February 03, 2021
Tauranga clean-out chance for change
A Tauranga kaumatua says tangata whenua are welcoming the appointment of a commission to replace the city’s dysfunctional council.
The commission is chaired by former National government minister Anne Tolley and includes William Wasley, the independent chair of regional development body Smartgrowth, Stephen Selwood, a former chief of infrastructure New Zealand, and Shadrach Rolleston, an expert in the Resource Management Act and iwi relations,
Buddy Mikaere says Mr Rolleston’s appointment, in particular, is seen as positive by tangata whenua.
"Shad's spent a lot of time working on the Smartgrowth project as well. I've worked closely with him on a number of projects around the city. He's calm and sensible so and works hard and makes sure he has got all the information. I'm very much looking forward to working with this group of commissioners," he says.
Mr Mikaere says previous councils have failed to provide the infrastructure needed for the city’s rapid growth or manage its high debt.
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