Te Awanui Ward councillor Mikaere Sydney has resigned as an elected member of the Tauranga City Council, citing ill health.
“Te Awanui Ward councillor Mikaere Sydney and his whānau have notified Tauranga City Council that they wish to prioritise his recovery.
“They and Mikaere have therefore made the tough decision that he resign as an elected member, effective immediately,” the Tauranga City Council said in a statement this afternoon.
Sydney was elected as the representative of Te Awanui Ward at last year’s council election.
The councillor had been on an extended leave of absence “for medical reasons”.
Mayor Mahé Drysdale said he was saddened to learn that Sydney would not be joining the governance team as the council’s first Māori ward councillor.
“My fellow councillors and I were very much looking forward to working with Mikaere when he was well enough, but completely appreciate and respect the decision that he and his whānau have made at this time,” Drysdale said.
“Mikaere is young and talented and has a bright future ahead of him. I’m confident that we will see him play an important role in the Tauranga community in years to come, but for now, his health remains the priority and we offer best wishes for a fast and full recovery.”
A by-election would be held for the vacant Te Awanui Ward seat in due course.
“We want to see the Te Awanui Ward represented as soon as possible and the council will act quickly, within the statutory timeframes, to have arrangements for the by-election put in place.
“Our expectation is that our 10th team member will be joining us at the council table in early-May.”
