It’s a wide and varied field among the 15 candidates vying to become mayor of New Zealand’s fifth largest city as Q+A takes a look at the local election race.
It’s a high-stakes election for Tauranga as the council returns to democracy, with a four-year term in place for the successful candidates.
Corporate types, small business owners, a singer, two engineers, an Olympian, a former mayor and a rugby mascot are among those standing this year.
Several of the mayoral hopefuls were no strangers to Tauranga local government, while others could be counted as fresh faces.
When speaking to Q+A, some who could be described as the “old guard” were keen to distance themselves from the dysfunctional parts of the city’s city council – which have previously called out in independent reports.
Traffic congestion, housing shortages, debt, and rapid population growth are among the pressing challenges the new council will face – and which the candidates address.
Speaking to Q+A, the outgoing commission chair of Tauranga’s council, Anne Tolley, made it clear she wants to see new faces elected when the city returns to the polls.
“Good on those old guys for putting their hands up again. I wouldn’t vote for them. Why would you vote for them a second time around?” she said last month.
For the full story by Q+A’s Whena Owen, watch the video above
Q+A with Jack Tame is made with the support of New Zealand On Air
