in which youth can feel safe to discuss the issues they [young people] are facing and the solutions they have to fix them.
“We are all working together to solve these issues.”
“A lot of youth are struggling. I wanted to get the point across that the system in place isn’t working,” she says.
“YVA is all about making sure younger people are being heard.”
The decisions made about youth are never made by youth, meaning that the solutions often don’t fit and they feel misunderstood and frustrated.
“YVA gives young people an opportunity to give feedback, take Initiative, and become passionate about different issues they want to see change in.
“It helps to explore diverse perspectives and it’s also an amazing environment to express them and work together.
Gabby says those in YVA can learn to compromise between opinions and come up with great solutions.
“Many believe all young people share the same views or think the same way, but that's not the case,” says Erika.
“Participants in our youth panel are learning to find common ground and collaborate with those they might not typically choose as friends.
“Observing them listen to varied viewpoints and work together on solutions is remarkable.
“This highlights the power of teamwork and diverse thinking, transforming differences into strengths.
“Together, Gabby and the panel have been the driving force behind the conception of fresh ideas including an innovative youth festival aimed to showcase the talents of young individuals in our community.


“Youth Fest is all about bringing that local vibe, with youth bands ready to rock out, young entrepreneurs pumped to showcase their cool products, and much more!
“This isn't just any celebration; it's a chance for rangatahi to dive into what they love, boost their confidence, and open up their world, all while having a blast in a safe and supportive space.
“We are actively seeking sponsorships from local businesses passionate about youth development, to sponsor this exciting event and ensure Youth Fest becomes a memorable and impactful experience.
“As we gear up for what promises to be an unforgettable event we’d love to hear from the community,” says Erika.
“YVA often holds events like 100% Summer, Jammin’ in the Park, and FluroFest which is put on each year during mental health awareness week in partnership with Te Whatu Ora BOP and the Tauranga City Council.
“Youth Voices Action is all about giving youth the power to have a say in things that affect them and come up with ideas to help connect youth with more community initiatives (hence YouthFest),” says Erika.
“However, there are times YVA will tackle political issues – as an example, Ara on our Youth Panel is a 19-year-old who wants to see legislative changes where abuse cases against young people are fast-tracked to having their cases heard within 6 months.
“So, we have set up a meeting with our local MP Sam Uffindell so, watch this space,” says Erika.
“Being a part of YVA means that you get involved in events and other initiatives, get volunteering experience, work with a wide range of organisations and different people, learn how to give formal feedback, work alongside a team and overall, make a difference.
“We are currently trying to find corporate sponsors and funding to bring it to life.
“It’s happening at the Historic Village on the 25th of May during YouthWeek.
“Funding right now is really constrained and we really want to bring this event to life as it has huge benefits for young people and our community and the date is quickly approaching.
“Swing by our Facebook or Instagram page @youthvoicesaction and tag youth bands & young entrepreneurs in the BOP you think we need to know about.
“If you’re a business that's all about supporting the next generation who might be interested in sponsoring this event, drop into our DM’s and let us know!
“Every suggestion, tag, and nomination brings us one step closer to turning Youth Fest into a reality that reflects the vibrant spirit of our community,” says Erika.

Original Article here: https://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/339581-youth-voices-action-gears-up-for-youthfest.html

The political system is complex and difficult to oppose.
It can be difficult to make yourself heard when you have an issue with politics. 
Erika Harvey has dedicated her career to levelling the playing field and influencing the government on behalf of the people.
Erika wants to be the bridge between politicians and the community.
Some people are too busy to do it on their own, they don't have the money to hire lawyers or the time to create a lobby.
“In 2019 I ran in my first election because the council had made some decisions and it was affecting a lot of small businesses.
“We were one of them.
“We had just left our job, and put everything we had into this small business, and then the council was making a silly decision and it wasn't even fit for purpose in the area.
“For a few years we kept having these meetings and as we were having meetings, the development was still going ahead.”
It was then that Erika decided she wanted to run in the election.
“Through that election I learned a lot and I learned a lot about processes. I learned a lot about lobbying and how things get done in the city and local and central government.
“I learned a lot about how they make decisions, which is on data, not on feeling, and that most of the people making decisions don't have the expertise in the areas of the decisions that they're making.
“They make those decisions based on the evidence and the data that they have to make them go, ‘Oh, that makes sense, we'll put it through’.
Erika realised the biggest issue is the lack of access to lobbying.
“In New Zealand, we don’t have lobbying regulations.
“The reason why most people don’t lobby is because almost everyone has (like I did), a full-time job, we have bills to pay, we have kids, we have so much other stuff going on in our lives that to follow something in politics, A, it’s boring, and B, it just takes too long and you have to have a lot of time.”
Erika says you also have to have a lot of money, “it requires legal expertise, specialists, sometimes you might need an engineer.”
“The only reason why I ran in these elections was never because I wanted to be a politician, I don’t want to be a politician.
“However, what I really want to do is represent people, communities and voices.”
Erika says she can use her skills through corporate and entrepreneurship to develop solutions and she can then lobby on behalf of people to government.
“That way people have a contact that is invested in helping them.”
“I’m like a bridge between communities and politicians and decision-makers.
“The elections have allowed me to build up my credibility and people know who I am now.
Erika says this will make it easier as people will know that she will do all the work, figure out what she can do and find out what the blockage is and why it’s not going through.
Erika asks people to send in their petitions for her to have a look at and figure out what she can do.
Erika will help to come up with a lobby and come up with the campaign.
“We then crowdfund that lobby from the public to see if they can contribute to towards it and then the funds that we get, we will g and hire our lawyers, the teams we need, financial people, and everything that we need to create the lobby.
“Then we do a marketing campaign as well.”
“We’re looking for ways to level the playing field and influence government on behalf of the people, the people who are too busy to do it on their own, who don’t have the money to hire people, people who love to live here and want ways that they can make a difference, but they're too busy to do it on their own.
“So they can hire us to do it for them.”
“My biggest fear of politics right now is that there is such a distrust that it’s going to make things very hard because you have people who instead of looking for solutions are being angry and getting mad at the wrong people.
“I really want to find a way that we can actually create this bridge.”
Erika says in 2020 you had a portion of Kiwis who were so afraid of the virus they wanted the vaccine, and the other portion of people were so afraid of the vaccine, they would rather catch the virus.
“What the government did is they said, your fears are okay and your fears are not, you guys are crazy.
“You can’t say, your rights matter, but yours don’t.”
Erika says you don’t care about politics and decisions until they directly impact your life or someone that you care about.
“That's usually when people get involved and by that stage, it's usually too late.”
“We're going to be holding workshops in the New Year around, how to create the perfect lobby.
Erika is working on “Creating good lobbyists out there so that people can start not just advocating, but making an impact by following this methodology that we've come up with to help them get traction.
“I encourage the public to start a petition to highlight how many people are affected by some local issues and to submit it to us to lobby on their behalf.
To submit your petition click here.

Article: https://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/335137-a-bridge-between-politicians-and-the-community.html 

“I woke up in the middle of the night as someone was pulling my blankets off me. A strange man was in my bedroom, standing over my bed. I screamed with the loudest noise I’ve ever made. I was petrified.”
Tauranga resident Jem Nikora is still shaken as she recounts her horrific experience of a home invasion, when a man entered her Brookfield home when she and her two young children, aged 11, and 4 were asleep.
”When I screamed, he crouched by my bed as though he was trying to hide, then ran out of the bedroom slamming the door behind him. I got up and ran after him, but he ran out of the back door, the same way he had come in.”
“I called 111 and police arrived with dogs, but they didn’t catch him. A man in a balaclava was spotted on CCTV in the same street – but he hasn’t been caught. It’s terrifying to think he is still around and could do it again to someone else.”
Nikora is one of several Bay of Plenty residents who have been victims in a spate of home invasion burglaries plaguing the city. She was speaking out following a neighbourhood meeting about the crisis which was organised by worried residents and attended by hundreds of people at the weekend.

Nikora is sharing her story so that others are aware of the potential danger.
”I never imagined anything like this could happen as I thought my neighbourhood was very safe. I just want to let people know to be aware, as I don’t want it to happen to them. It affected my mental health really badly – I couldn’t sleep for ages and became obsessive about checking doors and locks. My kids were too scared to sleep at home for days afterwards.”
Nikora has installed security lights and cameras and has a new rescue dog to protect the family.
“The best thing I did was to reach out to other neighbours as their support really helped me – plus knowing each other makes us all safer.”
Another woman who attended the meeting, an 83-year-old woman who lives in the Avenues, told Stuff how a burglar had also entered her bedroom in the middle of the night while she was asleep, and stole her handbags, wallet and her mobile phone which was in her bedside table.
“To get the phone he must have been inches from my head on the pillow. I didn’t wake up. I wear a hearing aid in the day but not when I’m asleep.”

The thief started using her card, spending $800 before the woman’s bank became suspicious due to the time and blocked it.
“It was a paywave card, so they went to all different places and managed to get $800, but thankfully the bank are giving this back to me.”
The woman did not discover the theft until the morning when she was going out to the library and noticed her handbags and phone missing, as well as some of her drawers left open.
“It was cold in the house and when I opened the laundry door I saw they had got in through the garage. They had even been rummaging around in my car, probably looking for the start key, when it was in one of those handbags they had taken. Not very smart.”
The woman, who did not want to give her name because she still felt unsafe, joined other concerned neighbours at the meeting.
Bethlehem resident Erika Harvey organised the residents meeting following an outbreak of home invasions in the area where she lived, where thieves had entered houses in the night, one even raiding the kitchen pantry and fridge – even the chocolate biscuits.
Harvey said it became obvious at the meeting that it was happening more than people realised.

Harvey herself had been a victim of an invasion when a man entered her house when she was in a towel, about to have a shower, and pretended he was a maintenance man who was going to fix the shower.
Harvey’s friend Lisa Zawitkoski said she woke up one morning to find her car doors open, and another neighbour had had her purse stolen the same night. 
Another Bethlehem resident, Candice, was up in the middle of the night watching Stranger Things on Netflix when she noticed a torchlight, and realised someone was walking around her house. She woke up her husband who chased the invader, but he escaped.
The meeting was attended by Western Bay MP Todd Muller, national candidate for Tauranga, Sam Uffindell, as well as representatives from Tauranga Community patrol, Neighbour Watch, and Western Bay council.
Uffindell said he was “deeply concerned” about the rise in home invasions and said that he had met people who had been victims who were very worried about the situation.
“I’m deeply concerned by what I heard and how worried local residents are. People I’ve spoken to say they don’t think our police have the right backing to do the job they need to do and criminals feel like they can get away with anything.”
Uffindell said that if elected, one of his key priorities is to ensure police have the resources needed to crack down on crime in the city.

A representative from Tauranga Community Patrol said the house burglaries were not just isolated to Bethlehem but were a “fact of life at present.”
“Occurrences are happening at any time of the day, and often while people are at home, Some encounter the intruder and some do not realise they have been victims until they discover something missing or things out of place.”
He warned people that thieves are bold and often have a story which can sound convincing to explain their presence.
“Please folks keep doors locked, garage doors down, keys out of your cars and locked, even while in your driveway, and you are tucked away inside.”
He urged people to get to know neighbours, keep a contact list of immediate neighbours, and share information if you see or hear anything out of the norm. 
A police spokesperson said people need to be alert, but not alarmed, and any suspicious behaviour should be reported to police.
“Every incident that is reported contributes to a much bigger picture for police. It gives an idea of patterns of offending that are emerging in the community and helps police hold offenders to account by finding linkages across different, but potentially related, incidents.”

Original Article: ​https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/300611010/home-invasion-surge-i-woke-up-to-a-man-pulling-my-blankets-off-me